Nowadays, air purifiers are a common sight in households. We use them to maintain the air quality in our home office, deodorize the kitchen, and help us sleep through the night. There are numerous situations where an air purifier may be necessary. Some are even used to prevent the spread of viruses. It is impossible to overstate the value of and reliance on this equipment. However, even the best air purifiers’ performance can deteriorate if they are not properly maintained.
You might have recently realized that your air purifier uses less electricity or needs to perform better than you had hoped. In either event, many domestic issues affect an air purifier’s efficiency, which can be lessened or resolved with a few simple adjustments. Here, we’ll explain exactly what’s stopping your air purifier from performing at its optimum and how to fix it.
Here are 5 strategies to increase your air purifier’s efficiency.
Replace the filter
Your air purifier continuously circulates air through numerous filter layers each time you use it, which causes airborne pollutants to cling to and accumulate on each layer persistently. These particles will ultimately get to the point where your air purifier will eventually struggle to pass the air through, significantly lowering its CADR and overall performance if left uncontrolled. For this reason, you must not disregard the cries for a new filter.
If your machine has smart connectivity, some devices have sensors that can send notifications to your smartphone or indication lights to let you know when your filter needs to be changed. If there is no such notice on the machine, you may need to consult your manual for how frequently to replace it; suggestions typically range from 6 months to a year. The frequency of filter replacement ultimately depends on usage; therefore, using your air purifier sparingly may extend its lifespan. The cost of filters should always be considered when purchasing an air purifier because they may be rather pricey.
It’s uncommon, but air purifiers like the Onelife X air purifier do exist that never require the filter to be changed. However, these designs are frequently costly, and you will still need to wash the filter as needed.
Location
Even if some air purifiers undoubtedly need help looking attractive, once you get one home, you can’t simply hide it behind the couch – not if you want it to function correctly. For maximum results, an air purifier must be able to accurately draw in clean air, disperse it around the room, and then ‘breathe’ by having space to ventilate. That suggests ideally leaving it unobstructed in the open without any hindrances.
Some air purifiers look better than others and can even be customized in multiple colors to suit your home; our winner, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto, makes this feasible if you’re concerned about how it will affect your decor. Or, if you’re short on space, some air purifiers, like the IKEA Fornuftig, may be placed on a wall for convenience. However, we always advise prioritizing performance over aesthetics because there would be no reason to spend in the first place.
Keep in mind the recommended room size for your air purifier as well; if the space is considerably larger than what it can manage, this could cause your air purifier’s poor performance. Move it to a more convenient location and purchase a more powerful air purifier for large rooms, or purchase a second one to assist the one you already have. On the other hand, if you’re purifying a small area, keep in mind that compact designs may provide more than you require. We advise the Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto for compact spaces.
Switch to automatic
Nowadays, most air purifiers come with an auto setting, so if yours does too, use it. With this feature, your air purifier will automatically modify the fan speed following the air quality detected by sensors. This ensures that your air purifier only consumes a little energy to purify your air. It also implies that the purifier will pick up the slack if a pollutant is unexpectedly found in your house.
Since it effectively gives you additional power, this might enhance your air purifier’s operation. You’re not always using the best option if you stick to a modest and consistent fan speed. Try switching to the auto setting and letting your air purifier decide on the fan speed. While the highest fan speed setting on specific models can be loud, it will only be utilized when necessary.
Utilize the many options that your air purifier has to offer. Check if there is a night mode if you want to use it at night but can’t sleep through the lights on the device. This will still affect the air while lowering the brightness of the lights and the fan speed to promote sleep.
Clean it up
One appliance we frequently overlook cleaning is an air purifier, significantly since the filters can be changed. However, you should still regularly inspect your air purifier to prevent dust buildup around the vents and sensors, which could negatively affect its effectiveness.
Turn off the device and wipe the exterior with a damp microfiber cloth, not touching any electrical parts. You can clean the vents’ dust with a gentle brush if necessary. If your model has an air quality sensor, find it (check your manual for guidance). To clean the sensor, adhere to the manufacturer’s care instructions. If none are provided, vacuum the sensor’s cavity with one of the best vacuum cleaners after using a cotton swab to remove extra dust. For guidance, the sensor needs to be cleaned every few months.
Keep the doors and windows closed
Leaving your windows and doors open while your air purifier is running is counterproductive, even though fresh air is necessary, and air purifiers cannot replace this. Any pure air will exit, while any contaminants from the outside will keep coming in. When your air purifier is on, keep the windows and doors closed. Only open them after the air purifier has been turned off.
Choose the optimal times to let the outside in by alternating between the two. You can use this as a reference to determine when it’s best to open the windows because, for example, conditions might be harsher in the early morning than in the afternoon, depending on your location and the type of pollution you’re trying to avoid. For up-to-date information, utilize AirNow.
