If you've just jumped on the bandwagon that is the air purifier hype, then you might already have a couple of questions on your mind. One of them is probably, "how long to run air purifier?"
The answer to this question depends on several factors: your intended usage, your usage duration, how you maintain your unit, and your energy usage.
Although air purifiers won't really put a significant dent in your electricity costs, operational costs plus maintenance costs might pile up at the end of the month and create a heap of problems.
However, this is not always the case. In fact, many people are very happy with their air purifier units, which is where all the good reviews come from! To know how long you should run your air purifier unit, read this guide to find out all you need to know.
How Long to Run Air Purifier: Short Answer
Air purifiers don't necessarily have to run for long periods of time. In fact, if you have one of those effective air purifiers or a smart air purifier, then the hours of their operation will probably be 12 hours, or even less if the air in the intended area is relatively pollution-free.
However, to keep this rate stable, there are a few things to keep in mind, like whether or not you have a medical condition inhibiting you from breathing the air in your house. In that case, you'll probably have to run your air purifier even while sleeping.
However, keep in mind that you'll need an energy-efficient air purifier with a good watt rating to minimize energy consumption as much as possible.
Finally, maintaining your unit on a regular basis will affect how long you'll run your air purifier, as an unclean filter will force your unit to consume twice the energy, working almost twice the amount of time. Even then, it won't be as effective in removing indoor air pollution.
Which Time Is the Right Time?
1.Medical Conditions
If you have a medical condition preventing you from breathing indoor air, a quality air purifier will eliminate indoor contaminants and allergens.
Examples of contaminants and allergies are mold spores, pollen, pet hair, dander, or any airborne particles that might trigger asthma attacks. Since the spread of some of these pollutant particles is seasonal, you'll only have to run your air purifier around that time.
2.Air Quality in Your House
On the other hand, if the air quality in your house isn't particularly healthy, you'll have to opt for an air purifier with a carbon filter, or a HEPA filter, since they're known to capture even the smallest of particles, and thus, keep the air clean. Depending on your purifier's fan speed, you can reduce or extend the amount of time it runs.
3.Energy Efficiency
Some people look for the best energy-efficient solutions, and you can find such solutions in energy-efficient air purifiers, especially those with air quality sensors. Also, air purifiers come with an energy star rating, so this should give you an idea of how much energy it'll consume and, accordingly, how long you'll run it.
4. Sleeping Hours
As mentioned earlier, there's only one case in which you'll critically need to run your air purifier when you're sleeping; that's when you have a medical condition. Otherwise, there won't be a need to if you already have a powerful air purifier that you keep running all day.
Purifier Maintenance
Since this is the best and easiest thing you could do to minimize the amount of time your purifier runs, it's essential to know the best maintenance strategies that house owners commonly use. Here are some tips and tricks:
- Make sure to check the air purifier's filter indicator
- If you have a pre-filter, wash it on a regular basis
- The area around the air purifier should always be clean
- Don't cover or place anything on top of the air purifier
- HEPA and carbon filters can't be washed, so don't use a vacuum on them. Instead, find a suitable replacement
- Use a dry cloth to clean the air purifier
- Don't use any solvent or detergent to clean the air purifier unless the product is intended for your type of air purifier
- Turn off the air purifier when cleaning
FAQs
Is It Safe to Keep Your Air Purifier Running All the Time?
Since these units have already been tested for safety, they're perfectly safe for usage, even if they're running 24/7. In terms of indoor pollution, it'd actually be safer to run them all the time as they'll trap any harmful pollutants.
How Long Does It Take an Air Purifier to Clean the Air in a Room?
That depends on what model you have and which filter comes with your air purifier. Generally, it takes 45 minutes to 3 hours to purify the air in a specific room. Yet, it depends on the size of your room and how large your unit is.
What Is the CADR Rating?
The CADR rating is a number that indicates how many cubic feet an air purifier will remove pollutants (smoke, pollen, and dust) effectively every minute. Effectiveness is proportional to the room's size, so if you have the right-sized unit, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
4.How Often Will I Need to Replace the Air Filter in My Unit?
Generally speaking, pre-filters need to be changed every 4 to 5 months. HEPA filters should be changed every 2 to 4 years. These periods will vary depending on several factors, like tobacco smoke, dander, and more. Be sure to check the filter indicator every once in a while.
In Conclusion
That should sum up the answers to your concerns! If you haven't yet purchased an air purifier, then you're in luck since you'll be able to make use of the information here to buy a suitable model.
Be sure to prioritize your needs, though, as this will serve as an indicator of long you're actually going to be using the air purifier.
