Where to Put an Air Purifier (And How Many You Need)
Wondering Where to Put an Air Purifier? We Know Just the Place!
Your air purifier can be an excellent tool to help maintain superb indoor air quality. To make the most of your device, make sure you not only replace the filters regularly but also put it in a position to succeed.
Literally.
A few variables influence how effective your air purifier is, but placement is likely the most important.
Where to Place Your Air Purifier for the Best Results
There are a few things to consider before you arrange your device and turn it on. We’ve prioritized which elements of placement make the biggest impact, from the most important to the least important.
Place the Air Purifier Near the Odor
Put your device nearest the source of odors or possible allergens. This may be different in every home, but focus on areas with what you perceive as the dirtiest air. Some optimal places might be:
- Near your dog’s bed
- In the kitchen near the stove
- In rooms with a lot of fabric or material that is susceptible to gathering dust
No one knows your home as well as you do. Start with the areas you suspect may contribute to poor indoor air quality.
Give Your Air Purifier Room to Work
Air purifiers work by circulating air, and they need space to do it. Air purifiers should be at least 6 inches away from walls, doors, or furniture. Running the device in tight spaces or with other items nearby reduces the amount of airflow the device can generate with its intake fan.
Keep Your Air Purifier Away from Heat
Air purifiers work hard and can get hot after a period of use. To prevent overheating and potentially damaging your device, keep it away from vents or radiators. Avoid running your unit for sustained periods while it is in direct sunlight.
Put Your Air Purifier in a Dry Space
Moisture in basements, attics, or bathrooms can damage your air purifier. Exposure to excess moisture may also affect the performance of the purifier’s filter and necessitate more frequent replacements. To reduce humidity in a space, opt for a dehumidifier or contact One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning® to learn more about managing moisture with your HVAC system.
Keep Your Air Purifier Away from Electronics
Some air purifiers can affect other nearby electronics. Microwaves, stereos, and some televisions are the most likely to be affected. It’s fine to place an air purifier in the living room, but make sure it stays 6 feet away from your TV. Not all electronics are impacted by air purifiers, but we recommend taking careful note of devices that use fans or have openings for cables and other connections. Air purifiers pull and push air, potentially causing swirling particles to land in these openings or on fans.
How Many Air Purifiers Do I Need?
The number of air purifiers you need often depends on your degree of sensitivity to airborne irritants and odors. Allergy sufferers may need more devices running throughout the home and keep those devices running more often compared to those who are not particularly sensitive to pollen, dust, and dander.
The most effective use of an air purifier is to use it where it is needed most. Consider running an air purifier near the most likely source of airborne irritants, such as your dog’s bed. You may then decide on a second air purifier to place in the room where you spend the most time, like the living room or home office.
Can I Put Multiple Air Purifiers in A Room?
You can put multiple purification devices in one room. Air purifiers are rated to clean air in rooms up to a certain size, so make sure you’re not wasting money. You wouldn’t need to run two air purifiers designed to clean air in spaces up to 600 square feet, each, in a room half the size.
Make sure the air purifiers are working together as well. Most air purifiers have both an intake fan to pull in untreated air and an exhaust fan to circulate clean air. Be sure that none of these fans is directed at another device.
Is There an Air Purifier for Multiple Rooms?
Instead of moving your air purifier from room to room or buying multiple units, consider installing a whole-home air purifier. A whole-home air purifier is designed to filter the air of a larger interior environment through a system of air pipes or as an attachment to your home’s existing HVAC air handler. This makes the most of your home’s existing vents and fans while still enhancing its ability to filter a high volume of air.
Air Purifier Placement Tips and Takeaways
- Always replace your air purifier’s filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Keep your device away from heat sources.
- Keep your device away from moisture or areas with high humidity.
- Place your device at least 6 inches from walls, furniture, or other items while in use.
- Place your air purifier near the most likely source of indoor air pollution.
- Consider investing in an air purifier that shuts off automatically with a timer.
- Place your air purifier in a room where you spend most of your time.