Where to Place Air Purifier

You reach for healthy foods, exercise, and drink plenty of water for optimal health. However, you may not realize that the air quality you inhale is also important. Low-quality air results in a poor air intake, air pollution, and subpar air circulation.

The good news is you don’t have to resign yourself to this fate. Investing in a high-quality air purifier that contains an activated carbon filter and HEPA filter is a foolproof way of eliminating the wealth of pollutants and contaminants in your home.

However, to make the most of your unit, you’ll need to find the perfect location for it. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about where to place an air purifier. Read on!

Factors to Consider

To determine the best location for your air purifier, here are a few things to consider.

1. The Part of Your House With the Dirtiest Air

You know your home like the back of your hand. Consider whether your basement is moldy, if the smell of fish lingers in your kitchen, and if your bedroom is filled with the smell of a wet dog or is riddled with pet hair.

To make the most of your purifier, we recommend positioning it right at the source. A HEPA air purifier is best at eliminating pet hair, mold, dust, and other airborne particles, whereas an activated carbon filter gets rid of toxic gasses and odours. Using an air purifier in a room with the contaminants and pollutants will guarantee clean air.

2. The Size of the Room

If your air purifier is designed with small spaces in mind, then it won’t get the job done effectively for larger rooms. For instance, a unit that can purify up to 200 square feet is not suitable for a room that is 400 square feet. Contrarily, it would also be a waste of energy to use a purifier designed for large rooms in a small kitchen.

To determine the unit that would work well for your space, consider the CADR. It defines the amount of air filtered per hour for three main pollutants (dust, smoke, and pollen) in Cubic Feet per Minute (CPM).

In a nutshell, the greater the CADR, the quicker an air purifier filters the air. Usually, the CADR of your unit shouldn’t be less than two-thirds of the room’s area in square feet. To save you the hassle of computing the figures manually, an online calculator is readily available to determine the lowest CADR for each room that requires purification.

3. The Level of Airflow

An air purifier is amazing at drawing air. However, the greater the quantity of air, the quicker your unit can filter it. For that reason, purifiers function optimally in open spaces, for example, near a doorway or open window. The immense airflow can effectively eliminate contaminants like mold and dust that spread around your home.

Positioning your unit near a window will prevent these pollutants from making their way around your home. That’s particularly effective if you have pets that are restricted to given rooms in your home.

A purifier between rooms will curb allergens and dander from seeping into other parts of your home. If an open area with plenty of ventilation is an ideal place to put your air purifier, the corners of your home are the worst. Most units absorb air via the front-facing vents. If your unit is tucked away in a corner, these vents are blocked, significantly lowering its overall performance.

As a rule of thumb, make sure there’s at least one foot of room on the front, sides, and back of your purifier to clean the air everywhere in the room rather than small corners. It’s worth noting that few obstacles in the room mean the purifier can filter the air optimally.

4. The Height Above Ground

It goes hand in hand with airflow. Besides moving horizontally, indoor air moves vertically, which means from the floor to the ceiling of your home. The downward motion is mainly determined by temperature changes.

It’s a no-brainer that hot air rises and cool air plummets to take its place. By positioning the unit up to 5 feet above the ground, it can capture the vertical and horizontal air movement. A small air purifier can be positioned on a desk or table to utilize the vertical airflow, whereas a bigger unit can be mounted onto a wall.

5. Next to a Window or Open Door

Although excellent airflow is essential, the last thing you want is to overwork your purifier. Putting it near open doors or windows allows outdoor air to flow in. The unit will get rid of the pollutants in the air by utilizing energy that can be channeled to the indoor air quality.

Nonetheless, with a top-notch purifier, you’ll notice a considerable difference in the quality of your indoor air even when the windows are open.

Source: Amazon

6. Electronics Nearby

Like other electronics, an air purifier functions on wavelengths. Putting the unit overly close to other appliances can negatively impact its functionality. A purifier that depends on advanced technology components is particularly susceptible to interference. Therefore, we recommend maintaining a five-foot distance between your unit and other electronics.

7. The Level of Humidity in the Room

High levels of humidity in the atmosphere make the air heavy. In turn, that makes it an uphill battle for your air purifier to get the job done effectively. Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most humid rooms in the house, which means they require air purification. For rooms with higher humidity levels, you can also use a dehumidifier for optimum effectiveness.

FAQ

Let’s discuss the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding air purifier placement.

1. Should I place my air purifier below or above furniture?

No! Air purifiers work best when there is good airflow, which is why it operates optimally without obstructions around it. It’s crucial to avoid putting your unit above or below furniture such as a table or couch, which restricts proper airflow.

While you might be tempted to put a smaller unit on your bookshelf or in a closet because it’s aesthetically pleasing, you’ll notice a considerable decrease in its performance. The best place to put it is in the center of the room.

2. Should you pair an air purifier with similar units?

If you have other devices designed for air humidification, conditioning, filtration, or dehumidification, decide on the one you’ll use. Airflow is important, so if the air is pushed or pulled from all directions, the efforts for a purifier to eliminate pollutants and contaminants in the room will prove futile.

Furthermore, if you live in a dusty or polluted area, we advise against opening the windows or doors while the air purifier is working as it is counterproductive. After all, your unit is working hard to purify the polluted outdoor air.

3. Should you put your air purifier aboveground or on the floor?

Depending on the model you opt for, the manufacturer will inform you of the ideal position in the user manual. If they recommend mounting the unit onto the wall, do so for optimal performance.

Large models designed to purify big room sizes can be positioned on the ground as they are powerful enough to get the job done perfectly. If you have a small purifier, it’s advisable to put it next to you on a table or desk at the recommended distance.

The unit will function better in an elevated position as it won’t have to suck air from underneath. Smaller units are also portable. That also ushers in the flexibility of positioning them in various rooms that require air purification.

4. Should you put your air purifier anywhere?

You can bring it along with you around the house as you deem necessary for constant fresh air. However, if your unit is too bulky and cumbersome to move from one room to another, you should put it in the room that requires the most purification. If the issue is pet dander, mold, or dust, then putting your unit in the living room would be a wise move.

5. What’s the best direction for an air purifier to face?

The front side should face the area opposite where your bedroom is located. That means when you step into the doorway of your bedroom facing it, the direction of your back is where you want to place the purifier.

6. Should you sleep with your air purifier on?

Yes! It’s advisable to switch on your air purifier during bedtime for optimal breathing when you’re in a deep slumber. It promotes better health even when you’re asleep.

7. How long does an air purifier take to get the job done?

Although the duration varies based on the location of your purifier, the quality of air, and the size of your room, it takes 30-45 minutes to purify a small room and up to 3 hours for bigger spaces.

To Wrap Up

Location is a game of strategy when deciding where to place air purifier. Armed with invaluable insight into the factors to consider, you can make an informed decision. Additionally, you have free rein to move a portable purifier around your home for optimal performance.