Air purifier not working as it should? Where to keep, how to use it properly

Well, you finally pulled the trigger and bought yourself that shiny new box – I mean, air purifier. However, it’s not working the way it should, as you’re still not seeing the results you expected. 

Believe it or not, but for most consumers, that’s a very common story, and that’s because air purifiers will only be as effective as how you use them. A unit that has been misplaced, or if you’re following a few bad habits, can cut its efficiency significantly. 

So to avoid all that, here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of your air purifier.

Also Read: How to test if your home needs an RO water purifier

Pick the right spot for the air purifier placement

First off, where you place your air purifier matters more than most people realise. It’s important to position it in the room where you spend the most time, which is typically going to be either the bedroom or the living room. 

Not only that, but the place plays an important role too. It’s essential to place it near the centre of the room or close to the primary pollution source, which could either be a window or a doorway. It’s also important that you don’t shove it into a corner since the unit would also require open airflow on all sides to circulate air properly. 

Match the purifier to your room 

It’s also important to match the purifier to your room. No, I’m not talking about aesthetics; rather, I’m referring to the actual room size. Every air purifier has a recommended CADR, which is used to decide its coverage area. If you’re using a small-room purifier in a large hall, that can be a costly mistake, as the purifier will simply not have enough power to clear the air. So before you buy a purifier, it becomes important to check the product’s rated room size and match it to your space.

Set the correct fan speed 

First-time buyers mostly put the purifier on the lowest setting and leave it, thinking it would do the job. However, because of the pollution, it’s important to understand that a much better approach is to run the purifier on high speed for at least 30 to 45 minutes and then drop it to a medium or auto mode. This would ensure that the cleaning is done properly. 

Cleaning and replacing filters on schedule

Yet another area that restricts air purifiers significantly is that users forget to replace the old, clogged filter. Not only does it not just reduce performance, but it can also actually push particulates back into the room. The HEPA filters inside would typically need replacement every 6–12 months, depending on usage and local air quality. So it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s schedule, and don’t skip replacements just because the unit is running.

Common mistakes to avoid

Last but not least, as a cheatsheet, check out a list of basic mistakes to avoid to better enhance the cleaning of your air purifier: 

• Avoid placing the unit against a wall, which could block the intake 
• Don’t run it in a large open-plan space that it wasn’t made for
• Make sure you’re not ignoring the filter replacement indicators
• Avoid placing it near a fan or AC vent, which could disrupt its airflow 
• Buying a purifier without a true HEPA filter is basically useless 

With that said, I hope this guide helped you understand how you can place and use an air purifier properly. For more such informative guides like these, keep on reading Digit.in 

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