As a Certified Indoor Air Quality Consultant, clients often ask the best place to put an air purifier.
One important factor to consider when placing your air purifier is the size of the room. According to Better Homes & Gardens experts, choosing a purifier appropriately sized for your space is important.
- too small for the room, it won’t be able to filter the air effectively.
- too large for the room, it will use more energy than necessary and may produce excess noise.
Place your air purifier on the floor where it can capture the maximum amount of airborne pollutants. Look for spaces with high air circulation, such as the living room or bedroom.
Recommended Reading: Best Air Purifier for Large Rooms
If you’re dealing with pet dander, placing the air purifier in the room where your pets spend the most time will yield the best results. Avoid blocking the intake or exhaust vents of the purifier, as this can hinder its performance.
It’s important to avoid placing it near obstacles blocking the intake, such as furniture or curtains.
Understanding Air Purifiers
Air purifiers help remove pollutants, allergens, and other harmful particles from the air. They work by drawing in air, filtering it, and then releasing clean air into the room. The filters inside the purifier trap pollutants like airborne dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, and smoke, which can cause respiratory problems.
Different portable air purifiers, each with unique features, are available in the market. The most common types include HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and UV-C light purifiers.
HEPA filters are the most popular type of air purifier as they are highly effective at removing pollutants from the air. They work by trapping airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, smaller than a human hair’s width.
Activated carbon filters are another type of air purifier that helps to remove unpleasant odors and harmful chemicals from the air. They work by absorbing these air particles into the filter. UV light purifiers use ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria and viruses in the air.
When choosing an air purifier, it is important to consider the size of the room where it will be placed. Most are designed to work in specific room sizes. You should also consider the type of filter used in the purifier, the device’s noise level, and energy efficiency.
Air purifiers effectively improve the poor air quality in your home or office. They can help to reduce the symptoms of allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
Importance of Air Purifier Placement
When it comes to air purification, the placement of your air purifier is crucial. The right placement can make all the difference in the effectiveness of your air purifier.
Central Positioning
The central positioning of your air purifier is essential to ensure the air in your room is circulating correctly. Ideally, you want to place your air purifier in the room where you spend the most time. This could be your bedroom, living room, or home office. When placed in a central location, it can effectively clean the air in the entire room.
Avoid Obstructions
When placing your air purifier, be sure there are no obstructions that could hinder the airflow. Furniture, curtains, and other objects can prevent the air purifier from effectively cleaning the air. Therefore, placing it in an open area with adequate airflow is important.
Consider the Size of the Room
The size of the room is an important factor to consider when determining the placement of your air purifier. If you have a large room, you may need to place multiple air purifiers in different locations to ensure the air is adequately cleaned. On the other hand, one may be sufficient if you have a small room.
Distance from Harmful Pollutants
Another important factor to consider is the distance between your air purifier and the source of indoor air pollutants. For example, if you have a smoker in your home, you may want to place the air purifier closer to them to clean the air they are breathing effectively.
If you have pets, setting the unit closer to their bed or litter box can help reduce pet dander and odors.
Recommended Reading: Best Air Purifier for Pets
Best Room for Air Purifier
Consider a few things when choosing the best room for your air purifier. The room’s size, the air purifier’s location, and the type of pollutants you are trying to remove are all important factors to remember.
Living Room
The living room is often the most used in the house, making it a great place to put your air purifier. It is typically the house’s largest room, meaning you will need a larger air purifier to cover the entire space. When placing your air purifier in the living room, keep it away from walls and large pieces of furniture, which could block air intake.
Bedroom
The bedroom is another great place to put your air purifier. Since you spend a lot of time sleeping in your bedroom, ensuring the air you breathe is clean and healthy is important. When placing your air purifier in the bedroom, consider putting it around 6-10 feet from the headboard, opposite the door, to draw air from across the room and filter it near where you sleep.
Kitchen
The kitchen is a great place to put your air purifier to remove cooking odors and other kitchen pollutants. When placing your air cleaner in the kitchen, keep it away from the stove and other heat sources. Choosing a unit with an activated carbon filter to remove cooking odors and other kitchen pollutants, such as smoke and grease.
Ideal Placement in Room
When placing an air purifier in your room, there are a few factors to consider. This section will discuss the ideal placement in your room.
Near the Door
One of the best places to put your air purifier is near your room door. This placement allows the air purifier to capture the pollutants before they enter your room. By placing it near the door, you can ensure the air in your room is clean and fresh.
Close to Pollutant Source
Another ideal placement for your air purifier is close to the source of pollutants. For example, if you have a pet, you can place the air purifier near your pet’s bed to capture the pet dander. Similarly, if you have a smoker in your house, you can set it near them to capture the smoke and odor.
Away from Electronics
It is important to keep your air purifier away from electronics such as televisions, computers, and speakers. These electronics can generate electromagnetic fields that interfere with the air purifier’s performance. Therefore, keeping a distance of at least two feet between the appliance and any electronics is recommended.
The ideal placement of an air purifier in your room depends on various factors. Considering the abovementioned factors, you can ensure your air purifier is placed in the optimal location to capture pollutants and provide clean and fresh air.
Factors Affecting Air Purifier Placement
When it comes to placing your air purifier, there are several factors you need to consider to ensure it is functioning effectively. In this section, we will discuss the three main factors that can affect the placement of your air purifier.
Room Size
The size of your room is a crucial factor that can affect the placement of your air purifier. If you have a large room, you may need to consider placing the air purifier in the center to ensure it can cover a larger area. On the other hand, if you have a smaller room, you can place the air purifier near the source of pollution.
Airflow
The airflow in your room is another important factor that can affect the placement of your air purifier. You need to ensure the air purifier is not obstructed by any objects, such as furniture or curtains, which can prevent the proper circulation of air. Placing it in an area with good airflow can help it to function more efficiently.
Type of Pollutants
The type of pollutants you want to remove from your room can also affect the placement of your air purifier. For example, if you want to remove smoke or cooking odors, you may need to place the air purifier near the source of pollution. On the other hand, if you want to remove allergens or dust particles, you can set the device in a central location in the room.
FAQs
Should you leave the air purifier on all day?
It is generally recommended to leave the air purifier on all day to maintain continuous air purification.
Is it better to put an air purifier on the floor or table?
It is generally better to place an air purifier on the floor than on a table. Placing the air purifier on the floor allows it to draw in air from a larger area and capture more contaminants. Additionally, putting it on the floor can help distribute purified air evenly throughout the room.
Where is the best place to put an air purifier in a classroom?
The best place to put an air purifier in a classroom is in a central location with good air circulation, away from obstacles and obstructions. This can help ensure the purifier effectively cleans the air throughout the space.
How many air purifiers do I need?
The number of air purifiers you need depends on the size of the area you want to purify and the air quality concerns you have. We recommend having one air purifier per room or 500-700 square feet of space. For specific air quality issues, you may need multiple air purifiers or larger rooms.
Conclusion
Placing your air purifier in the right location is crucial for effective air purification. Consider factors such as the room’s size, the air pollution’s main source, and the airflow direction when deciding where to place your purifier.
Avoid placing it near objects obstructing intake and airflow, such as curtains or furniture. Place it on a level and stable surface to prevent it from falling over.
If multiple rooms require air purification, consider using multiple air purifiers to ensure each room has clean air. Finally, regularly clean and maintain the unit to ensure it functions effectively.
