How to set up an air purifier

An air purifier can be the difference between clean, quality air, and air riddled with harmful allergens. Whether you have recently brought home a new air purifier or have owned one for several years, you need to set it up correctly, to get the best results. With the right set-up and regular maintenance, you can ensure that your air purifier works well to remove harmful allergens.

Like leaving space on the side and back of the refrigerator or keeping an air cooler closer to the window, an air purifier’s efficiency and performance will also be enhanced by setting it up in a particular way. And we’ve put together this little guide to tell you just how to go about it. 

Air purifier for homes: How to set them up

While it is ideal to refer to the user manual that came with your air purifier, there are a few steps to follow while setting it up, regardless of the brand.

1. Inspect and install the air filter

The first step in setting up an air purifier should be installing the air filter, if it isn’t already installed. Air purifiers come with at least one air filter and you will need to remove them from their packaging and install them, before using the purifier. If your air purifier came pre-installed with an air filter, remove the packaging or filter wrappers before use.

2. Choose the best position for optimal use

Placing the air purifier at least a foot from the wall and any furniture is recommended for the best performance. Some manufacturers recommend placing your air purifier closer to the room’s midpoint where you are using it.

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This distance between your wall and the air purifier also depends on the size of your room. Consider placing your air purifier three feet from the wall for a smaller room. If you are unable to work out the distance, just ensure that your air purifier is able to draw in air and circulate it throughout the room without any obstruction.

3. Close all doors and windows, and avoid obstacles

Regardless of where you place your air purifier, you need to make sure the grilles are clear of any obstruction. This includes any furniture, curtains, and other obstacles that may come in the way of your air purifier’s performance. Your air purifier should also face into the room and not towards a wall or furniture. If the outside air is poor and you are using the air purifier, keep the doors and windows closed so your air purifier can function optimally. 

Room air purifiers: Additional tips for setting them up

While the process to set up an air purifier is quite straightforward, here are a few additional things to keep in mind

1. One purifier per room

For the best result, you should use one purifier for each room instead of using a single purifier to clean a large area. If you want to clean the air in both the living room and the bedroom, it is recommended to get a purifier for each room or move your air purifier across these rooms for the best result.

2. Room-size consideration

While manufacturers use room size as a measure to choose the best air purifier for your home, there is no harm in choosing a larger air purifier than the recommended size. A purifier rated for a larger space will be able to operate at a lower, quieter speed and clean the air more effectively in your space.

3. Run air purifiers 24/7

It is recommended to run your air purifier 24/7 in either a quiet setting, or in auto mode so the device automatically adjusts the fan speed and addresses any change in your air quality. During winter and other times when the air quality drops, it is recommended to run your air purifier on a high setting for an hour before switching to medium or auto mode.

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4. Maintenance

For best performance, you should either vacuum, wipe down, or rinse the prefilter once every month. Since the prefilter catches larger particles, keeping it clean directly improves the performance of the HEPA filter. You should also follow your air purifier manufacturer’s recommended and schedule filter replacement for optimal performance.

The above steps will vary depending on the model of your air purifier or where you place it. But if followed as part of the set-up process, your air purifier should work well to deliver optimal performance and clean air throughout the day. In addition to the above, you should also choose the original filters offered by the manufacturer even if they are more expensive than third-party offerings.