When purchasing an air purifying system, many factors should be considered. Capacity, filtering, and features are all essential considerations when completing a purchase. If you already have an air purifier and are trying to determine where to put it to ensure clean air, you've come to the right place. The most essential aspect of selecting a location for your air purifier is to ensure it is positioned as close to the source of contaminants as possible. The best place to put an air purifier is near the source of the pollution and in an area that maximizes air circulation.

If you are trying to find the best air purifier for your home, you can check my guide on Selecting the Best Air Purifier. If you already have your air purifier and are looking to maximize its effectiveness with the best air purifier placement, check out the important tips regarding air purifiers below! Looking to mitigate wildfire smoke? Check out my blog post How to filter Wildfire smoke.

Position the Air Purifier Close to the Source of Contaminants

Air purifiers are designed to clean the air in a room by removing harmful air pollutants, such as dust, pollen, and smoke. Placing an air purifier in the right location within a room is crucial to maximizing its effectiveness. Here are some of the best places to put an air purifier in a room:

Near The Source Of Air Pollution

One of the most effective places to put an air purifier is near the source of air pollution. For example, if you have a pet that sheds hair or dander, place the air purifier near your pet's bed or favorite spot. If you have a smoker in your household, put the air purifier near their smoking area. By placing the air purifier near the source of the pollution, you can help capture and filter out these pollutants before they spread throughout the room. Once the pollutants have spread throughout the home, they are much more difficult to capture and remove from the air.

In The Center of The Room

Placing the air purifier in the center of the room can help ensure that it can filter the maximum amount of air. This is especially important if you have a larger room with poor air circulation. Placing the air purifier in the center of the room allows it to pull in air from all directions and circulate it back into the room. I often see air purifiers tucked away in the corner of a room which is actually one of the worst locations for an air purifier.

Near Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are common sources of outdoor pollutants, such as pollen and dust that can enter the room. While leaving the window open is a source of fresh air, it also allows many known allergens to enter the living space. Placing the air purifier near windows and doors can help capture these pollutants before spreading them throughout other surfaces in the room. Additionally, if you live in an area with high levels of air pollution or traffic, placing the air purifier near windows and doors can help protect you from these pollutants.

In The Bedroom

The bedroom is a particularly important place to have an air purifier, as this is where you spend a significant portion of your time sleeping. Placing the air purifier in the bedroom can help filter out allergens such as dust mites and pet dander, which can disrupt sleep and cause respiratory issues. Additionally, some air purifiers have a "sleep mode" that operates more quietly than others, making them ideal for use in the bedroom. Not all air purifiers have this feature, so if decibel level is a concern while sleeping, be sure to research an air purifier model with this feature.

In The Living Room

The living room is another common area where people spend much of their time. It is also a place where many indoor pollutants are generated, such as smoke from cooking or fireplace emissions. Placing an air purifier in the living room can help remove these pollutants from dirty air, improving the room's overall air quality and reducing the risk of respiratory problems.

Factors to Consider When Deciding Where to Place an Air Purifier

Several factors must be considered when deciding where to place an air purifier in a room. Here are some of the most important factors:

Size of The Room

The size of the room is an important consideration when deciding where to place an air purifier. The larger the room, the more powerful the air purifier must be to filter the air effectively. It is also important to consider the furniture placement and other objects in the room, as these can affect the air flow and distribution of pollutants.

Level of Air Pollution in the Room

The level of air pollution in a room can vary depending on several factors, such as the presence of pets, smokers, or even mold spores. Suppose the level of air pollution is high. In that case, it may be necessary to place the air purifier closer to the source of pollution in order to capture the pollutants more effectively.

Source of Air Pollution in the Room

The source of air pollution in the room is an important consideration when deciding where to place an air purifier. If your primary concern is the outside pollutants entering your living space, you should determine where your fresh air intake is located and place the air purifier as close to it as possible. For example, if you have a pet, you may want to place the air purifier near the pet's bed or in the room where they spend the most time. If you have a smoker in the household, setting the air purifier near their smoking area can help capture and filter out the smoke.

The Layout of the Room

The room's layout is an important factor to consider when deciding where to place an air purifier. For example, if the room has a lot of corners or nooks, it may be more difficult for the small air purifier used to circulate the air effectively. Additionally, the location of doors and windows can affect air flow distribution and pollutants.

The Location of Windows and Doors in the Room

The location of windows and doors in the room can affect the effectiveness of an air purifier. For example, if the room has a window or door that opens directly to a busy street, it may be necessary to place the air purifier near the window or door in order to capture pollutants from outside. Additionally, if the room has a lot of windows or doors, it may be necessary to place multiple air purifiers in different locations in order to filter the air effectively.

Worst Places to Put an Air Purifier in a Room

While there are several great places to put an air purifier in a room, some locations should be avoided. Here are some of the worst places to put an air purifier:

In the Corner of the Room

Wall mounted air purifiers are convenient due to their small footprint and do not take up any floor space, but they are not as effective in circulating air and improving indoor air quality. Although it may be tempting to tuck the air purifier into the corner, placing it in the room's corner can limit the air flow and reduce its effectiveness. This is because corners tend to have less air circulation and can obstruct the airflow around the air purifier from capturing pollutants in the room. Additionally, if the air purifier is placed too close to a wall, it can cause the air to circulate in a limited area and may cause a buildup of pollutants in certain areas of the room. This is why wall mounted air purifiers are typically not recommended.

Behind Furniture or Obstacles

Putting an air purifier behind furniture or other obstacles can obstruct the air flow and reduce its air purifier's effectiveness. If the air purifier is blocked by furniture or other objects, it may not be able to properly filter the air in the room. This is because the air purifier needs to be able to circulate the air in the room to capture pollutants effectively.

Near a Heat Source or Air Conditioning Vent

Placing an air purifier near a heat source or air conditioning vent can affect performance. This is because the temperature and humidity levels near a heat source or vent can affect the air quality and may cause the air purifier to work less effectively. Additionally, if the air purifier is too close to a heat source or vent, it may cause the air to circulate in a limited area and reduce its overall effectiveness.

Humid Locations

Placing air purifiers in very humid locations, such as bathrooms or other areas with high moisture levels, is generally not recommended. High humidity levels can create a favorable environment for the growth of mold and bacteria, which can reduce the effectiveness of the air purifier and even cause it to release harmful particles back into the air. Read more on my blog post - How to prevent mold and Mildew in your home

If you need to use an air purifier in a humid location, it is crucial to choose a model specifically designed for this purpose. Look for air purifiers with washable or replaceable filters that can be easily cleaned to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Some air purifiers also come with features like built-in dehumidifiers or UV-C lights that can help reduce the growth of mold and other microorganisms in humid environments.

Overall, if possible, it is best to avoid placing air purifiers in very humid locations. Instead, place them in dry, well-ventilated areas where they can effectively capture pollutants and provide clean, healthy air. If you need to use an air purifier in a humid environment, choose a model specifically designed for this purpose and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance and cleaning to ensure optimal performance.

How Does an Air Purifier Clean Air?

Most air purifiers will use a combination of methods to remove airborne particles and other air contaminants. Some units are strictly mechanical filtration utilizing HEPA filters and an activated carbon filter to remove contaminants and mitigate bad smells. Some units incorporate other capabilities such as Ionization, UV lights, and O-zone generation to break down pollutants.

Do Air Purifiers require Maintenance?

Generally residential style air purifiers do not require much maintenance. It is important to check the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure you keep your unit operating properly. Often, the only maintenance is keeping up on the filters. Most air purification units will use a pre filter that will need to be changed most often. A pre filter captures large particles and prevents the more expensive HEPA filter from loading up prematurely. The HEPA filter will do most of the purification, and the replacement frequency will depend on use and location.

Read all about different filter types here: Types of HVAC Filters and Their Uses

Conclusion

Overall, the best place to put your air purifier depends on the specific needs of your household. Air purifiers are essential devices that help improve the air quality in our homes and workplaces; filtering out harmful pollutants and allergens can provide us with cleaner and healthier air to breathe. By choosing the right location, you can help ensure that your air purifier can effectively filter the air and improve the overall air quality of your home. By taking these precautions and placing your air purifier in an optimal location, you can ensure that it functions at its best and provides you with the cleanest air possible. Investing in an air purifier and correctly placing it in your room to filter as much air as possible can significantly impact your overall health and well-being.

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