Depending on the type and how effectively it filters the air, air purifier filters have varying lifespans. For example, a HEPA filter uses multiple layers of porous material to trap dust and other airborne particles. When this material is saturated, it can no longer effectively filter the air and must be replaced.
One of the most practical options is a HEPA filter, but what exactly is that? Do you need to keep replacing them, and if so, why? Is there a particular air purifier model that includes HEPA filters that you recommend? The answers to your questions and concerns about HEPA filters are surprisingly simple and basic. You may also check our current list of the most durable air purifiers.
In light of your recent HEPA filter purchase, you may be curious about the filter’s expected lifespan. However, it’s crucial to remember that not all HEPA systems or systems that can use HEPA filters have the same filter replacement recommendations. Therefore, you should still follow the rules for your chosen approach.
Sustaining an air purifier relies heavily on routine cleaning. However, how often you plan to use it matters more than the cost of the purifier itself. Aside from that, you can extend the life of the air purifier’s motor by following the instructions in the manual and not leaving it permanently in turbo mode.
The average lifespan of an air purifier is between two to five years, but this might vary greatly depending on the specific model. Both the level of pollution your device is exposed to all day, and the frequency with which it is serviced are examples of such variables.
The lifespan of an air purifier is roughly two to three years, which decreases significantly if the purifier is constantly used in a large, contaminated room. That’s because if there is too much dust and particles in the air, your motor will eventually burn out.
However, if you don’t use your air purifier in a dusty setting, it could survive as long as five years without needing to be replaced. As you might expect, this is conditional on how regularly you clean and/or change your filters. Filters should be cleaned or replaced according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Removable or continuous filters for air purifiers were innovative because a few companies saw the need for versions with lower long-term prices. The need to constantly replace filters is eliminated or greatly diminished with these revisions.
These filters, however, require routine maintenance, such as washing or vacuuming, to keep functioning correctly. Reversible and permanent filters in an air purifier can be cleaned multiple times before they need to be replaced. However, they must be changed or washed regularly as a component of the air purifier’s maintenance.
Please remember that there may be some deviations from the presented plan, especially considering the rapidly evolving nature of the air purifier sector and the resulting introduction of cutting-edge new filtering technologies.
However, the above figures should be considered valid for most air purifiers. For example, let’s pretend a particular air purifier differs from the standard and requires a special routine. Look to the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for guidance.
When Should I Replace My Air Purifier?
A filter’s duration depends on the filter type and the air quality being filtered. If you want your air filter can last as long as humanly possible, you should look for a purifier with a pre-filter. This element may require more regular cleaning because it captures material before it reaches the filter.
Most consumers have two critical concerns regarding air purifiers: how often and how to replace the filters. These disposable allergen traps have a finite lifespan before they get too clogged with dust and other pollutants to be effective; therefore, replacing them frequently is required to maintain your purifier functioning at top performance.
It would help if you replaced your fiberglass filters monthly. Even though affordable, they must be replaced frequently, which adds up over time. Polyester filters with pleats are slightly more costly than fiberglass filters, but they gather more dust and other particles and last almost as long. It is suggested that you replace your HEPA filter every 3 to 6 months, but they can last up to six months.
There are numerous methods for trapping allergens in the air that goes through air purifiers’ filters. Some use carbon to attract particles and eliminate household odors; others use True HEPA to collect even the smallest airborne toxins. Air quality and climatic conditions determine how frequently a replacement HEPA filter must be replaced; however, as a general guideline, these filters should be replaced every six to twelve months. Carbon filters should be swapped every three months, dependent on air quality and ambient conditions.
A change in color does not necessarily signify the need for replacement. For example, HEPA filters may appear darker after a brief period of use, but their effectiveness is unaffected. If air consistently flows through the filter, it is safe to conclude it is functioning well. However, suppose you observe a decrease in circulation or an increase in your monthly power expenditures. In that case, it may be a sign that a blocked filter is causing your air purifier to work harder than usual. If you need to observe this closely, you can use an anemometer to monitor the purifier’s airflow regularly.
If dust and particles begin to collect around the air purifier’s vent, this indicates that the filter is being overused. Placing a white sheet over the air purifier and allowing it to operate for one hour can make these particles more visible.
Reduced airflow is the most visible issue caused by clogged filters. Due to the limited airflow produced by the deposition of dust and other pollutants, the use of air purifiers and the energy expenses connected with them may increase. In addition, if the filter needs to be replaced soon, this can be hazardous for the machine.
Even though this is an excellent rule of thumb, we realize that replacing the air purifier’s filter isn’t strictly at the top of your list. Therefore, all air purifiers control panels have a filter replacement indicator to inform you when to replace the filters. Sign up for a filter subscription if you continue to forget, and replacement filters will be delivered straight to your home.
Some air purifier filters are washable and reusable, but not all. Assume a filter cannot be washed unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. If you are unsure whether a filter can be washed, it is advisable to avoid having water on it and vacuum away any residue.
HEPA filters, the most prevalent type found in air purifiers, are intended to capture particles throughout their entire fabric, not just on the surface. Even if you remove all the dust and dirt from the filter with a simple wipe, you will still release part of it into the air if you clean the top layer. If available, it is preferred to use reusable filters to reduce waste. Check with the manufacturer to ensure that the filter can be cleaned.
Do Air Purifiers Stop Working?
An ineffective air purifier could be due, in part, to a clogged filter. The air is pushed through a filter that collects contaminants like pollen and mold spores, while an air purifier works to purify the air in a room. Unfortunately, the filter will eventually become clogged and require replacement.
Filter service indicators are included in certain cleaners, but you should check to see if it’s time to replace the filter. Most of these displays are merely timers that alert you when it is past the specified amount of time before you need to replace your filter.
The filters in your air conditioner won’t last as long and must be replaced more frequently if you live in a high-population area or when air pollution levels are high. In addition, you should routinely check every one of the filters in your purifier because many have more than one.
Make sure your filter has no discolorations or black spots before using it. To sum up, if the filter appears dirty, it should be replaced. A filthy filter can cause the air purifier to contribute to indoor air pollution by recirculating germs, mold spores, and other particles back into the workspace.
Factors That Prevent Your Air Purifier From Functioning Optimally
Purifying the air in a room is the primary function of an air purifier, as the name implies. It accomplishes this by filtering out contaminants and allergens in the air, leaving behind just fresh air. As a result, your family is less likely to experience health problems due to breathing in polluted air.
The problem arises, though, if your air purifier breaks down. In some cases, determining the issue and how to fix it may be challenging. And how do you figure out why your air purifier isn’t doing its job?
Lack Of Ventilation
It is important to note that air purifiers, in speaking, need a particular volume of air to be circulated through the device. Therefore, you may notice a foul odor from your air purifier if there is a clog in the air intake or exhaust.
When changing the filter, failure to replace the air filter packaging is a common cause of air obstruction. This is because air can’t get past the filter while the package is still intact.
The fan speed of your device can be checked if you don’t locate a blockage. Change the setting to a higher one if you suspect the air purifiers’ inefficiency is due to a low one. However, this is probably just a temporary fix that masks a more serious issue, so scheduling service with a pro as soon as possible is advisable.
Broken Power Cord
Many homes have experienced the frustration of replacing an electrical cord that was somehow damaged. And if this is the case, it’s time to call it quits on trying to figure out why the air purifier isn’t doing its job. The air purifier won’t work if the power cord can’t transmit electricity.
Therefore, if your air purifier suddenly stops operating, you may want to check if this wire has become damaged. If you have any reason to believe this is the case, you should immediately stop using your purifier. Swapping out the cable should fix the problem.
Stale Air Due To Clogged Filters
A filter in your air purifier captures dust and other airborne particles, keeping them from entering your home. Pollen and mold spores are two examples of such particles. Unfortunately, the filter will become clogged or blocked over time and need to be cleaned or replaced.
If you don’t do this, your purifier won’t work as well because of the filter. In addition to affecting the purifier’s performance, a dirty filter can become a pollution source in and of itself, spreading mold spores and germs throughout the home.
The Noisy Fan Is Causing Annoyance
The fan may become dislodged and catch on the housing’s wall as it revolves. This has been reported for a few different models, but it’s not a widespread problem. If your air purifier is still under warranty, send it back to the manufacturer. If the fan’s construction is sound and the device is not under warranty, you can have it remodeled by having someone shave off the portion of the fan that is banging against the housing. Anyone implementing this would need some DIY abilities, and it would only fix minor issues.
Is It OK To Run Air Purifiers All The Time?
Because of the pervasive and ever-present air pollution problem, it is critical to ensure that your air purifier is always operational. If the filters are changed regularly, leaving the unit continuously does not appear to have any adverse side effects. It may even help reduce the amount of pollution found within the home.
Most air filters get rid of chemicals by using activated carbon, and air purifiers are particularly effective at eliminating particulate matter such as smoke, dust, pollen, and mold spores. In addition, certain air purifiers are designed with PECO technology, which removes smells and contaminants by filtering out biological and chemical pollutants and bigger particles. This helps the purifier to work more effectively.
Insulating a home from the pollutants and air found outside is impossible. The carbon dioxide produced by breathing and the moisture produced by activities like cooking and bathing need to be released. Additionally, there is a sizeable variation in the construction’s quality, ranging from drafty structures to “tight” new homes with almost no window space.
The air that has been cleaned and the air that has not been treated with an air purifier can be differentiated from one another in some significant ways. First, in contrast to ventilation, a purifier relies solely on the air in the room to remove contaminants, which is one of the device’s many advantages. Regrettably, the air quality inside homes and other buildings in many parts of the world is significantly lower than that of a purifier.
If you choose to diminish the number of toxins in the air inside of your house, then investing in an air purifier is an intelligent move. Regrettably, you may be unable to prevent all pollution from entering the environment.
In addition, some of it may be outside of your area of influence. As a result, if you want to get the most use out of your purifier, you should always keep it turned on and routinely replace the filters.
Relying on natural ventilation is not enough…
Regarding indoor air quality, relying on natural ventilation alone isn’t always the best option. This is especially true for people who don’t have access to beautiful weather throughout the whole year. In addition, bringing in fresh air after the heater or air conditioner has already been running wastes energy and is therefore not recommended.
People allergic to pollen may find it more comfortable to remain at home during allergy season. This is because pollen floating around in the air has the potential to set off allergic reactions. Additionally, due to new rules, air filtration is suitable for reducing contaminants. This is especially true in areas where there are few windows or doors that may be opened.
Because air purifiers work by drawing air through their filters, the only way to guarantee the best possible air quality is to have an air purifier running nonstop. If we may put it another way, switching off your air purifier will result in the air in the room no longer being purified.
As the air keeps flowing naturally, new contaminants will gradually make their way in. Over a relatively short amount of time, the air quality will return to its typical level. If you leave behind your air purifier while operating, the air will be filtered continuously, and any new contaminants that enter the room will be destroyed as quickly as they are identified.
