Before You Buy an Air Cleaner or Purifier - What You Should Consider

Portable air cleaners can be used in bedrooms, and most every room of your house, as well as taken on vacation for use in motel rooms. This will dictate whether you are looking for a compact model, or regular size model. Plan a good secure location where it will sit, close to a plug-in outlet, and at least 3" or so from the wall, for air circulation.

What size or capacity depends totally on the size of the room area you intend to use it in. Efficiency ratings are based on model room sizes, and how many times per hour that volume of air will pass through the unit. Measure your room's dimensions and buy according to the recommended coverage area (or higher than required). Decide on special features you'd like, like quiet and multiple settings.

Generally, the more filtration devices - the better. Air passes first through a pre-filter, trapping larger particles, then through additional filters like a Hepa, or carbon filters. Certified Hepa filters can remove more than 98% of particles that are airborne making these the most efficient. Each filter stage means more screening and removal, so more is better.

If your unit is not a common brand, you may have difficulty finding replacement filters later. This may impact what brand you decide on. Also check on prices, it's good to know ahead. It's a good idea to buy a replacement set of filters to have on hand at home, when buying the unit. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation as to when to change them. They do vary per unit.

Air cleaners are not cheap, especially those with multi or Hepa filters. Know what you are buying and inspect the unit for certification, efficiency ratings, and to ensure that it meets the product standards for your area. Also check the warranty details, and make sure a parts list is also included - this could help you later.

Ensure it keeps operating efficiently. Change filters - prefilters usually need changing every couple of months, and Hepa filters every 2-4 years, but confirm this from manufacturer's recommendations. Vacuum the intake airflow grates on the outside, they collect a lot of dust and particles, as does the area near the outflow.

Changing the prefilter often will protect the Hepa filter which is more expensive to change. Keep door closed to area if possible for better efficiency. Buy a unit made for a larger area - it will clean a small room better. If unit is in a bedroom, set it to 'quiet' mode for nighttime, and 'high' for daytime. For best efficiency, it should run continuously.