So you bought an air purifier. Or perhaps you’re researching a purchase and just want to see what’s involved in purifier ownership. Like any thing else with a motor or moving parts, your air purifier will require some level of maintenance and upkeep. If you don’t you’re just wasting your hard earned money and reducing how well your purifier works.
As it toils away removing smoke, pet dander, and odor it becomes less effective by the hour. But, that’s how it’s supposed to work. Just like the filters in your car, air purifiers trap particles to keep them from damaging something. In this case, it’s your lungs. So how do you keep that air purifier in tip top shape? Regular maintenance of course.
Just how regularly you have to maintain your purifier varies on the make, model, and how much use it gets. In a cleaner environment, a purifier and its filter will require less maintenance. However, if you’re asking it to remove constant cigarette smoke, a lot of pollen, or a large amount of dust… prepare yourself for a little work.
The amount of work, or difficulty level, required to change filters and such vary greatly from model to model. As does the price of replacement filters. But, don’t let the promise of cheap filters or easy maintenance lure you into an impulse buy. Many of the higher end purifiers offer filters that last years rather than just months. And, low maintenance filterless purifiers often fall short when it comes to actually removing anything from the air.
How Long Should Air Purifiers Operate?
Many air purifiers are designed to operate for extended periods of time. Most people have the misconception that letting an air purifier run for an hour or two in a room is sufficient enough to purify the air. However, that is not always the case as airborne particles circulate in the air at all times. This is because open windows, pets, and humans are all responsible for letting airborne contaminants get inside the room.
The brand, model, and type of air purifier play significant roles in determining how long the machine can run. You can check the manual that came along with the air purifier to know the ideal running type of the machine. Generally, most air purifiers can withstand five to eight hours of continuous operation. You can turn off the air purifier and turn it on once it had a good rest.
How Much Maintenance is needed for the Air Filters?
The amount of maintenance needed varies from one air purifier to the other. Most air purifiers come with two or four filters. Standard air purifiers will require you to change the air filters at least once every six to eight months to ensure optimum results. On the other hand, there are air purifier models come with permanent air filters that do not need replacements.
There are also models that feature a combination of replaceable and washable air filters. In order to ensure that the air purifier is properly maintained, many models come with filter indication lights. Refer to the product description and manufacturer manual to know if the air purifier that you just purchased or will purchase come with such feature.
What is the Importance of Scheduled Cleaning?
Clogging is normal when it comes to air purifiers. As the machine’s filter become clogged with particles, the system of the air purifier needs to exert more effort in order to function. Working hard can put a strain on the air purifier system. This air purifier will require more power to run and can greatly reduce its lifespan
A clogged air filter can also increase the total ownership of the machine since you will need to replace the filters quite often. These filters do not come cheap. In order for you to get the best out of your air purifier without having to spend too much, make sure that properly take care of the machine at all times. Also, the air purifier tends to capture fewer particles and absorb less odor and gasses when the filter become saturated. Always remember that indoor air pollution is higher compared to outdoor air pollution due to less ventilation.
How to Clean an Air Purifier?
When cleaning an air purifier, it is recommended that you always refer to the manufacturer manual. In the event that you have already lost the manual, you can always get a copy from the manufacturer website. In order for you to get the correct manual, you need to know the maker, model as well as the serial numbers of the air purifier. Use this information to find the manual online. In case you are having some difficulties finding the manual on the internet, you can still follow the standards steps in cleaning a traditional air purifier.
Look for the Filter
First, you need to look for the filter of the machine. Most of the time, the filter can be found underneath and toward the back portion of the air purifier. Remember where the filter came from and how it was exactly placed in the air purifier.
Remove Filter
Carefully pull out the air filter from the machine. If the machine comes with disposable filters, you need to put the filter in a plastic bag. Take the filters to the store to get the correct replacement filter. In the event that the machine comes with a reusable filter, clean the filter using mild soap and warm water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the suds off the air filter. Shake out the air filter to get rid of any excess water. When finished, set the air filter aside.
Disassemble Air Purifier
As much as possible, you need to disassemble the air purifier. Make sure that you keep track of how things were assembled so that it would be easy for you put them back again. For easier assembly, it is recommended that you take note while disassembling the air purifier.
Wipe Clean
Wipe the entire machine and its parts using a damp cloth with warm water. Make sure that you have cleaned all the grooves thoroughly. Leave all the parts on a clean and dry surface to dry them out. Usually, this will take several hours, depending on the air filter’s consistency. As soon as the parts have completely dried up, reassemble the air purifier. The machine is now clean and should be operating perfectly.
Final Thoughts
The air purifier has now become an inevitable machine in any home. Nowadays, it is pretty common for homes and offices to make use of an air purifier to purify the air indoors. Similar to any machine, an air purifier needs proper care and maintenance. The tips mentioned above are just some of the things that you need to keep in mind.