Air pollution levels are becoming an increasingly urgent concern both outdoors and indoors. Indoor air can be five times as polluted as the outdoor air, says the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
However, buying an air purifier comes its maintenance for maximum efficiency. Most purifiers require a change in filter every so often, and the changing schedule varies according to the kind of machine you've bought.
Having some general knowledge of the degree of upkeep will help you make an informed purchase and understand why you replace your air purifier filters and how they function.
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Why do air purifier filters need changing regularly?
Air purifiers collect a significant portion of airborne particles like dust, pollen, fur, etc. These get stored in the filter. When you have recently purchased an air purifier, the air that passes through the filter has no disruptions, no dust particles are trapping the air or stopping it from passing through the filters.
An air filter that is ridden with collected pollutants will, however, be unable to function correctly. The filter's surface will run out of space for new particles, and the air will not pass as efficiently through these choked filters. Slowly losing their effectiveness.
What type of filters needs to be replaced?
There are many replacement filters, and most use different technology to trap irritants in the air. Some of them have carbon to attract dust and allergens and neutralize odors. On the other hand, HEPA filters are being used to trap the smallest of the allergens.
There are permanent and replaceable filters available depending on the cost and long-term use. A permanent filter, of course, does not need replacing. You can take it out and wipe away the gunk from time to time to ensure the air passes regularly.
Some of the devices let you know when to replace your air purifier filters or when they need to be cleaned. Because all filters eventually need to be replaced. It only depends on the duration a filter can hold on for.
What frequency works best for replacement?
The air quality of the area you live in, be it indoors or outdoors, can help you get an idea of how fast your filters would reach their maximum capacity instead of a less polluted area.
Your replacement plan also depends on the frequency of your usage. If an air purifier runs throughout the day, it will need maintenance done faster. Moreover, the type of filters you use can affect the frequency. For example, your pre-filters need to be washed every month, while HEPA filters tend to have a longer time span before they require cleaning.
In conclusion
Before you get around to buying an air purifier, go through the replacement plans for filters, and judge what is most feasible under your budget. Be mentally prepared to replace air purifier filters at least once a month and be consistent with the cleaning for maximum benefit.
