Is it possible to have a purifier but still experience stuffiness? Can allergies still linger? The answer is yes, there is a possibility that your purifier will not capture all the allergens. There are 2 main reasons why it will not perform optimally: one, you could be using expired filters. Two, the purifier could be ill-placed.
As a simple rule, an air purifier needs sufficient aeration space. So, you need to place it about 2 feet from the wall or other hindrances. This ensures that the intake and outlet have a clear path for airflow. Sufficient airflow also enables the purifier to deliver optimally.
Another rule is regarding the main sources of pollution. An air purifier achieves better results when placed in high concentrated rooms/areas.
The best place to put your air purifier for optimal results
The only way to be sure of the best value for money from your air purifier is placement. So, where do you place an air purifier? Here are some suggestions depending on the specific area of focus.
The kitchen
Although kitchens get cleaned more than any other room in the house, they still harbor highly contaminated air. There is a mixture of fumes from cooking, fuel odors, and dust from the high traffic. Other sources of odors include the dustbin and pantry, vents, sink, and detergents.
The kitchen is one of the most frequented rooms in the house and, therefore, it’s almost impossible to keep the air therein pure.
It also has a higher capacity for harboring molds. Your cabinets and shelves are prone to mold and mildew invasion due to wetness. Under the sink, especially, there is a lot of moisture which makes it a perfect breeding place. If you can get rid of allergens in your kitchen, you will have won almost half the battle.
The best place to put your purifier is on the floor in the middle of the kitchen. Unfortunately, it’s not safe as you can stumble on it. Therefore, we have to opt for the safest place then, which is, on the kitchen wall. That way, the air purifier is safe from spillages or any liquid contact.
This protects you and your family from electrocution. You can also choose to use the kitchen table. This requires you to clear other items to create enough room for aeration. Also, effects from other appliances like the microwave which operates on a similar wavelength will be minimized.
The bedroom
Bedside tables are a perfect option for placing your air purifier. The purifier acts as a bedside lamp and also provides filtration. Place the purifier 6 to 10 feet away so that you don’t experience the draft that comes with air exchange. However, if you have a purifier that can be tucked on the wall, mount it 6 to 8 feet above the headboard.
Due to the long hours that we spend in the bedroom, the air tends to be highly polluted. Pets also tend to linger a lot in the bedrooms thus spreading their fur and skin flakes. Kids love to play there too. So, this makes it almost impossible to keep the room allergen-free.
Having an air purifier slightly high above your head and running it throughout ensures there are no allergies to keep you awake overnight. It also helps your nasal cavities to be at ease especially for asthmatic and highly allergic people.
If the noise on the high-level setting is too disturbing you can set it on medium or low during the night and leave it on high-level during the day when you are not using the room.
Baby’s room or nursery
This is one room you can’t overlook – the baby room or nursery. Babies are extremely sensitive to allergens and have a high risk of suffering respiratory complications. Their developing lungs and immune system require extra protection. Because babies spend a lot of time on the floor, you can place the purifier there. However, be sure to leave about 2 feet from the walls or any blockages.
Placing the purifier on the floor helps to capture pet dander and dust leaving your baby with better air quality. Ensure you have a baby-friendly air purifier. This means that it needs to have lockable controls, quiet operation, and smooth edges.
You can also place the air purifier on the bedside table. This is more preferred for infants because they can’t reach out and drop it. It also lights the room better because it’s higher and provides the baby with a soothing sound as it runs, thus promoting better sleep.
The last option is to use a mountable purifier. For best results, place the purifier 6 to 10 feet from the baby’s bed.
The living room
Unlike other rooms, every family member and every pet considers this room their haven. Because of the heavy traffic, the living area air is highly concentrated with pet dander, food debris, pollen, and dust. There could also be odors from carpet fumes and external exhausts surrounding the house.
The ideal positioning of an air purifier, therefore, would be in the middle of the room. But again, won’t people stumble on it and fall?
If you are using a high tower purifier, you can still place it on the floor, away from traffic paths and make sure there is good airflow. For other air purifier types, place them on a centralized table where they can filter effectively. Some people choose to place their purifier near the entrance to capture dust and pollen at entry. However, the most effective purification happens at the core of pollution.
For example, if there are smokers in your household, the air purifier should be stationed in the smoking area as opposed to the doorway.
The bathroom
Although we don’t spend so much time in the bathroom, it is a highly polluted area. It’s also prone to mold infestation due to perennial wetness. The safest positioning for a purifier is on the wall.
Conclusion
Most air purifier models fit best on the floor. However, they can still deliver on higher positioning as long as there is enough airflow. Just like air conditioners, air purifiers work more efficiently within closed doors and windows. They also need to be spaced from other appliances like stereos and televisions. You also need to change the filters as per the manufacturer’s guide for maximum benefit.