The air purifier market in the United States boomed to 2.9 billion dollars in 2020 due to rising concerns about air pollutants. An air purifier can decrease indoor contaminants, but only when properly maintained.
Air purifiers need regular maintenance for optimal performance. Without cleaning and maintenance, an air purifier will do more harm than good as it can release dust back into the air and become a home for mold and bacteria. Maintenance of air purifiers includes cleaning the exterior surface and cleaning and replacing the filters.
Let’s go through the types of air purifiers and the maintenance each one requires. We’ll go through the maintenance instructions step-by-step and also address some frequently asked questions on how to take care of air purifiers.
Do Air Purifiers Need Maintenance?
The amount of maintenance an air purifier needs depends on the type of air purifier. While some only operate with two filters, many now come with as many as five filtration systems that require regular cleaning and maintenance.
Let’s step through the different types of air purifiers, and then the maintenance required for each one.
Types of Air Purifiers
Air purifiers are classified by the type of air filter(s) they use. Different types of air purifiers can handle various airborne contaminants. The major types of air purifiers are:
HEPA Filters
A high-efficiency particulate air filter known as a HEPA filter is a medical-grade filter that can remove ultrafine particles 0.3 micrometers in size. They can remove 99.97% of these air pollutants (including dust, mold, bacteria, and pollen) when air passes through them.
These filters have a thick fiber mesh structure made from synthetic, metallic wood, hair-coated or coarse glass fiber. Even though HEPA filters can remove many airborne particles, they have no impact on gaseous contaminants such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Carbon Filters
Carbon filters are unique filters that can efficiently remove gaseous pollutants from the air, including VOCs. These filters are typically constructed from activated charcoal (obtained from bamboo or coconut husk) with a lattice structure that provides a wide surface area for the absorption of gases.
They capture the gaseous pollutants from the air by adsorption, which means that the gaseous molecules stick to the outer surface of carbon atoms as the air passes through the filter.
While activated carbon filters are efficient against VOCs, they can’t remove particulate matter such as bacteria, molds, and viruses.
Ionizers
Ionizers release negative ions into the air that are attracted to particles and surfaces with opposite (positive) charges. These ions adhere to other particles creating heavier particles and then weighing them down on the ground and other nearby surfaces, clearing the air of pollutants.
They are not effective against microbial pathogens. Some air purifiers are simply ionic, but most air purifiers with an ionizer component also contain other types of filters (e.g., HEPA) for air sanitization.
A downside of ionizers is that they don’t trap the air pollutants; instead, they just settle them down, and those air pollutants can easily become airborne again by human activity or airflow.
Another primary concern with using ionizers is that they produce ozone as a byproduct, which is harmful to human health.
UV Air Purifiers
UV air purifiers are based on UV germicidal irradiation technology and use short-wave ultraviolet light (UV-C) to destroy airborne viruses and microbes such as bacteria, mold, and viruses. UV air purifiers are available either as stand-alone air purifiers or embedded into portable air purifiers(along with HEPA filtration systems) or HVAC units.
As the air travel through a UV lamp, it sterilizes the air using germicidal radiation. UV air purifiers have no effect on airborne contaminant particles.
Ozone generators
Ozone generators are generally considered air purifiers, although they have no filters and intentionally produce ozone gas for air purification. Ozone is a highly reactive and unstable gas that quickly oxidizes molecules in its surroundings, transforming them into harmless chemicals.
However, they are not effective in removing any air pollutants. They create ozone pollution in the air.
The EPA recommends avoiding using ozone generators to remove indoor air pollutants because they use ozone, which is harmful whether in pure or mixed form.
Maintaining Different Types of Air Purifiers
The basic maintenance steps for every air purifier are essentially the same. These include:
1. Unplug the Air Purifier
It is essential to ensure the air purifier is off and unplugged from the power source before cleaning it. Ensure your air purifier is not charging if it runs on a battery.
- Find the power button on the control panel, and press it once to turn the appliance off, before removing it from the outlet.
2. Clean the Exterior
Dust can build up and get inside the unit if the device’s exterior surface is not cleaned regularly.
- Use a dry clean cloth to wipe off the dust.
- You can also use a wet cloth if there are any stains on the surface of the unit. Make sure to avoid splashing water into the unit’s internal components.
- Use a dry towel to remove the excess moisture from the unit, once clean.
3. Clean the Air Intake Grill
Dust buildup in the grill can obstruct the airflow, which may lead to overheating and damage the system. Although it depends on the air quality of the area where you are using the air purifier, it’s generally recommended to clean the air intake grill once a month.
- Locate the air intake grill of your air purifier. If it is removable, take it out of the unit and wipe off the dust using a soft brush or vacuum.
- You can also wash it, if necessary. However, avoid using water if the air intake grill is not removable.
4. Clean the Filters
Cleaning the filters is the next and most crucial step in maintaining air purifiers. The filters can become clogged if not cleaned regularly and become a home for mold and bacteria.
Always wear a face mask and gloves before disassembling the device to access the filter because the dust and pollutants trapped in the filters will be exposed and cause easily trigger allergic reactions.
Cleaning the Prefilter
Most air purifiers come with a prefilter that increases the efficiency of the carbon and HEPA filters by lowering the number of contaminants that are transferred to them. Usually, the prefilter comes as a fine mesh that can accumulate dust and debris over time.
Prefilters don’t need replacement (typically), and cleaning them every once a month will suffice.
- Use a clean cloth to dust the prefilter off or a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust and debris.
- You can also wash the prefilter with tap water. Use a soft brush and a mild detergent and rinse it off to get rid of hard stains or debris.
Cleaning the HEPA Filters
HEPA filters become clogged with debris over time which reduces their efficiency. They can even begin to discharge airborne contaminants that have been trapped on the filter’s surface. To avoid this problem, it is essential to maintain HEPA filters.
No standard or studies for washable HEPA filters is available, and you’re likely to damage them, while attempting to wash them. Therefore, replacing HEPA filters every 6-12 months is considered best practice.
However, if cleaning the HEPA filter is unavoidable, follow the methods given here.
- First, ensure the HEPA filter on your air purifier is labeled as ‘washable’ before cleaning it with water. If so, gently rinse the filter with water, and don’t touch the filter material. Let the filter air dry before reinstalling it.
- For cleaning a HEPA filter advertised as ‘permanent,’ use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and debris from its surface gently. Don’t expose these filters to water.
Cleaning Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filters should be replaced every 6 months or sooner if they become clogged.
For maintenance of activated carbon filters:
- Just remove the activated carbon filter from the unit and gently wipe off any dust on the surface using a clean and dry cloth. Exposure to direct sunlight for 2-3 hours after every 15 days will rejuvenate the carbon filters.
- Avoid using water or detergents for cleaning activated carbon filters.
- Immersion in water can harm these filters causing them to lose their anti-odor function.
- If the carbon filter is labeled as ‘washable’, use gently running tap water to clean the carbon filter every 3 to 4 months.
- Please avoid using any detergent to clean the carbon filter.
Cleaning Ionizers
Maintaining ionizers is pretty easy since they don’t have any filters and don’t require disassembly of the device. To maintain ionizers in excellent working condition, clean them at least once or twice a week.
To clean air ionizers:
- Unplug the device.
- You will likely see dark spots on or near the device. This is the dust that accumulates on the surface of the device and around the air inlet.
- Wipe off the dust using a microfiber cloth. You can also dampen the cloth for hard stains.
- Let the device completely dry before plugging in again.
Cleaning UV Lamp
UV lamps don’t require cleaning and the bulb should simply be replaced every 12 months. It is best if you don’t touch the UV lamp glass because touching the glass can transfer your hand’s natural oil onto the glass, which can interfere with the light’s effectiveness.
5. Reassembling
- Once you have cleaned or replaced the filters, insert them back into the unit. Let all the filters and other parts dry before reassembling them into the air purifier.
- Place back the cover. Your air purifier is once again ready to purify the air around you.
Do Air Purifiers Filters Need Replacing?
Air purifier filters expire after a specific time and stop working efficiently. To avoid this, they must be replaced after they have reached their maximum life.
Here are general instructions for replacing the filters. However, consult your user manual or customer support for detailed instructions specific to your air purifier’s model.
Changing HEPA Filter and Carbon Filter
To change the HEPA filter and carbon filter:
- Remove the front cover.
- Locate the filter strip on the filters and take it out. This will vary depending on your air purifier model.
- Remove the packaging from the new filters.
- Replace your filters
- Replace the front grille back and reset the unit.
Changing the UV-lamp
To change the UV lamp:
- Turn the unit off. Make sure to wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and glasses.
- Unlock the clasp to remove the inlet grill.
- Take out the HEPA filter (if applicable).
- Detach the metal lamp cover by removing screws, if any.
- Remove the foam guards and rotate the bulb to 180o to pull it out.
- Insert a new bulb and reassemble the device.
How do I know if my Air Purifier Filter is Dirty?
A dirty air purifier filter will display discoloration or black spots. The discoloration is usually grey or black, but if mold is present the filter may also appear yellow or brown. Dirty air purifier filters lose their efficiency and effectiveness to clean the air.
Always keep in mind when the filter needs to be changed; most manufacturers advise doing so every three to six months, while HEPA filters should be changed every six to twelve months.
Can you Clean a HEPA Filter and Reuse it?
A ‘permanent’ HEPA filter can be cleaned and reused. Most HEPA filters can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. You can also clean the washable HEPA filters by gently rinsing them with cold water.
To prevent damaging HEPA filters, you must handle them with the utmost care and clean them gently
How Long do Air Purifiers Last?
Air purifiers typically last 2 to 5 years. However, their lifespan depends upon many factors, including intensity of usage, maintenance, air quality, and device reliability.
