How to Choose the Right Air Purifier for Your Room Size
Knowing the size of the room will help you choose the right air purifier for your room. Clean air essential to maintaining a healthy environment that reduces allergies, helps you sleep better, and improves your overall health.
According to the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers), the air purifier needs to cover a minimum of two-thirds of the room size to be effective.
Purifying the air in households across the United States is rapidly increasing due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following information will help you choose the right air purifier for your room size.
What is CADR?
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is a standard measurement that allows consumers to compare the performance of air purifiers. The measuring technique was developed by AHAM and is recognized by the American Lung Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
CADR indicates the amount of filtered air from an air purifier in cubic feet per minute. The air purifiers that produce the highest numbers move faster and produce the cleanest air when compared to other models that have lower results.
The CADR test involves air filtration performance, noise level, smoke, pollen, and dust. The test is conducted by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers under the program AHAM Verifide. The CADR test is designed to determine the effectiveness of removing pollutants from the air. The result of each test is printed in the air purifier’s manual or directly on the box.
Effective CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)
The average room size in most homes in the United States measure 200 square feet. According to the AHAM 2/3 rule, the purifier needs to cover a minimum of two-thirds of the room size to be effective.
How to Measure a Room Size
AHAM guidelines explain that measuring the CADR is as easy as multiplying the CADR value by 1.55. The calculation looks like this: CADR cfm x 1.55 = The room size in square feet. This means a smoke CADR of 300 cfm will cover up to 465 square feet.
You can also calculate the ceiling height to determine a better measurement. For example, you have a room size that is 200 square feet with a ceiling height of 10 feet, the measurement will be 2000 cubic feet. You can use either calculation when choosing an air purifier for your home.
What size air purifier is best for me?
- Small air purifier – If you have a small room size that measures 200 square feet, a small air purifier is recommended.
- Medium air purifier – If you have a studio apartment, small basement, or lounge area a mid-range air purifier is recommended. It covers between 201 to 399 square feet.
- Large air purifier – If you have a living room, office, garage, basement, living hall, or a master bedroom that is more than 399 square feet, a large air purifier is recommended.
Asthma sufferers need to choose an air purifier that is the right size for the room and features a double airflow output. This type of air purifier has the power to produce four changes per hour and remove microscopic allergens from the air which helps reduce asthma symptoms.
Can an air purifier be too big for a room?
Generally, air purifiers can’t be too big for a room. If you are in doubt about what size air purifier to get for your home, it’s best to choose a size larger to ensure the air is clean. However, many air purifier models that are ideal for large areas are often bulky and can take up a lot of space if you live in a small apartment or home. Avoid getting an air purifier that is too small because it won’t be able to clean the room properly.
Choosing the right air purifier for your room size is equally as important to the placement. It’s important to use the square footage measurements to determine the proper size while at the same time factor in the furniture in the room.