Air purifier placement is the unsung hero in the fight against indoor contaminants. Yet, when purchasing an air purifier, most people I come across are only worried about the quality of the purifier.
While I can attest that quality plays a huge role in air purification, where you put your purifier is just as important. To get the most out of your air purifier, you need to position it correctly in your home.
Below, I’ll help you determine the optimal location for your air purifier. Following the tips below will help you breathe cleaner air and enjoy the maximum benefits of your air purifier.
Where To Place Air Purifiers in Specific Rooms
Most people I work with buy air purifiers to relieve allergies, combat asthma symptoms, or just improve their home’s indoor air quality. For larger homes, the key is to invest in multiple purifiers so they can be put where they need to be for optimal results.
Air purifiers can be extremely powerful, but they can’t work through walls. If you have a purifier in the master bedroom, that means only the air circulating within that room will go through the purification process.
That’s why it’s recommended to invest in an air purifier for multiple rooms in the home:
In the Kitchen
Your kitchen is a breeding ground for airborne bacteria. A kitchen air purifier is great for removing common odors from cooking and food waste. In terms of placement, put your air purifier near the trash can (just not right against it) or right next to the kitchen table. Make sure it can get as much air as possible.
At the Front Door
Most outside air flows right into your home through the front door, making it one of the biggest access points for airborne contaminants to enter the home. I keep an air purifier in the foyer so you can catch the airborne particles right away.
In the Living Room
The living room is often where indoor pollutants such as dust, pet hair, and smoke tend to accumulate. That’s why an air purifier is an excellent addition to this space. When it comes to placement, positioning your air purifier near the couch or seating area is a good idea so it can get all the air where you spend most of your time. Just be sure to leave plenty of space around it.
In the Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the stinkiest rooms in the house (especially when you live with my son). That’s why adding an air purifier to your bathroom can make a big difference in cleaning that dirty air.
To maximize the effectiveness of your air purifier, consider placing a small countertop purifier next to the sink. In larger bathrooms, you can put a full-sized air purifier next to the toilet to tackle any larger particles or allergens floating around.
In the Bedroom
Having an air purifier in your bedroom can actually help you sleep better. With cleaner air circulating in your room, you’ll breathe easier and wake up feeling refreshed. Plus, many air purifiers have a gentle hum that can provide soothing white noise to lull you into a peaceful slumber. It puts my wife right to sleep.
In Garages/Basements
Damp and musty places like garages and basements are breeding grounds for all sorts of contaminants that can cause foul odors and affect air quality. To purify the air in a large garage or basement, make sure the unit is rated for that kind of space.
Not all air purifiers are powerful enough.
If it’s not, it won’t be able to clean air effectively. Choose a high-quality unit designed to filter out the most common pollutants in garages and basements, such as mold spores, mildew, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
7 Tips For Correct Air Purifier Placement
1. Place it where the worst air pollutants are
Your main focus should be improving the area of your home that has the most indoor air pollution. The best air purifier location is where it’s needed the most. If you know that a certain room or space is prone to mold, dust, pet dander, smoke, or other pollutants, the first placement step is to focus on that area. To be safe, put one in all the rooms you spend time in.
2. Put it in places with the highest airflow
Air purifiers work by pulling in dirty air and cleaning it, so air purifier performance is greatly affected by the surrounding airflow. The higher the airflow, the better the purifier will be able to draw in air and remove air pollution. That’s why it’s best to place your purifier in areas with high airflow, like near a window or close to a doorway or hallway.
3. Don’t place it in a corner or with low airflow
You never want to plop your purifier down in the corner of your room and call it a day. If you stick it in a corner with little airflow, it can’t do its job effectively. It’s like trying to drink from a straw that’s been pinched shut.
To experience the full benefits of your air purifier, it’s vital to place it in an area with maximum airflow that won’t interfere with the air intake.
4. Don’t place it behind obstacles
Be sure you leave at least 3 feet of clear space around your entire purifier, and don’t put it close to anything that will impede airflow. It needs plenty of room to pull in air from all angles and capture as many airborne particles as possible.
Again, don’t keep your air purifier in a corner or squeeze it between your favorite armchair and bookshelf. Anything too close to the air cleaner could obstruct the air flow and decrease its effectiveness.
5. Place it 3 to 5 feet off the ground
Place your purifier 3-5 feet off the ground so it can capture air moving in all directions. HVAC vents and fans can cause horizontal air movement, and temperature changes can cause vertical air movement. Placing your air purifier around three feet off the ground can help it capture air that is flowing both vertically and horizontally.
If you place it too low, it might not be able to effectively filter the air. However, if you put it too high, it might miss out on capturing the heavier pollutants that sink closer to the ground. You can buy wall-mounted air purifiers so you can get perfect placement.
6. Keep it away from electronics
Electronic devices like TVs, stereos, and microwaves can reduce your air purifier’s effectiveness. So, do your best to keep all electronics at least 5 feet away from your cleaner. This distance will help to minimize any interference and allow your purifier to operate optimally.
7. Avoid those high-humidity areas
Air full of moisture is heavier than dry air, so it’s harder for your air purifier to filter out all the impurities. It’s like running a marathon while carrying a backpack filled with bricks – not easy!
And when the air is humid, it can create a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can clog up your purifier’s filtration system and make it less effective over time. So if you live in a humid environment, it’s even more critical to ensure you’re taking good care of your air purifier and giving it the best chance to do its job effectively.
Got a Dyson Air Purifier? (Here’s Where To Put it)
I’ve never run into a client who hasn’t heard of Dyson, and Dyson air purifiers are some of the most popular on the market. This explains why questions like “where to place a Dyson air purifier?” have taken over the internet.
To figure out the best place to put your Dyson air purifier, follow these tips and tricks:
- Leave at least 20cm of free space around the device
- Keep out polluted air whenever possible
- Download the Dyson Link app to your mobile device
- Set up an operating schedule via the app
- Don’t forget to clean the purifier regularly
- Replace the filters when necessary
What Not Do With Air Purifier Placement
I’ve touched on most of these already but they are all worth re-emphasizing. Firstly, don’t put it in a corner or near a wall, as it can reduce airflow. You should also keep it away from heat sources and high-humidity areas to prevent damage.
Don’t place it near open windows or doors as it can bring in pollutants from outside. Finally, avoid putting it where it can easily be knocked over. By being mindful of these things, you can ensure that your air purifier stays effective and lasts long.
Common Air Purifier Placement Questions
Which way should the air purifier face?
It’s best for the purifier to face the middle of the room. As long as the machine isn’t too close to the walls and there are no obstacles in its way, it should be able to draw in the surrounding air and expel it back into the room.
Where should you put air purifiers with a HEPA filter?
You should put air purifiers with HEPA filters in the room with the most potential air contaminants. Then make sure you don’t tuck it away in a corner or behind furniture, as this can limit its effectiveness. You also need to change your filters regularly.
Can I put my air purifier on a table?
Yes, you can put a small air purifier conveniently on a table or countertop. It depends on the model, though, so if you want to put your purifier on a table, look for a tabletop machine.
How much area does an air purifier cover?
The area an air purifier covers depends on the specific model. All air purifiers have different specs for coverage areas. Before buying your purifier, always consider the square footage of the room you’ll be using it in.
Should I run an air purifier all the time?
Yes, it’s generally recommended to run an air purifier all the time. Most air purifiers are designed with an “Auto Mode,” so they’ll turn on and off on their own based on the room’s current air quality. Just be sure to replace the air purifier’s filter and perform routine maintenance.
When should I use the low and high settings?
Whether or not you use low or high settings is based on the quality of the air. For highly polluted air that contains lots of pollen, dust, smoke, or whatever it may be, it’s best to use the purifier’s high setting.
Conclusion
After working with air purifiers for years, I can attest to the importance of proper placement. The placement of an air purifier can significantly impact its effectiveness. That’s why following these simple tips is essential when positioning your Dyson, Holmes, or Honeywell purifier.
Following these guidelines will ensure your air purifier works at its best, providing clean, fresh air. After buying your high-quality purifier, take the time to find the perfect spot for it in your home to enjoy the benefits of improved indoor air quality.
