REVIEWS | TIPS | BUYING GUIDES

Search

Where Should I Put My Air Purifier: The Best Locations for an Air Purifier

Updated on March 14, 2022 by Joseph D. Nielson

Table of Contents

An air purifier used to be a luxurious commodity in the past. It has become an essential component of many homes over the years due to its robust capabilities. The purpose of a good air purifier is to improve the air quality of any home. The device can get rid of airborne particles and unappealing odors within a short time. They also create a comfy environment by removing air contaminants. 

Knowing where to put your air purifier is a defining factor in its performance. You might lose up to 50% of your air purifier’s ability by placing it in the wrong position. But, you can also increase your air purifier’s capacity by 20% just by placing it in the right spot.

Please find out more about where to place your air purifier to maximize its functionality and breathe in clean air. 

The Worst Locations for Your Air Purifier

When figuring out the best spot to place your air purifier, it is essential to consider where you shouldn’t keep the device.

In the Center of the Room

The most crucial component in air purifier placement is providing your air purifier with enough airflow to function correctly. Placing it in the center of the room can limit its performance and ability to clean the air at maximum capacity.

The air cleaner cleans the air in front of the device and its surrounding air. Due to the way particles disperse, it’s best to put your cleaner on one side of the room. The fan’s vacuum draws in dirt from the other room parts, allowing a thorough clean.

Make sure that the air intake is clear of any blockages, as the air purifier will perform less efficiently if the air intake is blocked. Make sure the air stream discharge is directed toward the room’s center to achieve the most airflow.

Near Heat Sources

Air purifiers, like any other machine, become hot when in use. It is essential to place it away from heat sources to avoid overheating. Direct sunlight or heat can damage an air purifier from furnace vents, so avoid keeping it under direct sunlight.

Close to Moisture or Humidity

When the humidity is high, the air is heavier. Naturally, high-humidity areas are known for being excellent mold breeding grounds. In most cases, a mold infestation will begin in the bathroom.

Air purifiers are effective in removing moisture from the air. However, too much moisture can cause your air purifier to malfunction. For practical functionality, keep in mind that relative humidity should be less than 50%.

Too much moisture absorption can shorten the lifespan of your air purifier’s filter. To avoid condensation damage, ensure it’s not close to any sources of moisture. You can also employ the option of a dehumidifier in this situation.

Bathrom with oval mirror near closed toilet bowl and bathe with printed tiles

Next to Electronics

It’s also vital to keep your air purifier away from electronic devices as some electronics that run on similar wavelengths can cause interference. So, keep them away from televisions, stereo requirements, and microwaves. When they’re situated near your router, they can also cause your WiFi to lose signal. 

The impact of your air purifier on your devices depends on several factors. Sometimes a little trial-and-error approach is required, primarily if you use an ionic air purifier. But, make sure electronics are at least six feet away from your air purifier. 

Ionic air purifiers produce charged particles that bond to filthy air particles; therefore, placing one near electronics is bad. The dirt particles in the air will drop on the closest surface as the charged particles bind to them.

The Best Locations for Your Air Purifier

When you find yourself wondering, “where should I put my air purifier?” your primary goal may be to maximize the airflow through your purifier. Here are some spots where you can place your air purifier to achieve its maximum capacity.

Living Room

If you spend a lot of time in the living room, putting your air purifier, there might be your go-to option. Your living room has one of the best sources of air infiltration in your homes, such as by the door or windows. 

Since dirt particles from outside have the possibility of coming inside your home as people enter and leave, it may be helpful to place them near the front door. If you position your air purifier close to the door, your device can filter the unclean air outside before it enters your home.

Make sure the air purifier you choose for the living room is large enough to filter all the air in the space. Since the living room is generally the largest in the house, the air purifier’s cleaning capability must be adequate for that space.

Bedroom

Air pollution can affect sleep duration, according to a study. There are several ways air pollution might disrupt sleep, such as the increased risk of sleep-disordered breathing. Dirty air particles in the bedroom might disturb your respiratory system and even impair your sleep. As a result, it’s critical to keep the air in your bedroom clean.

If you spend the maximum time in the bedroom or work there, it might be the ideal location to place the air purifier. Make sure you create enough space between the device, the walls, and other obstacles. Although this might be difficult in a bedroom, you should always aim for your air purifier to have enough room to operate without obstructions.

Man sleeping on white bed in the morning

Kitchen

Your kitchen is likely a breeding ground for various odors and spores. Putting your air purifier there will help you displace odors before they spread throughout your home.

Food particles, mold, and cooking residues are all sources of pollutants in the air. Smoke is one of the pollutants that can affect the air quality in your kitchen when you’re cooking. If you cook regularly, your air purifier’s filter may need to be changed more frequently.

But, if you’re going to put your air purifier in the kitchen, it should be close to the trash can. Smoke, oil, and food particles will quickly gather in the filter of your air purifier. Ensure that your air purifier is free from any object and heat sources. 

Using a carbon pre-filter will also help your air purifier remove aromas from the kitchen. Carbon pre-filters overcome odor particles, ensuring that no odors are released into the air in your kitchen.

Basement

The basement is often a neglected section of your home, often dirty, dark, and damp. Mold spores could form due to the increased wetness, which is a severe health risk for those close to the basement. 

You can avoid mold and pollutants with an air purifier. This will preserve the quality and integrity of stored items like books and furniture. However, there are additional ways to remove musty basement smells.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Purifier Placement

Can Air Purifiers Be Moved from Room to Room?

Air purifiers are very portable and mobile. They are typically lightweight, weighing less than 20 pounds. When looking for the ideal location for our air purifier, you don’t need one for each room, as mentioned above.

You can effectively increase access to polluted indoor air by moving your air purifier from the living room to the bedroom and baby room, for example. This can have a considerable influence on how well the air purifier works.

An air purifier’s adequacy can be increased simply by moving it around rather than setting it up in a single space. You can also get rid of any odors in your garage with the help of an air purifier.

Does it Matter Where I Put My Air Purifier?

As mentioned above, the placement of an air purifier plays a crucial role in its performance. You must choose a location where the device isn’t too close to furniture or directly below a shelf. The placement of your air purifier determines its effectiveness in cleaning the air and your home’s safety. If your air purifier tends to overheat, it is best to keep it away from children or pet reach because it can burn their skin or harm their health in other ways.

Mother sitting on the carpet in the kitchen playing with her kids and dog

Can You Put Air Purifier in a Corner?

Place the air purifier in an area with a high exchange of airflow. The airflow is lowest in a corner, reducing the device’s effectiveness. You can lose your air purifier’s maximum capacity if you place it in a corner. 

Should I Run My Air Purifier 24/7?

Since an air purifier works just like other appliances in your home, it can be expensive to run it all the time if it is not needed. Even if you’ve found the perfect placement for your air purifier, it is best not to keep it running all day and night if you’re not home. If you spend all your time at home, it is safe to keep it running 24/7. However, if you spend time outside your home, it is best to keep it off during those times. You can use the formula below to calculate the potential costs of running your air purifier 24/7.

Cost = Power Consumption of the unit (kW) x Rate of Electricity ($/kWh) x Hours of Operation

It is also important to remember that an air purifier alone cannot transform your home. It would help if you also were consistent with cleaning your home by vacuuming, mopping, and dusting regularly. Cleaning all aspects of your home will contribute to a cleaner environment.

Conclusion

Deciding where to place your air purifier requires a strategic move. Considering all the above factors will allow you to decide the unit’s placement.

If you purchase a portable air purifier, you can move the unit around and use it wherever you deem necessary. Finding the perfect spot for your air purifier is the next big step after purchasing the unit. Ensuring that you make the right decision about its placement will allow you to enjoy clean air at all times.

Joseph and Family
About Joseph D. Nielson

Former journalist and editor for various press groups, I now dedicate my time to reviewing products for the home and family life. When I get time to myself, I enjoy rock climbing, taking my dirt bike for a rip, and most importantly providing my family with the best home possible!