Air purifiers improve indoor air quality by cleaning the air. They use filters to trap these particles. This means that they can only purify the air as long as their filters are still working. You need to maintain it, including its filters, to make sure you can use it effectively. This means that you need to know when to use air purifier replacement filters.
This article will discuss that. Find out how often you typically need to change the filters of your air purifier. You should also learn what signs to look for to determine that it’s time for some replacements.
How Often Do You Need to Change Your Air Purifier Filters?
An air purifier's performance depends on its filters' effectiveness. When its filters are already full of trapped particles, it can’t clean the air anymore. You’ll only be consuming electricity but not improving air quality. This makes filter replacement utterly important.
In general, it’s recommended that you change filters every 12 months. But ultimately, the specific time would still depend on many factors, including:
Types of Filters Used
Different filters may require different changing frequencies. For example, permanent pre-filters don’t need to be replaced but must be cleaned occasionally. Aside from that, here’s how often these filters necessarily need to be replaced:
- HEPA: This can trap the tiniest particles. As a rule of thumb, you should replace it every 6 to 12 months. But, many manufacturers recommend 6 months most of the time.
- Activated Carbon: This is designed to remove VOCs from the air. So, a ballpark replacement estimate is every 3 to 6 months.
Existing Indoor Air Quality
Ultimately, despite what type of filter your purifier is using, the quality of the air in your home will affect how soon you need to replace the filter. Remember, your activities and home’s location can affect this air quality. Some of these include:
- Pollution from the outdoors if you live in the city
- Smoking inside
- Cooking
- Location near a construction site
- Use of cleaning agents and personal care products
- Burning scented candles
- Use of wood-burning stove or fireplace
If you notice that these easily affect your indoor air quality, it would be best to check and replace your filters more often.
Allergies or Asthma
Health conditions can also affect the frequency of necessary filter replacement, especially if anyone in the household has allergies or asthma. People who struggle with these are more sensitive particles, like pollen and dust mites. To make sure when’s the right time to change, check your filter at least once a month. This is so you can avoid experiencing asthma attacks and allergy symptoms.
Pets
Having pets at home also affects indoor air quality. Pet dander and hair can increase the volume of airborne particles, and their waste can cause bad odors inside. If they love going outdoors, they can also bring dirt and dust at home. If you have more than one pet, you might need to change your filters more often. But if it’s only one, your checking schedule shouldn’t vary that much.
How Often the Unit Is Used
Lastly, how often you use your air purifier will affect how much particles will be trapped in the filters. This means that this will also affect how often you need to change the filters. If you use it every day, it’s best to check more frequently and change filters sooner.
Signs That You Need Air Purifier Replacement Filters
Ultimately, you need to understand and consider all the variables mentioned above to determine how exactly often you need to change your air purifier filters. Still, checking is the best way to confirm that it’s time for replacements. Here are other noticeable signs that they need to be changed:
- The air purifier doesn’t seem to work properly
- Your space looks dustier than usual
- An air purifier is making unusual noises
- Filters look gray and dirty upon checking
Plus, the most telltale sign that your filters need changing is when your air purifier tells you to. Many air purifiers come with filter replacement indicators. This will notify you, whether through an app or with a color indicator when it’s time for filter changing. This way, if you’ve been busy and weren’t able to notice some of the signs listed above, you’ll still be able to know when it’s time for replacements.
Conclusion
Overall, you need air purifier replacement filters if your current air purifier filters are very dirty. For it to work properly and effectively, make sure to check for signs. But for a more streamlined schedule, it’s best to change your HEPA filter every 6 months and your activated carbon filter every 3 months. Of course, if you’re dealing with some serious air quality issues, you can change it sooner and more often in a year.
For more purifying needs, you can visit our air purifier collection. You can also check out our products if you’re still on the lookout for a good air purifier unit!
