Using A Purifier
Positioning your purifier:
When you set an air purifier up, where you position it can affect its effectiveness. First, be sure you are using it an a room that is equal to or smaller than the designated square footage for the machine. If it is in a larger room, the unit will not be able to effectively circulate all the air and it may never get fully clean.
Secondly, the purifier will only clean the air of the room it is in. It cannot effectively clean adjacent rooms or rooms separated by a door way; it will only work in open space. Make sure the unit is positioned fully in the room that you want it work in and that all the windows of that room are closed.
Finally, while the unit does not need to be positioned in the center of the room, make sure that there are at least 6 inches of space on each side of the unit to allow it to properly circulate air.
When to use your purifier:
For best results, leave your purifier running at all times. Most purifiers are very energy efficient and several brands even specialize in especially low wattage units. You may choose to adjust the speed throughout the day to accomodate your schedule. For example, some users like to leave their purifier on high during the day when they are out of the house and then leave it on low during the evenings so as to avoid any noise the unit might make.
Changing Filters:
All purifier filters will require some maintenance. Some units come with permanent filters that need to be washed or cleaned regularly. However, most units require replacement filters throughout their lives. Pre-filters typically have a shorter life span, lasting somewhere between 3-18 months, depending on the unit. Virtually all pre-filters cannot be cleaned and will need to be replaced at the prescribed intervals. Main filters usually last somewhere between 6 months and five years. Often these filters can be vacuumed or dusted to prolong their lives, but be sure to check the instructions for your particular model to see what the guidelines are.
Be sure to account for the cost of extra filters when calculating the overall cost of the unit. Typically the purchase price of longer lasting filters is higher but the actual cost is lower over the lifetime of the filters.