How Long Does It Take an Air Purifier to Clean a Room?

When you get an air purifier, you’re likely to wonder, “How long does it take to clean a room’s air?”

It’s a valid concern. Since air is invisible, it’s hard for us to tell if the purifier is doing its job or if the air is truly clean.

If you’re curious about the effectiveness and timing of an air purifier, stick with us. We’ll provide all the insights you need.

Understanding the Basics of Air Purifiers

First, it’s important to know that the time it takes for an air purifier to clean a room depends on several factors. These include the size of the room, the power of the air purifier, and the air quality in the room.

Room Size Matters

The size of your room is crucial.

Generally, air purifiers are built to clean a specific area size in about 20-45 minutes.

But, this time frame can vary.

Using an air purifier meant for 60 sqm (645 sqft) in a 20 sqm (215 sqft) room will clean the air much faster compared to a less powerful purifier in a larger room.

Ultimately, it boils down to the purifier’s power, which is our next point of discussion.

CADR and The Power of Air Purifiers

An air purifier’s efficiency is gauged by its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), expressed in cubic meters per hour (m3/hr) or cubic feet per minute (cfm).

A higher CADR indicates a more powerful air purifier. For quicker air cleaning, choose a purifier designed for larger rooms than yours. This can rapidly clear contaminants, often in just minutes.

Air Quality

The level of pollutants in the air also affects the cleaning time. If the air is very polluted, it will take longer to clean. This is because the purifier has to work harder to filter out more particles.

A General Estimate

As a rough guide, a standard air purifier used in its recommended room size should be able to bring air quality to a safe level within 45 minutes.

But remember, this can vary based on the factors I mentioned above.

A Real-World Test

I conducted a test on The Sqair air purifier’s cleaning speed in a typical bedroom. To simulate air pollution, I lit an incense stick and used an external air quality monitor to measure the pollution levels.

It took around 35 minutes for the Sqair to clean and bring a heavily polluted room to safe levels. This proves that air purifiers work.

Tips for Faster Cleaning

Choose the Right Size Purifier: Make sure your air purifier is suitable for the size of your room.

Regular Maintenance: Keep your air purifier in good condition. Regularly clean or replace filters as recommended.

Optimal Placement: Place your air purifier in an open area and avoid corners for better airflow.

How Can You Tell if Your Air Purifier Is Working?

It’s hard to tell if your air purifier works because air pollution isn’t visible.

Many air purifiers have sensors to indicate air quality. But these aren’t always reliable. They’re often of basic quality and only measure air close to the purifier, where air is usually cleaner.

It’s better to use a separate air quality monitor. Put it across the room to check if the air purifier cleans the whole area. If the monitor shows good air quality, your purifier is likely working well.

Should You Run Your Air Purifier All The Time?

You don’t need to run your air purifier when you’re not home. It just adds to your electricity bill. Most air purifiers can clean a room in about 45 minutes.

Just turn it on when you get home. If your purifier has smart features and an app, you can start it remotely as you head home.

To have clean air while sleeping, let the purifier run overnight. Then, turn it off when you wake up and leave.

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