How Long Should an Air Purifier Run? - Your Elegant Bar

August 01, 2023 6 min read 2 Comments

The 2023 “State of the Air” report reveals that about 120 million Americans are living in areas with unhealthy air quality – a clear indication of the rising popularity in air purifiers.

Air purifiers have become one of the most highly recommended appliances over the years. According to Consumer Reports, approximately 1 in 4 American households now own an air purifier.

More and more people are talking about the effects of good air filtration on our overall well-being. For new and old owners alike, a question still looms on everybody’s minds – should I run my air purifier 24/7? Yes, absolutely! Here are the reasons why.

1. Air purifiers are designed to work around the clock

Air purifiers are made to operate nonstop. High-end air purifiers are equipped with energy-efficient motors that are not only ultra-quiet but guaranteed to work for many years. The best air purifiers undergo rigorous testing before they are sold on the market, making sure that they reach their optimal performance and are ready for long term use.

When choosing a home air purifier, consider the brand if you plan to run it 24/7. Reputable brands make machines with excellent build -quality, long-lasting filters, and robust fan motors. Avoid low-quality home air purifiers that may not only perform poorly but also cause safety issues.

Are there any times you shouldn’t run your air purifier?

How often should you run an air purifier? Can you leave an air purifier on all night? Absolutely!

It’s advised to keep your air purifier turned on all day and night, even when you’re sleeping or not at home. Many people think that switching it off during the night or when they’re not present is a logical energy-saving measure, but it is recommended to keep it running constantly.

Once you turn off your air purifier, the air quickly becomes contaminated again with dust, dander, mold, and other pollutants present in the air. Moreover, particulates are released into the air, every time a door or window is opened or outside packages are opened. Even when doors and windows remain closed, contaminants manage to enter as homes are never completely sealed.

Ultimately, switching off the purifier would completely undo the purification process and its effects enjoyed until that point. So, unless you’re okay with sacrificing air quality, your air purifier should be on all the time.

2. Air purifiers offer a continuous filtration process

Running an air purifier consistently is the key to achieving the highest possible air quality level. Air purifiers work by filtering air, ensuring clean and fresh breathing. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain good air filtration in your home or office for the amazing benefits it brings.

Dust is everywhere and contaminants such as smoke, bacteria, viruses, and even pet dander are always present in the air. Running an air purifier continuously removes all these allergens so you do not inhale them accidentally.

If you switch off the air filtration system, you’re essentially stopping the air purification process. So, as air continues to be circulated through the system, whether naturally or on account of doors and windows opening and closing, smoke and other new pollutants will enter the space, contaminating the air again.

Therefore, running the air purifier at all times is the best way to ensure your family breathes clean indoor air that is constantly cleaned of new contaminants and other harmful particles that enter your house.

Plus, a constant air filtration process also effectively eliminates dust build-up so it does not settle on walls, mirrors, draperies, and furniture.

How often should you change air purifier filters?

For true HEPA filters, experts recommend disposal and replacement every six months to one year, whereas electrostatic and activated carbon filters should be cleaned monthly.

If you encounter significant indoor air pollution, you may need to change the filter more often. This might be the case if you live in a highly polluted area like a city center or during wildfire season.

Additionally, if you have allergies or asthma symptoms, or if you have pets, you might need to change the air filter more frequently. If you're unsure whether your filter needs changing before 12 months, simply check it for any signs of clogging.

3. Air purifiers consume less electricity

Rabbit Air MinusA2 Silent HEPA Filter Air PurifierA common practice in many households is to not leave the air purifier on all the time; instead, people tend to switch it on and off The strategy is often believed to save on energy costs, but it’s actually unnecessary and counterproductive.

Air purifiers don’t use much electricity compared to other home appliances. When running 24/7, most HEPA air purifiers rated 50 to 100 watts per hour would only set you back around $4 to $10 monthly or $72 to $120 in a year. So, leaving your air purifier on all the time won’t send your utility bills shooting sky high.

More importantly, firing up your air purifier at intervals won’t help your cause as it won’t generate the clean indoor air that you desire. As new pollutants enter your home through the air, they will undo the effects of the previous purifier cycle, lowering the air quality.

So, in order to purify the indoor air again, you will have to naturally switch on your purifier and wait at least 30 minutes to a few hours to enjoy pure air that’s free of contaminants.

Modern air purifiers are highly efficient similar to the Rabbit Air MinusA2 which offers an average savings of up to $1,178.05 within 5 years. Energy Star-certified air purifiers use less energy and help you save money, so running them all the time will have little impact on your power bill.

How much does it cost to run your air purifier all day?

It’s believed that air purifiers consume a ton of electricity. However, that's far from true. Fortunately, air purifiers do not consume a huge amount of power.

Most HEPA air purifiers utilize a low amount of energy - around 50-100 watts of energy every hour based on the airflow speed. So, even with a 24-hour operation, the monthly energy bill would amount to around $4-10 each month.

So, is it cost-effective to run your air purifier 24/7? The simple answer is yes, you should. Contrary to popular belief, it wouldn’t significantly increase your energy bills. For maximum energy and cost savings, it’d be best to opt for an energy-efficient air purifier.

4. Most air purifiers have an auto mode feature

Airgle AG900 Medical-Grade Air Purifier with PCO TechnologyAuto mode is a clever feature that automatically adjusts the air purifier's fan speed depending on the volume of air pollution. The machine uses its built-in smart sensors to detect the high level of air contaminants and ramps up the fan speed to eliminate them.

On the other hand, the fan will run at a low setting if air pollution is marginal. It’s a great feature that allows you to leave your air purifier on all the time, without consuming a lot of energy and running your utility bills high.

Having a home air purifier with an auto mode function like the Airgle AG900 is very useful when running an air filtration system constantly. Auto mode not only helps conserve energy but effectively keeps the noise level at a minimum. Low energy consumption means more savings, while a silent air purifier creates a relaxing and comfortable environment for you and your family.

5. Most air purifiers are protected against short circuits

As a safety precaution, most air purifiers are integrated with short circuit protection that automatically cuts the power to the machine or turns it off when an electrical malfunction is detected.

If you plan to keep the air purifier on all the time, having short-circuit protection is extremely important, especially at night when everyone is asleep. No more worries about the home air purifier causing a fire hazard. This safety feature definitely offers peace of mind.

Make the Most of Your Air Purifier By Running It 24/7

Considering all the above points, should you leave your air purifier on all the time? Yes, by all means! In fact, that’s how you can make the most of your air purifier,: by running it 24/7. This energy-efficient appliance is engineered to operate continuously. But if you are still worried about it jacking up your electricity bill, simply turn the air purifier on at its lowest setting or get a plant. Houseplants produce natural oxygen that enables your air purifier to work less hard.

Air purifiers are not a fad after all! With the right kind of filter, they are a workhorse at removing the smoke smell, dust, dust mites, pet hair, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and even strong odors that linger in the air. Simply leave your air purifier on all the time and watch the machine work its magic all day and all night long. And remember that the cleaner the air you breathe, the healthier you become.

We've got more to offer!

You've got the perfect air purifier, now go get the perfect humidor. Here at Your Elegant Bar, we can get you set up with a cabinet, locker, cooler, desktop, or travel humidors for all your cigar-loving needs. We can even create a custom humidor with top-of-the-line humidifiers just for you. Start exploring today!

2 Responses

Jordan Mahon
Jordan Mahon

December 05, 2023

Hi yourelegantbar.com webmaster, Your posts are always well-supported and evidence-based.

Jeannie
Jeannie

December 05, 2023

When not in the bedroom should I run the air purifer on low? I run it on the sleep cycle at night. Also my door won’t close tight so it’s open a little. Does this matter?

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