Choose the Right Portable Air Cleaner for the Home

EPA’s Guidance Can Help Consumers Understand What to Consider When Purchasing Home Air Cleaners

Whether you are in the market for a portable air cleaner for your home or you were thinking about gifting one this holiday season, EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home can help you make a well-informed decision.

The pandemic has led to increased interest in home ventilation and air cleaning devices. When used properly, air cleaners and HVAC filters can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a building or small space. Consumers can use EPA’s guidance for tips to help select the right portable air cleaner, furnace filter, or HVAC filter for their home.

Will air cleaners improve my indoor air quality? Using a portable air cleaner along with other best indoor practices such as ventilating with clean outdoor air, removing pollutant sources, and upgrading your air filters can help improve your overall indoor air quality. How do I select a portable air cleaner for my home that can help protect against COVID-19? To choose a portable air cleaner that can effectively remove viruses, select one that is intended for the room size in which it will be used and be sure it meets at least one of the following criteria: It is designated as High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA), It is Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rated, or The manufacturer states that the device will remove most particles in the size range below 1 micrometer (μm). Most manufacturers provide this information on the air cleaner packaging, label, or website description. Please note, however, that by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough. It should be used along with other ventilation strategies described on EPA’s website and best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more about indoor air and COVID-19.

Tips for selecting and using a portable air cleaner:

• Never buy or use an air cleaner that generates ozone, a lung irritant.
• Choose an air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is large enough for the size of the room. The higher the CADR the more particles an air cleaner can capture and remove from the air and the larger the room it can be used in.
• Running your air cleaner at a higher speed and for a longer time will help improve the air cleaner’s effectiveness.
• Place your air cleaner in the rooms where you spend more of your time such as your living room or bedroom.
• Replace filters regularly and follow all air cleaner manufacturing maintenance instructions.

Read EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home for more details and tips.