Are Air Purifiers Worth Buying? Here's What Doctors Say

With air quality increasingly becoming a concern, many people wonder if buying an air purifier for their home is worth the investment. We asked doctors about the benefits of air purifiers, who needs them, and what to look for when making a purchase.

What Do Air Purifiers Do?

Air purifiers work by drawing air in and filtering out contaminants like dust, pet dander, mold spores, and chemicals like formaldehyde. This creates cleaner indoor air that may provide health benefits for some people.

“Air purifiers can capture particles we breathe in that would otherwise irritate our respiratory systems,” explains Dr. Amanda Perkins, a family medicine physician. “This includes not only dust and pet dander, but also smoke, chemicals like formaldehyde off-gassing from furniture, and even bacteria and mold.”

Who Needs an Air Purifier?

Doctors agree air purifiers are especially beneficial for people who suffer from allergies and respiratory conditions like asthma. “Cleaner indoor air can help minimize asthma attacks and allergy symptoms,” says Dr. Perkins.

People with environmental sensitivities may also find value from an air purifier. However, they can still provide benefits even if you don’t have any known sensitivities.

Choosing the Best Air Purifier

If you decide an air purifier is right for your home, focus on choosing a reliable brand with proven technology for removing contaminants. HEPA filtration is the gold standard, removing at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size. Also pay attention to the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which measures cubic feet per minute of cleaned air.

Other Air Purifier Buying Tips

Choose the right size unit for the room
Make sure filters are affordable and easy to change
Look for a timer, auto shut-off, and filter change indicator light
Seek low operational noise levels

Frequently Asked Questions

Do air purifiers really work?

Yes, air purifiers are effective at removing airborne particles like dust, pet dander, mold spores, and chemicals when sized and maintained properly. Just make sure to choose a unit with proven filtration technology like HEPA.

Where should I place an air purifier?

Air purifiers work best when air can easily flow into them from all directions. Place them centrally in the room you want to purify, away from walls and furniture.

How often should I change air purifier filters?

Most air purifier manufacturers recommend changing filters every 6-12 months. Check your manual, and reset any filter change indicator lights after a new one is inserted.

Can air purifiers reduce odors?

Yes, air purifiers equipped with carbon filters absorb household odors and chemical fumes emitted from cleaning products, paint, carpets, and furniture.

Are air purifiers bad for your lungs?

No, when properly maintained air purifiers only provide health benefits and cleaner indoor air. They don’t emit any harmful chemicals or byproducts into the home.