Why Don't Air Purifiers Make the Air Dry? Simply put, an air purifier has no mechanism for drawing moisture from the air. As air passes through the filter material, particulates and/or chemical gases are captured. Moisture, though, cannot be captured by air purifier filters in any appreciable quantity.
However, air purifiers don't directly affect humidity, as they don't remove moisture from the air. But they can cause indoor air to feel drier than normal.
Air purifiers are not dehumidifiers. Indeed, they can reduce humidity since they increase air circulation. However, the amount of humidity reduced by an air purifier is almost wholly neglectable. Therefore, air purifiers do not dry out sinuses under normal conditions.
Bottom Line: Do Air Purifiers Dry Out the Air? HEPA air purifiers do not reduce humidity. Carbon filters slightly reduce humidity. Caveat: if an air purifier or fan blows air directly onto your body, it can increase evaporation from your body and make you feel dry.
What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.
Since air pollution is a pervasive and continuous problem, it's best to leave your air purifier on all day. There are no perceived drawbacks to keeping your unit running all the time, and if the filters are changed on time it can help to reduce pollutants in the home.
Should I Sleep With an Air Purifier On? The short answer: yes. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recommends an air purifier during bedtime to promote better breathing while you sleep.
Headaches, sore throat, coughing, Asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing are a few of the symptoms that can be brought on by some air purifiers.
Air purifiers do not add any moisture to the air. A humidifier, on the other hand, does not clean the air or remove airborne allergens. It simply adds water to the air by boiling water into steam, vibrating water droplets into the air with ultrasonic technology , or by evaporating the water using a fan and a wick.
One of the most common questions people who haven't used an air purifier before have is whether or not they can dry out the air. We can tell you up front that the idea of air purifiers making the air dry is a myth.
“Any airborne particulates, like pet dander, dust, and pollen can make the inflammation and narrowing of the air passage worse,” Dr. Bailey says. “This would cause further congestion and louder wheezing. By removing these particulates with a purifier, it removes that risk of worsening your condition.”
The nose warms and humidifies the air inhaled with moisture that evaporates from the lining of the nasal passage. When exposed to cold and dry air, the lining of the nose becomes irritated and inflamed, and it produces more mucus, resulting in nasal congestion.
Dry air inside your home is often caused by central heating and poor insulation isn't just a minor inconvenience. It can lead to mild to serious health effects you want to avoid for yourself and for your family.
While a humidifier can add moisture to the air, it is not designed to remove pollutants or allergens. If you want to improve the air quality in your home or office, an air purifier is a better choice.
The main difference between an air purifier and a dehumidifier is that the former works to remove particulates from the air while the latter removes moisture. Both can affect the air quality in our environments.
If the problem is dust, pet dander, then the best air purifier location will be a living room. And if you have deep concerns about the air when you sleep, then it is also an excellent choice to put air purifier in the bedroom, after all, we all spend eight or more hours in the bedroom.
Air Purifier Placement Tips and Takeaways
Keep your device away from heat sources. Keep your device away from moisture or areas with high humidity. Place your device at least 6 inches from walls, furniture, or other items while in use. Place your air purifier near the most likely source of indoor air pollution.
Won't remove every particle: Unfortunately, HEPA filters will not remove pollutants from the air that are smaller than 0.3 microns, including viruses, some bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are household items like hairspray and ammonia that are too small for a HEPA filter to eliminate.
High-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters: These are the true high end of filtration and are able to filter out 0.3 micron particles. HEPA filters drastically restrict airflow and should only be matched to a compatible system.
When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. However, by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.
Yes, you should run your air purifier 24/7 and you shouldn't turn it off anytime. In fact it's recommended to not switch off your air purifier at any time of the day or night, even when you're sleeping or not at home.
How Long To Run Your Air Purifier? So to recap, run your air purifier unit for at least 12 hours a day. This is a good rule of thumb. Again, it's okay if you don't stick to this schedule every day, but be aware that the more you run your air purifier the fresher and cleaner it will be all year long.
When should I run my air purifier? We recommend that you run your air purifier 24 hours a day. However, if this is not practical for your situation there are proper ways to use your air purifier to maximize its performance.