How Many Air Purifiers Do I Need

Last updated on Jan 4, 2022 FEATURED

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Due to the increasing indoor air quality concerns globally, doctors are recommending using air purifiers. Moreover, most health institutions have approved air purifiers to be the most reliable solution for reducing indoor air pollution. However, many people remain confused about the number of air purifiers they need in the house.

If you are a first-time user, or you want to further improve your indoor air quality, we will guide you through how many purifiers might work for you. First, you should note that the number of air purifiers needed depends on two major factors. These may include the size of the house and pollutants around the house.

These two factors can help you determine the number of air purifiers you need in your house. In this article, we recommend using at least one air purifier for each room. Find out why we recommend so.

Size of the House

Here is an image showing an open floor house — One roomed Apartment

Here is an image showing whole house plan — Open floor plan

As discussed above, one of the main factors that determine the number of air purifiers you may need is the size of the house. This means if you have a small house, one air purifier may be enough for you. However, if you have a big mansion, you will need multiple air purifiers.

Take for example, one air purifier may perfectly purify an open floor apartment. This is because an average size of an open floor apartment is about 800 square feet. Certainly, there are various air purifiers that can single-handedly purify spaces of up to 1500 square feet. So, one air purifier can be enough for open floors of that size.

However, this may be a different story when it comes to big houses with many rooms. In such houses, you will need more than one air purifier to maintain good air quality. For instance, several air purifiers will be needed for a 6000 or more square foot mansion. Indoor small units have no capacity to cleanse such large spaces.

Besides, the walls in between may act as barriers for air purifiers. Although the air purifier has the capacity to purify spaces of 1000 square feet, it may be limited to just 300 square feet. The walls around or even closed room doors may force the unit to work only within the room it is in.

Many people may argue that one powerful air purifier connected to an HVAC system can purify the whole house. Well, this is true, such air purifiers can effectively cleanse the whole house. However, you should note that such air purifiers may not be very helpful if there are numerous pollutants in the house. This takes us to the next factor that determines the number of air purifiers needed.

Contaminants around the House

Here is an image of a girl smoking — A girl smoking

This factor plays a significant role when it comes to deciding on how many air purifiers you need at home. You should note that there are no air purifiers that can remove all contaminants. This means a house with multiple contaminants may need more air purifiers. Take for example, a good air purifier for the kitchen, may not be as effective in the basement. This is because of varying contaminants in the kitchen and basements.

This is where the idea of one strong air purifier connected to an HVAC system may not work. A particular air purifier may be so effective in removing odors, smoke, and dust, but fail to reduce radon, microorganisms, and asbestos. So, if different rooms in a house have varying pollutants, a single air purifier may not be good.

However, a single air purifier with a HEPA and carbon filter can be good for a two or three-bedroom house. On the other hand, in a big mansion with several rooms including gyms, basements, and swimming pools one air purifier may not be so effective. You need to install air purifiers in each room.

One or More Air Purifiers in House?

If you prefer indoor-size air purifiers, you need to ensure it has the capacity to cover your largest room. A kitchen or bedroom of 500 square feet needs an air purifier that has this purifying coverage. However, you will have to keep shifting the air purifier from room to room.

One heavy-duty air purifier can be better if you have an average-sized house with an HVAC system. But, you need to ensure the pollutants it can remove are those that are present.

Only one air purifier in a house might not be effective in providing all round air quality. This is because the unit might be removing specific pollutants and leaving out others.

It is costly to purchase air purifiers for every room and maintain them.

Even though all your family members live together, they might have different health conditions. For instance, people with asthma and sinus might not tolerate allergens as well as others do. So, everyone should have an air purifier that addresses what affects them in their respective rooms.

Although an air purifier has good coverage, it might be impaired by walls, doors, or furniture. This affects its purification work in other rooms at a distance. For that matter, it is better to have an air purifier in every room.

How You Can Determine The Number Of Air Purifiers You Need

The capacity of Air Purifier You Have or Intend to Purchase

The area coverage capacity of an air purifier to be used in your home can help you tell the number of devices you need. For instance, if you intend to purify a space of 1000 square feet, you need an air purifier that can match this size. Otherwise, if your air purifier has a coverage capacity of 500 square feet, you definitely need a second unit.

The health of People Around

Although you stay in one house, some people may have varying health issues. For example, some people may be battling, asthma, or allergies. Such people are commonly affected by dust, mold, dust mites, and pollen. But, these pollutants may not have significant effects on other people. So, you may need an air purifier in each one’s room to protect their health. However, if you are alone or are sharing a bedroom, one air purifier may be enough.

Pollution Levels

Pollutios levels in a home can also help you determine how many air purifiers you need. Those near roads or construction sites are more vulnerable to increased pollution. This is because pollution coming from traffic and building material is too much. In this case, you need an air purifier in every room to combat the pollution.

Our Take

As highlighted in the introduction, we recommend using more than one air purifier. One air purifier can be effective for air purification. However, it might not be sufficient in case you have many rooms or too much pollution.

One air purifier can be impaired by walls and closed doors. This means if being used in a house with many rooms, others may not fully benefit. But, if you live in an open floor house, one air purifier can be good for you.

In addition, if you have more than one room, it is better to have an air purifier in each room. This can help prevent pollution accumulation in every room. This is impossible if you are using one air purifier, as you have to move with the unit when moving to other rooms. Multiple air purifiers can help deal with different pollutants in a house. As shown above, different air purifiers have varying strengths in regard to particular pollutants. So, by using more than one air purifier, you can significantly reduce air contaminants in the house.

Conclusion

Upon reading to the end, we believe you now have a clue on how many air purifiers you need. We think it is better to have an air purifier in at least in every room. This will help you manage purification depending on the present contaminants. However, if you have a single room, one air purifier maybe enough. But, you will have to ensure the air purifier can match the room size. Apart from that, every room should have an air purifier for improved all round indoor air quality.