You’ve taken the first step toward clean, fresh air by purchasing an air purifier, but now comes the crucial question—where should you place it? Proper placement is essential to ensure your air purifier functions efficiently, effectively improving your home’s air quality.
The best location depends on your home’s layout, your specific air quality concerns, and the type of room where the purifier will be used—but there are some general guidelines that apply. This comprehensive guide will help you determine the ideal spots for your air purifier, with tips for each key area of your home.
General Guidelines for Air Purifier Placement
To maximize performance, follow these general placement guidelines. These tips will help your air purifier function optimally, ensuring your space gets the clean, breathable air it deserves.
1. Place It in a Central Location
For efficient air circulation, situate your air purifier in a central location within the room or space. This ensures that the purifier has unrestricted access to the full volume of air in the area, allowing it to distribute purified air evenly.
- Example: If you’re placing an air purifier in a large living room, keep it somewhere in the middle of the space rather than pushed into a corner.
2. Position It Near Sources of Pollution
If you have specific air quality concerns, such as dust, pet dander, cooking odors, or allergens, position the air purifier close to these sources.
- Place it near your pet's favorite lounging spot to tackle pet hair and dander.
- If you have a cat, position it near the litter box or odor reduction.
- Set it near windows during pollen-heavy seasons to filter allergens. 4
3. Leave Space for Proper Airflow
Air purifiers need room to “breathe.” Keep them at least 6 inches away from walls and furniture so airflow isn’t obstructed. Avoid placing them in tight corners, as restricted airflow reduces efficiency.
Additionally, consider elevating the air purifier, especially in larger rooms. A desk, side table, or countertop can help the unit better circulate air across the entire room.
Where to Place an Air Purifier in Key Rooms
1. The Bedroom
We spend at least 8 hours in the bedroom each night, so it’s a prime candidate for air purification. Breathing clean air can improve the quality of your sleep. In an independent study with SleepScore Labs, PuroAir’s purifiers led participants to report a 57% increase in sleep quality and a 61% increase in sleep satisfaction. 2 To improve the air you breathe while sleeping, ensure the air purifier is positioned close to your bed.
- Best Placement: Near your bedside table or within 6–10 feet of where you rest. This ensures you’re inhaling clean air throughout the night.
- Sleep Optimization: Many purifiers produce a gentle white noise that can aid sleep. However, if the sound distracts you, position the purifier slightly farther from the bed while still keeping it in the room.
2. The Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the main sources of odors and indoor air pollution. Cooking often releases smoke, airborne grease, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from oils or burnt food. Left unaddressed, these pollutants can linger in your home’s air.
- Best Placement: Place the air purifier near the cooking area, but be sure to maintain open airflow.
- Filter Considerations: If odor control is what you’re after, look for a HEPA filter with an activated carbon layer, like the PuroAir filters. The activated carbon layer absorbs odor molecules from cooking while the HEPA layer filters particles. 1
- Pro Tip: Open windows and run ventilation fans for additional airflow while cooking. Using these methods alongside your air purifier will significantly improve indoor air quality.
3. The Living Room
The living room often serves as the heart of the home—a space for relaxation, family time, and entertaining guests. Because it’s a high-traffic area, this room is often exposed to a lot of airborne pollutants, like dust and pet dander.
- Best Placement: Choose a central location in the room, and keep the unit clear of furniture and walls for optimal circulation.
- Consider Pets: If your pets spend most of their time in the living room, place the air purifier near their favorite lounging spots to ensure dander and hair are quickly filtered. 3
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Air Purifier
1. Move It Around If Needed
If you have air quality concerns in multiple rooms and own only one purifier, consider moving it throughout the day. For example:
- Use it in the bedroom overnight.
- Shift it to the kitchen while cooking.
- Relocate it to the living room during the evening.
2. Check the Sensors
If you’re using a purifier with smart sensors, such as PuroAir’s models, the device will automatically adjust its settings based on real-time air quality. Place it near problem areas so it can identify dips in air quality and adapt accordingly.
3. Clean or Replace Filters Regularly
A frequently overlooked step, maintenance is key to keeping your purifier effective. Dirty, clogged filters will reduce performance, so check your unit’s schedule for cleaning or replacement.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality Today
An air purifier is a powerful tool for improving indoor air quality, but its placement is just as important as the purifier itself. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can optimize performance, tackle key sources of pollution, and create a healthier living environment.