As you gather to celebrate holidays throughout the season, you may be wondering about the quality of the air in your home.
Contaminants in your home can come from a variety of sources, such as:
- fuel-burning appliances
- wood smoke
- cleaning products
- second-hand smoke
- pet dander
- consumer products, such as cleaning products or craft supplies
All of these can impact your indoor air quality and potentially affect your health. The best ways to improve indoor air quality are to remove or reduce the source of the pollutants and to ventilate your home with clean, outdoor air.
Air purifiers, also referred to as portable air cleaners, can also help make your indoor air quality better by capturing small particles with a high-quality filter. Keep in mind that air purifiers do not remove gases and are designed to clean only a single room.
Here are tips to help you choose the best air purifier for your home this season:
- Measure the dimensions of the room where you will use your air purifier and calculate the square footage.
- Look for a unit tested by Consumer Reports or certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
- Look for the suggested room size and the clean air delivery rate (CADR) on the AHAM label. Choose an air purifier sized for the room in which you will use it.
- The CADR describes how well the machine reduces tobacco smoke, dust and pollen. The higher the number, the more particles the air purifier can remove.
- Avoid devices that produce ozone, as ozone can impact your health. The California Air Regulatory Board lists units that have passed testing for ozone emissions.
- Consider selecting a unit with a lower noise rating.
Once you have selected the air purifier, make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for placement and operation to ensure good airflow. Generally, higher fan speeds and longer run times will increase the amount of air that’s filtered. Make sure to clean or replace filters as often as recommended by the manufacturer.
Find more information on protecting your indoor air at canada.ca/airhealth
