Commercial Air Purification Questions and Answers
Everything you need to know about Commercial Air Purification
Frequently asked questions
General questions
Air purifiers help clean many kinds of dirty things from the air:
-Dust that floats in the air
- Tiny bits from people sneezing or coughing
-Pollen from plants that makes some people sneeze
-Mold bits that can make people sick
-Smoke from outside or cooking
-Smells from food, trash, or bathrooms
-Chemicals from cleaning products or new furniture
HEPA filters are special super-strong filters that catch very tiny things in the air. They help by:
- Catching at least 99.97% of tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns (that's super tiny!)
- Removing dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores
- Trapping bacteria and some viruses
- Working better than regular filters
- Making the air much cleaner for everyone
- Helping people with allergies or breathing problems
Filters need to be changed regularly to keep your air purifier working well, replacement timelines may vary depending on manufacturer instructions and usage conditions:
- Most HEPA filters need changing every 6-12 months
- Carbon filters (that remove smells) usually need changing every 3-6 months
- Pre-filters (that catch big dust) might need cleaning or changing every 1-3 months
- Check the filter indicator light if your purifier has one
- Busier places or dustier areas need more frequent changes
-Always follow what the maker of your air purifier recommends
Good commercial air purifiers might have these helpful extras:
- Air quality sensors that show how clean your air is
- Filter change reminders so you know when to replace filters
- Quiet mode for when you need less noise
- Timer settings to run only when needed
- Remote control or app control
- Wheels to move it easily
- UV light to kill germs
- Carbon filters for smells
- Energy-saving settings to use less electricity
A commercial air purifier is a special machine that cleans the air in big spaces like offices, stores, or schools. It uses strong filters to catch tiny bits of dirt, germs, and smells from the air.
Commercial air purifiers are different from home models in a few ways:
-They are bigger and stronger to clean air in large roomsThey can clean more air at once
-They have tougher filters that last longer
-They are made to run all day, every day
-They often have special features for businesses
Clean air is very important in places where lots of people work or visit. Air purifiers help by:
-Taking out germs that can make people sick
- Removing dust and things that cause allergies
-Getting rid of bad smellsMaking the air fresher and cleaner to breathe
- Helping people stay healthy and work better
- Stopping germs from spreading when someone coughs or sneezes
Using an air purifier in your business helps in many ways:
- Keeps your workers healthier so they miss less work
- Makes customers feel better when they visit
- Removes bad smells that might bother people
- Cleans dust that could make computers or machines dirty
- Shows people you care about their health
- Makes the air feel fresher and cleaner
Here are the most important certifications you should know about:
1. ASHRAE Standards
What is it? ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) sets rules for safe and healthy indoor air quality, heating, cooling, and ventilation.
Purpose: To make sure indoor environments are comfortable, safe, and healthy by regulating air quality, airflow, and ventilation.
2. Certified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
What is it? The FDA is a government agency that checks products related to health, food, medicines, and medical devices to ensure they're safe for people.
Purpose: To make sure health-related products are safe, effective, and labeled correctly, protecting people’s health.
3. Certified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
What is it? The EPA is a government agency that protects human health and the environment by making sure products and activities do not harm the air, water, and land.
Purpose: To ensure products or devices are safe for the environment and humans, helping keep air and water clean and safe.
In simple words:
ASHRAE = Indoor air and comfort safety standards
FDA = Safety for health-related products
EPA = Protection of people and the environment
Performance and Specifications
The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) tells how fast an air purifier can clean the air. To find the right CADR for your business:
- Measure the size of your room (length times width)
- For most rooms, you want a CADR that is at least 2/3 of your room size
- For rooms where people need very clean air, pick an even higher CADR
- Bigger rooms need air purifiers with higher CADR numbers
- If your room has high ceilings or many people, you might need a stronger purifier
HEPA filters are special super-strong filters that catch very tiny things in the air. They help by:
- Catching at least 99.97% of tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns (that's super tiny!)
- Removing dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores
- Trapping bacteria and some viruses
- Working better than regular filters
- Making the air much cleaner for everyone
- Helping people with allergies or breathing problems
Filters need to be changed regularly to keep your air purifier working well:
- Most HEPA filters need changing every 6-12 months
- Carbon filters (that remove smells) usually need changing every 3-6 months
- Pre-filters (that catch big dust) might need cleaning or changing every 1-3 months
- Check the filter indicator light if your purifier has one
- Busier places or dustier areas need more frequent changes
-Always follow what the maker of your air purifier recommends
The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is very important! It tells you how fast an air purifier can clean the air in a room.
- Higher CADR numbers mean the purifier cleans air faster
- For most business rooms, look for a CADR that is at least 2/3 of your room size in square feet
- For example, a 300 square foot room should have a purifier with at least 200 CADR
- If your business has lots of people or special air quality needs, pick an even higher CADR
- Different CADR ratings exist for dust, pollen, and smoke
- For most businesses, a CADR of at least 300 is good for medium-sized rooms
CFM (cubic feet per minute) tells how much air moves through the purifier each minute. To know what you need:
- Measure your room's size in cubic feet (length × width × height)
- For normal cleaning, your purifier should be able to clean all the air in the room 2-3 times per hour
- Divide your room's cubic feet by 30 minutes to get the minimum CFM needed
- For example, a room that is 20×20×10 feet = 4,000 cubic feet would need at least 133 CFM
- Rooms with more people or air quality concerns need higher CFM
- When in doubt, choose a higher CFM for better cleaning
Air changes per hour (ACH) means how many times all the air in a room gets cleaned each hour.
- For most businesses, 2-3 air changes per hour is the minimum
- For healthcare settings, schools, or places with many people, 4-6 air changes per hour is better
- For special places like hospitals or labs, 6-12 air changes might be needed
-Higher ACH means cleaner air but might mean a louder or more expensive purifier
- To find ACH, divide the purifier's CFM × 60 by the room's cubic feet
- For example: a 300 CFM purifier in a 3,000 cubic foot room gives 6 ACH (300 × 60 ÷ 3,000 = 6)
Different air purifiers are better at cleaning different types of dirty air:
-For dust and allergens: HEPA filters work very well
- For smoke: You need both HEPA and thick activated carbon filters
- For VOCs (chemical smells): You need special activated carbon filters
- For pet dander: HEPA filters work great- For cooking smells: Activated carbon filters help a lot
- For mold spores: HEPA filters can catch theseCheck what bothers your business most and pick a purifier that's good at removing those specific things.
Some purifiers list exactly what they're best at cleaning on their box or website.
Space and Coverage
The size of air purifier you need depends on how big your room is:
- Measure your room's square footage (length × width)
- Look for an air purifier that says it can clean a room at least as big as yours
- For rooms with high ceilings, many people, or air quality problems, pick a purifier rated for a bigger room than you actually have
- Small offices (up to 300 square feet): Small to medium purifier
- Medium spaces (300-700 square feet): Medium to large purifier
- Large areas (700+ square feet): Large purifier or multiple units
Remember that one big purifier might not clean a space with many walls or separate areas - you might need several smaller units
To find out if an air purifier can clean your whole room:
- Measure your room's length and width in feet
- Multiply these numbers to get square feet (length × width)
- Check the air purifier's box or manual to see what size room it can clean
- Make sure the purifier's rating is at least as big as your room
- For better cleaning, choose a purifier rated for a room 20-30% bigger than yours
- If your ceilings are higher than 8 feet, you'll need a stronger purifier
One air purifier usually works best in a single room:
- Air purifiers clean the air in the room where they are placed
- They don't work well through walls, closed doors, or around corners
- For open floor plans with few walls, one strong unit might work
- For separate rooms or offices, you'll need multiple units
- Hallways or doorways block airflow and make purifiers less effective
- Some large commercial purifiers can clean bigger open areas
- When in doubt, use multiple smaller units placed throughout your space
Features and Functionality
Many air purifiers come with extra features beyond just filters:
- UV-C lamps: These special lights kill germs like bacteria and viruses that get caught in the filter. They use ultraviolet light that stays inside the machine.
- Ionizers: These make tiny electrical charges that help dirt stick together so filters can catch them better. Some people worry these might make a little ozone, which isn't good to breathe.
- Plasma technology: This breaks down germs, smells, and chemicals using electrical fields. It's good for strong smells and germs.
- Photocatalytic oxidation: A fancy way to say it uses light and special materials to break down germs and smells.
These extra features can help clean air better, but they might make the purifier cost more and use more electricity. Some features work better than others, so ask which ones have been tested to work well.
Some air purifiers have special sensors that check how clean your air is:
- Air quality sensors can detect dust, smoke, or chemicals in the air
- They show air quality with colors (like green for clean, red for dirty) or numbers
- Smart purifiers change their cleaning speed based on what the sensors find
- This helps save energy when the air is already clean
- Some show different readings for dust, chemicals, and humidity
- More expensive models might track air quality over time
- Some connect to phone apps so you can see air quality even when you're not there
These sensors help you know if your air is clean and if your purifier is working well.
Smart air purifiers connect to phones or computers:
- Many newer purifiers have apps for your phone. You can turn the purifier on or off from anywhere
- Check air quality when you're not at work. Set schedules for when it should run
- Get alerts when filters need changing. Some work with voice assistants like Alexa or Google
- Some can connect to your building's smart systems
- You might be able to control multiple units from one app
Smart features make purifiers easier to manage, especially if you have many units or a big building.
Energy Star is a special label that shows a machine uses less electricity:
- Energy Star-rated purifiers use at least 40% less electricity than regular ones
- This saves money on electric bills
- They work just as well but cost less to runLook for the blue Energy Star label
- These purifiers often have better motors and smart features that only run when neededFor businesses running purifiers all day, energy efficiency is very important
- Some places give discounts or rebates for buying Energy Star products
Using less electricity is good for your wallet and good for the planet!
Noise matters a lot in workplaces, and air purifiers can be loud:
- Look for purifiers with "quiet mode" or "sleep mode"Check the decibel (dB) rating - lower numbers mean quieter operation
- Good office purifiers should be 30-50 dB on low settings (about as loud as a library)
- Some purifiers have special sound-dampening materials inside
- Variable speed fans let you choose between better cleaning or quieter operation
- Night mode features dim lights and reduce noise
- Some purifiers make white noise that some people find pleasant
-Test the sound before buying if possible, as some purifiers make different types of noise
Installation and Maintenance
To find out if an air purifier can clean your whole room:
- Measure your room's length and width in feet
- Multiply these numbers to get square feet (length × width)
- Check the air purifier's box or manual to see what size room it can clean
- Make sure the purifier's rating is at least as big as your room
- For better cleaning, choose a purifier rated for a room 20-30% bigger than yours
- If your ceilings are higher than 8 feet, you'll need a stronger purifier
One air purifier usually works best in a single room:
- Air purifiers clean the air in the room where they are placed
- They don't work well through walls, closed doors, or around corners
- For open floor plans with few walls, one strong unit might work
- For separate rooms or offices, you'll need multiple units
- Hallways or doorways block airflow and make purifiers less effective
- Some large commercial purifiers can clean bigger open areas
- When in doubt, use multiple smaller units placed throughout your space
Where you put your air purifier matters a lot:
- Place purifiers in rooms where people spend the most time
- Keep at least 2 feet of open space around the purifier
- Don't put furniture or curtains right next to the air intake
- Put purifiers near problem areas (like near the kitchen for cooking smells)
- For allergies, place a unit in sleeping areas
- Don't put purifiers in corners where air can't flow well
- Keep purifiers away from electronics that might cause interference
- In large rooms, central placement works best
- If you can't put it in the center, place it where the air can flow to most of the room
Air purifiers come in different types based on how they're installed:
- Portable units: These can be moved around easily. They usually have wheels or handles and just need to be plugged in. They're good if you want to move the purifier between different rooms.
- Wall-mounted units: These attach to your wall like a picture frame. They save floor space and can't be knocked over. They're good for small rooms or hallways where floor space is limited.
- Ceiling-mounted units: These attach to your ceiling. They're out of the way and can clean air in larger areas. They need to be installed by professionals and are good for businesses that want permanent air cleaning.
- In-duct systems: These connect to your building's air system. They clean all the air that moves through your heating and cooling system. They need professional installation but clean air throughout the whole building.
Most small businesses start with portable units because they're easy to set up and don't need special installation.
How easy it is to set up an air purifier depends on what type you choose:
- Portable units: Very easy! Just unbox, remove plastic from filters, plug in, and turn on. Anyone can do this in a few minutes.
- Wall-mounted units: Need some work to hang on the wall. You might need basic tools like a drill and screwdriver. It's like hanging a heavy picture frame.
- Ceiling-mounted units: These need professional installation. They require electrical work and secure mounting to the ceiling.
- In-duct systems: These need HVAC professionals to install. They connect to your building's air system and require cutting into existing ductwork.
If you want something simple, portable units are the easiest. For more permanent solutions, you might need to hire someone to help with installation.
Specific Business Needs
The size of air purifier you need depends on how big your room is:Measure your room's square footage (length × width)Look for an air purifier that says it can clean a room at least as big as yoursFor rooms with high ceilings, many people, or air quality problems, pick a purifier rated for a bigger room than you actually haveSmall offices (up to 300 square feet): Small to medium purifierMedium spaces (300-700 square feet): Medium to large purifierLarge areas (700+ square feet): Large purifier or multiple unitsRemember that one big purifier might not clean a space with many walls or separate areas - you might need several smaller units
To find out if an air purifier can clean your whole room:
- Measure your room's length and width in feet
- Multiply these numbers to get square feet (length × width)
- Check the air purifier's box or manual to see what size room it can clean
- Make sure the purifier's rating is at least as big as your room
- For better cleaning, choose a purifier rated for a room 20-30% bigger than yours
- If your ceilings are higher than 8 feet, you'll need a stronger purifier
One air purifier usually works best in a single room:
- Air purifiers clean the air in the room where they are placed
- They don't work well through walls, closed doors, or around corners
- For open floor plans with few walls, one strong unit might work
- For separate rooms or offices, you'll need multiple units
- Hallways or doorways block airflow and make purifiers less effective
- Some large commercial purifiers can clean bigger open areas
- When in doubt, use multiple smaller units placed throughout your space
Where you put your air purifier matters a lot:
- Place purifiers in rooms where people spend the most time
- Keep at least 2 feet of open space around the purifier
- Don't put furniture or curtains right next to the air intake
- Put purifiers near problem areas (like near the kitchen for cooking smells)
- For allergies, place a unit in sleeping areas
- Don't put purifiers in corners where air can't flow well
- Keep purifiers away from electronics that might cause interference
- In large rooms, central placement works best
- If you can't put it in the center, place it where the air can flow to most of the room
Different businesses need different types of air purifiers:
- Healthcare (doctors, dentists): Medical-grade HEPA systems with UV light to kill germs. These need to meet special healthcare standards.
- Restaurants and food service: Units with strong odor control using carbon filters, plus grease-resistant pre-filters.
- Hotels: Quiet units with good odor control. Some hotels use in-room units that guests can control.
- Offices: Quiet operation is important. Units with air quality displays help show employees you care about their health.
- Manufacturing: Industrial units that can handle dust, chemicals, or fumes specific to what you make.
- Retail stores: Units that help with odor control and show customers you care about clean air.
- Schools: Durable units with strong filters that can handle many people in one room.
The best system depends on your specific needs, room size, and budget.
Some businesses have special air cleaning needs:
- For strong cooking smells: Look for units with thick activated carbon filters (at least 5-10 pounds of carbon)
- For chemicals and VOCs: Special chemical-specific filters or carbon blends designed for chemicals
- For paint fumes: Units specifically rated for VOC removal
- For salon chemicals: Units with both HEPA and chemical-specific carbon filters
- For printing chemicals: Industrial units designed for solvent removal
- For dust from woodworking or construction: Units with washable pre-filters and high dust capacity
Tell the air purifier company exactly what smells or chemicals you need to remove. Some pollutants need special filters or industrial-grade equipment. Regular office air purifiers might not be strong enough for heavy manufacturing or industrial chemicals.
Environmental Considerations
Energy Star is a special label that shows a machine uses less electricity:
- Energy Star-rated purifiers use at least 40% less electricity than regular ones
- This saves money on electric bills
- They work just as well but cost less to runLook for the blue Energy Star label
- These purifiers often have better motors and smart features that only run when neededFor businesses running purifiers all day, energy efficiency is very important
- Some places give discounts or rebates for buying Energy Star products
Using less electricity is good for your wallet and good for the planet!
Noise matters a lot in workplaces, and air purifiers can be loud:
- Look for purifiers with "quiet mode" or "sleep mode"Check the decibel (dB) rating - lower numbers mean quieter operation
- Good office purifiers should be 30-50 dB on low settings (about as loud as a library)
- Some purifiers have special sound-dampening materials inside
- Variable speed fans let you choose between better cleaning or quieter operation
- Night mode features dim lights and reduce noise
- Some purifiers make white noise that some people find pleasant
-Test the sound before buying if possible, as some purifiers make different types of noise
Air purifiers may need to meet certain rules depending on your business:
- Healthcare facilities: Look for units that meet ASHRAE 170 standards and have medical-grade HEPA filters
- Food service: Units should meet NSF or UL food safety standards
- Schools: Many states have specific air quality requirements for classrooms
- Office buildings: ASHRAE Standard 62.1 sets minimum ventilation requirements
- Manufacturing: OSHA has rules about air quality in workplaces with chemicals
- General business: Some cities and states have indoor air quality regulations
Ask the manufacturer if their units meet the standards for your specific industry. Some industries require special certification or documentation proving the units meet certain standards. Your local health department can tell you what rules apply to your business.
Some air cleaning technologies can create unwanted byproducts:
- Ozone: Some electronic air cleaners and ionizers create ozone, which can hurt lungs. Look for "ozone-free" labels.
- Ionizers: These can produce small amounts of ozone. Many newer models are designed to produce very little or no ozone.
- UV light: Properly sealed UV systems are safe, but cheap ones might create ozone or let harmful UV light escape.
- Plasma/electronic cleaners: Some can produce ozone or other byproducts.
- HEPA and carbon filters: These don't create any harmful byproducts and are the safest options.
California has strict rules about ozone from air purifiers. Look for CARB (California Air Resources Board) certified units, which are tested to ensure they don't produce harmful levels of ozone.
Here's a couple of examples of great units that can be shipped to California:
MiracleAir CM-12-D | Deluxe Surface Mount Smoke Eater with 22 lbs. of Carbon
MiracleAir CM-12-S | Surface Mounted Media Air Cleaner and Smoke Eater with 5 lbs. of Carbon
EverClear CM-11F | Deluxe Flush Mount Smoke Eater with 44 lbs. of Carbon - 400-850 CFM
EverClear CM-11E | Self Contained Flush-Mounted Media Air Cleaner Smoke Eater - 400-850 CFM
Some air purifiers are better for the environment:
- Energy efficiency: Energy Star rated units use less electricity and are better for the planet.
- Recyclable filters: Some companies take back used filters for recycling.
- Sustainable materials: Look for units made with recycled plastic or sustainable materials.
- Long-lasting design: Units built to last many years create less waste.
- Reusable/washable parts: Some have parts you can clean instead of throw away.
- Low-waste packaging: Some companies use less packaging or recyclable materials.
-Manufacturing practices: Some companies use green manufacturing processes.If being eco-friendly is important to you, ask companies about their environmental practices and look for units with environmental certifications.
Cost and Budget
When choosing an air purifier, think about filter availability and cost:
- Brand-name purifiers usually have filters that are easy to find but might cost more.
- Check if filters are available from multiple stores or only from the manufacturer.
- Some purifiers use standard-sized filters that are cheaper and easier to find.
- Filter costs can add up over time - sometimes cheap purifiers have expensive filters!
- Ask about filter costs before buying. A year's worth of filters might cost anywhere from $50 to $300 depending on the model.
- Some manufacturers offer filter subscription services that automatically send new filters when needed.
- Washable pre-filters can save money over time.
Air purifiers can cost different amounts depending on what you need:
- Small portable units for small spaces: $200-$1000
- Medium-sized units for offices: $1000-$3,000
- Large commercial units for big spaces: $,3000-$6,000
- Whole-building systems: $6,000-$100,000 or more depending on the number of units needed.
Extra costs to think about:
-Installation fees: Free for portable units, $100-$300 for wall-mounted units, and $500 or more for ceiling or duct systems
- Delivery fees: Some big units have shipping costs
- Setup fees: Some companies charge to set up and test the system
- Extra filters: Some units come with extra filters, others don't
Remember that cheaper units might cost more over time if they need expensive filters or use more electricity.
Owning an air purifier costs money over time:
- Electricity: Most portable units use about as much power as a light bulb ($30-$200 per year depending on size and how much you use it)
- Filter replacements: $100-$300 per year for all filters
- UV lamp replacements: $30-$100 per year if your unit has UV
- Maintenance: Some companies offer service plans for $100-$300 per year
- Cleaning supplies: Small costs for cleaning the outside of the unit
Energy Star rated units use less electricity and save money. Smart units that only run when needed also save on costs. The bigger the unit and the more it runs, the more it will cost to operate.
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