WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- With wildfire smoke affecting indoor air quality
for millions across the U.S. and Canada, the Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers offers these recommendations to ensure portable room
air cleaners are operating at a high level during smoke events:
Position the air cleaner properly: Move the air cleaner
toward the center of the room and operate it on the highest setting
in an area free of obstructions. The more air that goes through the
air cleaner, the more pollutants it will remove.
Change the filter regularly: Your air cleaner's use and
care manual will recommend how often to change your air cleaner's
filter. Extended operation in an area affected by heavy smoke may
require more frequent filter changes. If the filter is changing
color or if the level of air coming out of the air cleaner drops,
it could mean the filter should be changed. Keep extra filters on
hand, especially during wildfire season. Purchase replacements from
reputable sources to ensure they are genuine and not
counterfeits.
Clean the outside: Some manufacturers recommend using a
vacuum to remove dust from the outside of the air cleaner. Vacuum
or gently clean the dust from the outside of the air cleaner when
you notice a buildup. An air cleaner that is dirty on the outside
is likely dirty on the inside, so make this part of the process
when you are replacing or cleaning the filter.
Vacuum regularly: Air cleaners are only part of the
equation for cleaner indoor air. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to
remove particles so they are not kicked back into the air you
breathe.
Change your furnace filter: If you change your furnace
filter regularly, you might not have to change the filter in your
air cleaner as often. However, a furnace filter is not a substitute
for an air cleaner because it is designed to trap large particles.
In addition, it is common for particles to miss the furnace filter
and end up inside the home.
A room air cleaner is one of the best tools available to
mitigate the effects of wildfire smoke on indoor air. Both the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the Government of
Canada recommend using an air
cleaner as part of a fire preparation plan.
How Consumers Can Compare Air Cleaner Models
Consumers who are shopping for an air cleaner will come across
models that use different types of technologies to clear the air.
More important than the method the air cleaner uses is whether the
air cleaner is appropriate for the size of the room in which it
will be used. The AHAM Verifide® mark and the air
cleaner's Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) will offer a recommended
room size. The mark means the air cleaner has been independently
tested for its ability to reduce smoke (the smallest particles
included in CADR), pollen and dust and that the air cleaner meets
CARB ozone limits. The suggested room size for the air cleaner will
be noted prominently on the label. People in areas heavily affected
by wildfire smoke should select an air cleaner with a smoke CADR
that matches the room size. For example, an air cleaner with a
smoke CADR of 200 would be appropriate for a 200 square-foot room
in an area affected by smoke. Shoppers may use AHAM's directory to
compare AHAM Verifide® room air cleaners by room size,
CADR and other characteristics.
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SOURCE Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)