Air Cleaners
For PartnersWhy ENERGY STAR?
Room air cleaners are portable, electric appliances that remove fine particles, such as dust and pollen, from indoor air. A standard room air cleaner, operating continuously, uses approximately 450 kWh per year in electricity. This is more than the energy used by some new refrigerators!
ENERGY STAR certified room air cleaners are about 25% more energy-efficient than standard models, saving consumers about 120 kWh/year and $18 annually on utility bills. These savings could add up to $130 over its lifetime!
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What should I look for when buying a room air cleaner?
Indoor air contains pollutants that can affect human health. Some of these pollutants come from outdoors, and others come from indoor sources and activities, such as cooking, cleaning, secondhand smoke, building materials, consumer products, and home furnishings. Learn more about the latest indoor air quality issues that may be impacting you, as well as steps you can take by visiting EPA's Indoor Air Quality website.
Portable air cleaners are designed to filter the air in a single room or area. They have demonstrated the potential for improving air quality and providing health benefits. Find the right room air cleaner product for your home with the tips below and read more about managing your indoor air quality in EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home (PDF, 3 MB).
Check your room size
Be sure to consider the square footage of the room where you will place the room air cleaner. Larger models use more energy, so choose a model that is sized appropriately to fit your room. The chart below is for estimation purposes. The CADRs are calculated based on an 8-foot ceiling. If you have higher ceilings, you may want to select a portable air cleaner with a higher CADR.
| Portable Air Cleaner Sizing for Particle Removal | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room area (square feet) | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 |
| Minimum CADR (cfm) | 65 | 130 | 195 | 260 | 325 | 390 |
Understand Clean Air Delivery Rates
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) measures how quickly a unit delivers filtered air and can be used to measure the performance of a room air cleaner. The higher the CADR, the more quickly the room air cleaner filters the air and the larger area it can serve.
Related Information
- EPA indoor air pollution information
Be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR when shopping for air cleaners
Current Specification Effective Date: October 17, 2020
The ENERGY STAR specification for room air cleaners measures energy efficiency by using a Clean Air Delivery Rate-to-Watt ratio. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a measure of the amount of contaminant-free air delivered by the room air purifier. Room air cleaners have demonstrated the potential for improving air quality and providing health benefits; however, EPA does not endorse manufacturer claims regarding the degree to which a specific product will produce healthier indoor.
Consider placement
While many room air cleaners are designed to sit on the floor, tabletop models and wall-mounting designs are also available. Regardless of configuration, it is important to read the accompanying product manual for instructions on where to place your room air cleaner to achieve optimum performance. Make sure the airflow is not obstructed. Keep air cleaners away from curtains and anything that might block airflow.
Check your room size
Be sure to consider the square footage of the room where you will place the room air cleaner. Larger models use more energy, so choose a model that is sized appropriately to fit your room. The ENERGY STAR Product Finder includes the recommended room size for each model. The chart below is for estimation purposes. The CADRs are calculated based on an 8-foot ceiling. If you have higher ceilings, you may want to select a portable air cleaner with a higher CADR.
| Portable Air Cleaner Sizing for Particle Removal | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room area (square feet) | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 |
| Minimum CADR (cfm) | 65 | 130 | 195 | 260 | 325 | 390 |
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