How can I tell when the HEPA filter in my air purifier needs to be changed?
I have a small air purifier for my bedroom that I have been using since October. I thought the point of the appliance was to keep dust and allergens from staying in the air. I have noticed that even the purifier is gathering dust. Does this means the ionic filter should be changed?
When I open it, the backside of the filter does not appear dirty, and the front side has only a thin layer of gray dirt. What should it look like before it gets changed.
Note- The filter is the proper size given the dimensions of the room, and windows and doors are only left open occasionally.
Most of your HEPA units have a certain number of hours of use that you must keep track of for a change schedule. On higher end products, like the Sun Pure SP-20C at http://www.allergy-relief-air-purifier.com/portable-air-purifiers.html, you have an indicator that operates on pressure that tells you when to change your filter set.
High efficiency filters, like HEPA, are capturing microscopic particles, so they may be loaded to their capacity and still appear clean. The larger particles are what make a filter look dirty. I would recommend that you change the filter and wipe off the dust that is gathering on the machine. You mentioned an "ionic filter", is this unit an ionizer? If so, that is why the dust is gathering on the machine instead of being captured in the filter. When particles pass through an ionizer, they take on a charge. If they don’t get caught in the filter (as no filter is 100% efficient) they get blown out into the room and stick to whatever has the opposite charge (plastic covers, TV’s, computer monitors, etc.). If you want more information about the different types of air cleaners, just go to http://www.allergy-relief-air-purifier.com/green-air-filters.html. I hope this helps.