How Long Do Air Purifier Filters Last?

Air purifiers are an important addition to the homes of people who suffer from allergies, are sensitive to mold and dust, or have asthma. Air purifiers can be also beneficial for children and elderly people because they can improve the quality of the air by neutralizing smoke, filter unwanted air particles, capture odors, and germs.

To feel the full benefits of purified air, we recommend installing air purifying devices that can cover your whole house. That way, you and your loved ones will be fully protected.

However, if you want to maintain the effectiveness of your air purifiers, you have to keep in mind that these devices need regular upkeep. Changing the filter whenever its time is up is something you have to do on a regular basis. Furthermore, knowing the degree of maintenance necessary for different air purifiers might help you in making an informed purchase.

So, let’s go over the different types of filters available on the market and see how long each type of air purifier filter lasts.

Types of Air Purifier Filters and How Long They Last

• High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are most common in air purifying devices. They work by forcing the air through the filter material where the harmful particles of pollen, dust, mold, smoke, and pet dander are trapped. The endurance of this filter depends on the amount of filtered air they deliver in a given period of time. Ideally, HEPA filters need replacement every 3 to 6 months, depending on the level of contaminants in your air.
• Carbon filters can remove volatile organic compounds, gas molecules, odors, and other pollutants from the air. Nonetheless, when the carbon filter is saturated, it loses its effectiveness, and sometimes you might notice a smell. If you own a carbon filter-based air purifier, follow the maintenance guidelines of the manufacturer. However, on average, carbon filters need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months.
• Pre-filters are mainly a feature in HEPA and carbon purifying filters. Pre-filters can expand the lifetime of the HEPA and carbon filters because they can catch the big particles in your air that would block up your HEPA and Carbon filters if not removed by the prefilters. Pre-filters need to be cleaned every 30 days and replaced if they become visibly damaged.
• Permanent filters. These types of filters are only suitable for less polluted areas. Unlike replaceable filters that can last for a specific period of time, permanent filters can be removed from your device and simply rinsed under your faucet or vacuumed, depending on the model and its material. Depending on the usage, these filters on average need to be cleaned every 3 months, but if they get damaged, you’ll need to eventually replace them. Note that these won’t filter to the same level as a HEPA filter but can be sufficient for many environments.