Why You Should Use Genuine Replacement Air Purifier Filters

You bought an air purifier so that you can have the best indoor air quality. Your air purifier is a marvel of modern engineering, each component designed to clean the air as efficiently as possible. From the fan motor to the interior ducting everything is meant to work together. That means the air filter too. Just because an air filter says it is compatible with your air purifier doesn’t mean it will work correctly. When it comes time to maintain your air purifier make sure to use only genuine replacement filters. You may be surprised to learn why it matters.

Filter Quality

By using a genuine replacement air filter you are guaranteed it will be the same quality as your original air purifier filter. Manufacturers have strict quality control measures to make sure all air purifier components meet their stringent expectations, including the filter itself. A third-party air filter may look similar, but it might not hold up to the same standard leading to sub-par indoor air quality. 

Materials also make a difference. For air purifiers that use a hybrid High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) and activated carbon filter, a third-party filter may not include the important activated charcoal layer. Without activated charcoal the air purifier loses its ability to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors. Third-party filters may simply not measure up to the same filtration standards as the originals.

Filter Fit

When it comes to air purification, how the filter fits inside the unit is extremely important. A filter that does not fit precisely in the filter chamber can allow air to bypass the filter completely. To prevent air filter bypass there must not be any gaps between the filter and the housing. The filter must also fit snugly in place so it does not move during operation. Some OEM filters use an integrated seal, which may not be present on third-party filters. Air will take the path of least resistance, which means any air filter gaps will lead to uncleaned air.

Air Cleaning Performance

Your air purifier is precisely designed to clean the air as a complete system. The air filter is designed to work with the fan motor, fan blades, internal ducting, air filter chamber, and exhaust port. All of these components are tuned for a specific air filter flow rate. Using a third-party replacement filter can alter the clear air delivery rate (CADR), potentially increasing stress on the fan motor due to increased resistance leading to less efficient air cleaning. 

The air cleaning performance of the filter also needs to be taken into consideration. If the air purifier came with a HEPA filter, it will only deliver the advertised CADR with that same filter. HEPA filters must capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in size. Third-party filters may not measure up to these stringent requirements. Using a lesser rated filter means dirtier air.

Maintaining Your Warranty

In some cases using the genuine replacement filter is a requirement for maintaining an air purifier warranty. This makes sense because using the wrong air filter can cause the fan motor to work harder than normal, accelerating motor wear. The wrong filter may also cause damage if it does not fit as intended. Is it really worth gambling the cost of a new air purifier to save a few bucks on an air filter?

Conclusion

It should be obvious by now that using a genuine replacement air filter is not only best for your air purifier, but also for your home’s indoor air quality. Using the correct air filter as specified in your air purifier owner’s manual ensures you are getting the air cleaning performance you expect. Plan ahead and have a replacement air filter on hand before you need it so you can avoid a clean air interruption.