One of the most important factors to consider when buying a Shark air purifier is how long their filters will last. The longevity of the filter will determine how often you replace it to keep your home's air quality clean. We researched this question for you, and here are our findings below!
Under normal use, you can expect your Shark air purifier's filter to last for six months to one year. Most experts would agree that this is the average service life of Shark's air purifier filter.
Keep on reading because we provide below what factors can negatively affect your Shark air purifier's filter. We will address as well some key questions relating to this matter. So without further ado, let's jump into the discussion.
How Effective Are The Shark Air Purifier Filters?
Shark air purifier uses true HEPA filters or High Efficiency Particulate Air filters. Ideally, this kind of air filter can eliminate 99.97% or more of any tiny particles smaller than 0.3 microns (m).
The 0.3 microns standard size is what experts defined as the most penetrating particle size or MPPS of air pollutants. As a result, HEPA filters have considerably greater effectiveness in capturing larger or smaller air particles.
A Shark air purifier with a decent filter can get rid of a wide range of air pollutants. It effectively purifies the air even against the tiniest air particles, including:
- Dust.
- Smoke.
- Pet hair.
- Bacteria.
- Mold spores.
- Other airborne contaminants.
How Long Does The Shark Air Purifier Filter Last?
A HEPA filter in your Shark air purifier could last from six months up to 12 months. You can also check your user manual because sometimes its life expectancy comes in hours in the frequency of use.
We also found that your Shark's filter average service lifespan is around 4,000 hours. However, its ability to trap air pollutants will drastically reduce after those hours elapse.
The general quality of your home's air and other aspects will affect how long a HEPA filter will last.
What Factors Can Badly Impact Your Air Purifiers Filter's Lifespan?
Knowing the average life expectancy of your Shark's filter is always a great idea. But did you know that there are crucial factors that can certainly affect your air purifier filter's lifespan?
These factors are very critical in determining your filter's service lifespan, these are:
Frequency Of Use
How frequently the filter is used will also depend on the size of your house and the power of your Shark air purifier.
A Shark 4 air purifier has 133 to 160 CFM (cubic feet per minute), perfect for larger room sizes, around 1,000 to 1,200 square feet. If you're utilizing an air purifier of around that power size and room size, you will be fine to tone down its usage to one hour.
Lowering the air purifier's operational cycle means its filter will last longer. It is also wise and practical to lower its operational cycle for as long as it is necessary.
Air Pollution Rate In Your House
Since the primary purpose of air purifiers is to catch the finest air pollutants within your room, an extremely highly polluted area will have a direct effect on your filter's lifespan.
Aside from outdoor pollution, using a stove or burning wood in your fireplace are major contributors to indoor air pollution. Additionally, heating oil or cooking food significantly increases indoor air pollution.
This is reasonable enough to conclude that it speeds up the dirt overload in your air purifier filter. Thus, it reduces the lifespan of your air purifier filters more than its usual average.
Ignoring Proper Maintenance
Like other appliances in your home the filter in your Shark air purifier also needs regular maintenance. Always change the filter between three to six months. Following this recommended regular maintenance will ensure better performance and guarantees a longer lifespan.
Do Shark Air Purifier Filters Prevent Asthma Attacks?
Asthma occurs in the United States, with approximately 25 million people suffering from this condition. Since Shark air purifiers utilize HEPA filters, they can be helpful for people with asthma. It effectively controls the air quality within your home free from asthma irritants.
Do Shark Air Purifier Filters Remove VOC?
Volatile organic compounds or (VOCs) are chemicals that naturally have high vapor pressure and low water solubility. These chemicals or gases are within your house and alarmingly, you often breathe, which eventually triggers asthma.
You might not able to detect this, but products like the following are where VOCs usually present:
- Xylene.
- Toluene.
- Benzene.
- 1,3-butadiene.
- Formaldehyde.
- Ethylene glycol.
- Methylene chloride.
- Tetrachloroethylene.
Surprisingly, Shark's air purifier 6 can securely absorb VOCs harmful gases and other odors within your house spaces.
Are Shark Air Purifier Filters Washable?
Unfortunately, Shark's system filters aren't washable. You can just replace it when it gets dirty. You should always refer to your user manuals because some Shark air purifiers require you to change their filter regularly.
How To Clean Shark's Air Filters?
As you know, your Shark air purifier has a panel that flashes a light whenever it reaches its average service life. Its system will alert you whether its filter needs cleaning or it's finally time to replace it.
Although Shark air purifier filters aren't the washable, you can still keep them clean between replacements by vacuuming or dusting them; you should not get filters wet.
Here are the steps to clean properly your Shark's air purifier filter:
- Start the cleaning process by securely unplugging the air purifier's power cord.
- You can remove the filter's cover by pressing on the tabs in the upper portion of the covers.
- Carefully pull the filter's cover out in your direction.
- Repeating the steps in number two is the method to remove the filter itself.
- You can use a mild vacuum cleaner and a blower to remove debris or dirt build-up in the filter.
- Remember your Shark air purifier filters aren't washable, so do not wash it with water.
How To Replace Shark's Air Purifier Filter?
Your Shark air purifier is top-notch equipment. As we've mentioned early on, it can accurately notify you of when it's time to replace its filter. You must comply and use only the Shark compatible filters to ensure optimal cleaning performance.
Buy this Shark's HEPA filter on Amazon.
The following are the replacement steps for both Shark air purifier 4 and 6 models:
- First, shut off or unplug the Shark air purifier directly from the outlet.
- There are two tabs at the back of your air purifiers 4 and 6. Tap them to remove the back grill.
- Detach the old dirty filter by pulling it towards you. Secure the dirty old filter and dispose of it right away. As it is full of contaminants that might accidentally throw back into your room's surface.
- Ensure to clean first the filter's housing by running a vacuum on it before reinserting your new filter.
- Gently attach back the back grill cover and ensure that it is properly closed.
- Now you can finally plug your air purifier back into its outlet and switch it on.
Pro tips: After following our easy steps above. You must reset your Shark's system by pressing its filter lifespan key for at least three seconds. Doing so will allow your air purifier's system to refresh for its next replacement cycle.
Here is a quick demonstration of Shark's filter replacement process on YouTube:
To Wrap Things Up
The lifespan of your Shark air purifier's filter will vary depending on how you care for it. Throughout this article, we've shared essential information to prolong the shark's air purifier filter.
You also know how to replace it and how to clean it without washing it with water. We can now set off knowing that you can now maintain properly your air purifiers filter to extend its lifespan.
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