Indoor air quality is a key component of a healthy home. It can influence how we sleep, work, and feel on a daily basis.
Air purifiers promise relief from allergens, dust, and airborne irritants. Yet it can be difficult to compare one model to another.
That’s where the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) becomes essential. It helps us cut through marketing claims and focus on clear, measurable performance.
What Is CADR?
CADR stands for “Clean Air Delivery Rate.” It measures how effectively an air purifier removes particles from indoor air within a set period.
Manufacturers often provide three CADR numbers: one each for smoke, dust, and pollen. These represent different particle sizes, from microscopic smoke particles to larger bits of dust or pollen grains.
CADR combines filtration efficiency and airflow. This prevents confusion from seeing only efficiency or only the volume of air filtered.
How Is CADR Measured?
CADR is measured in a 1,008-cubic-foot test chamber. This controlled environment mimics a typical living space.
During testing, the air purifier runs while particles of smoke, dust, or pollen float around the room. Scientists compare how quickly the particles are removed against a baseline condition where the purifier is off.
The test only applies to particles. Gases, odors, or volatile organic compounds are beyond this rating’s scope.
Who Measures CADR?
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) created the ANSI/AHAM AC-1 standard. This guideline details how CADR should be tested and reported.
Many retailers, manufacturers, and agencies recognize AHAM’s certification. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also value CADR ratings.
AHAM membership is voluntary, so not all air purifiers have AHAM certification. However, most reputable brands join in to provide transparency.
Why Clean Air Is So Important
Clean air is vital for our health, economy, and planet. Air pollution claims 8.1 million lives each year, making it the largest external threat to human health worldwide.
Almost 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guidelines. This leads to diseases such as asthma, strokes, heart attacks, cancer, and dementia.
Air pollution also hurts economies by decreasing productivity and increasing medical costs. Globally, it imposes an annual burden of over $8 trillion in health expenses and lost economic potential.
Smoking and vaping can also introduce unpleasant smells into indoor environments, compounding the risks of secondhand exposure and further impacting respiratory health.
Reducing pollutants can bring rapid benefits. Examples include fewer hospital admissions for asthma and heart attacks, as well as fewer premature births.
Clean air helps protect ecosystems and slows climate change. Many air pollutants like black carbon also accelerate global warming, harming biodiversity and fueling the climate crisis.
High-efficiency air purifiers, such as those offered by Rabbit Air, help address these challenges. Their advanced filters target harmful particles, offering an immediate way to improve indoor air quality and reduce the health risks associated with air pollution.
How to Read the AHAM Seal
When you see the AHAM seal, you’ll find three CADR numbers: one for smoke, one for dust, and one for pollen. Each number indicates how many cubic feet of air per minute the purifier can effectively clean of that particle type.
AHAM recommends using the “2/3 rule.” Match the smoke CADR to at least two-thirds of the room’s floor area for rooms with standard 8-foot ceilings.
For example, if you have a 150-square-foot room, look for a smoke CADR of at least 100. This ensures the purifier can handle the volume of air in that space.
Factors That Affect CADR
CADR is measured with fresh filters under ideal conditions. Real-world performance can vary if filters become clogged or if you use off-brand replacements.
Ionizers and electrostatic technologies might alter how particles behave by giving them an electric charge. Some particles may stick to walls instead of being trapped by the filter, which can affect the measured CADR.
Fan speed also plays a key role. Higher speeds move air faster through the filter, but might be noisier, while slower speeds can be quieter but reduce the purifier’s overall CADR.
Even room layout matters. If an air purifier is blocked by furniture, it might not circulate air effectively.
Conclusion
CADR is the benchmark for comparing air purifiers on an equal playing field. It reflects both how well the purifier filters particles and how much air it processes.
A higher CADR often indicates a stronger ability to keep your space free from pollutants. Keep it in mind when selecting an air purifier, and remember to maintain your device with new filters as recommended.
Clean air at home is a worthwhile investment. With the right purifier and a healthy respect for CADR, you can breathe easier and live more comfortably.
