What is CADR and What Does it Mean?

When you’re considering the purchase of an air purifier, you’ll want to make sure you understand the metrics that define their performance. One such metric is the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). This blog post will explain what CADR is, how it is defined, and what it means for consumers looking to improve their indoor air quality with HEPA air purifiers.

What is CADR?

In the United States, the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) standard is defined by the independent Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). AHAM’s AC-1-2020 CADR standard defines the portable air purifier industry standard and is used to determine Energy Star certifications.

The CADR standard is used to measure the effectiveness of air purifiers in filtering out particles and gasses from the air. The CADR provides a numerical value that indicates the volume of clean air an air purifier produces per minute. Essentially, CADR tells you how quickly and efficiently an air purifier can remove pollutants from the air in a given space.

How is CADR Defined?

The CADR is defined through standardized testing procedures that compare the performance of different air purifiers. This standardization allows consumers to make apples-to-apples comparisons between different models and brands.

The AHAM standard measures an air purifier’s filtration effectiveness for smoke, dust and pollen. These particle sizes range from 0.10 to 11 microns in diameter. The AHAM test is performed in a 1008ft3 (28.3m3) room.

What Does CADR Mean?

The CADR value indicates the volume of air that is cleaned of specific particles (smoke, dust, or pollen) per minute. Higher CADR values signify that an air purifier is more effective at cleaning the air quickly. For instance, if an air purifier has a high CADR for smoke, it means it can remove smoke particles from the air faster than a unit with a lower CADR.

Practical Implications of CADR

While the CADR test is conducted in a controlled lab environment, it provides a valuable benchmark for comparing different air purifiers. It is important to note that CADR is not a replacement for real-world tests but serves as a standardized method to evaluate and compare the performance of various units.

For consumers, understanding CADR helps in selecting the right air purifier for their needs. When shopping for a home HEPA air purifier, looking at the CADR can guide you to models that are most effective for the size of your room and the specific pollutants you are concerned about, whether it's smoke, dust, or pollen.

Conclusion

In summary, the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) provides a crucial metric for evaluating the performance of air purifiers by defining a standardized way to measure and compare the effectiveness of different models in removing pollutants from the air. By understanding CADR and considering it when purchasing an air purifier, consumers can make more informed decisions to improve their indoor air quality.

For more detailed standards on measuring CADR, you can read further on AHAM’s site.