What is CADR
Clean Air Delivery rate
The AHAM seal (usually found on the
back of an air cleaner's box) will list three CADR numbers - one for
tobacco smoke, one for pollen and one for dust. The CADR indicates
volume of filtered air delivered by an air cleaner. The higher the
tobacco smoke, pollen and dust numbers, the faster the unit filters the air. When a manufacture obtains product approval for meeting government standards and UL approval, what they state as being 99.97% efficient, has their OEM filter installed. If you would use a generic filter instead, you might get 75% efficiently or using another brand might burn the motor out, not allowing enough air to pass thru the filter. It is always important to look for genuine OEM replacement filters to maintain the efficiency of your air cleaner.
Follow our 2/3 Rule:
You'll always want a unit with a tobacco smoke CADR at least 2/3 your
room's area. For example, a 10' x 12' room -120 square feet - would
require an air cleaner with a tobacco smoke CADR of at least 80. If your room size is smaller, the unit will simply clean the air more often or faster. If you have ceilings higher than 8', you'll want an air cleaner rated for a larger room.