Clean Air Delivery Rate

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) indicates the volume of filtered air delivered by an air cleaner. CADR also determines how well an air cleaner reduces pollutants such as tobacco smoke, pollen and dust. The higher the tobacco smoke, pollen and dust numbers, the faster the unit filters the air.

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  The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) provides standardized testing and certification of CADR rating, performed by independent third-party laboratories, and recognized industry-wide by retailers, manufacturers, standards organizations, and government bodies such as the EPA and the FTC.

The AHAM seal (usually found on the back of an air cleaner's box) lists three Clean Air Delivery Rate (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. Consumers can use these ratings to compare air cleaners from the various manufacturers that also certify through AHAM.

History

In the early 1980s, AHAM developed a method for measuring the clean air delivery rate for portable household electric room air cleaners. The resulting standard became an American National Standard in 1988. Known as ANSI/AHAM AC-1, it measures the air cleaner's ability to reduce tobacco smoke, dust and pollen particles in a room. It also includes a method for calculating the suggested room size. The Federal Trade Commission and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both reviewed and agreed that the AC-1 provides a reasonable basis for making claims on performance.

See also

• Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
• Air purifier
• Air cleaner
• Air filter