What is AHAM's Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)?
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.
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.
For more in-depth information, the following technical document is available for download: Understanding the Scope of the Air Cleaner Standard and the Related AHAM Industry Certification Program.
