When Delhi-NCR’s AQI climbs above 600, a single air purifier barely scratches the surface. Here’s a realistic breakdown of how many you actually need and why.
Delhi Air Pollution: This isn’t a sales pitch for air purifiers. I’m not here to convince you that buying more machines will magically fix Delhi’s air. The truth is, the best health advice anyone can give right now is to leave the city altogether and move somewhere that doesn’t need an AQI app to decide when to breathe. But for most of us, packing up our lives and jobs isn’t an option. That leaves us with the next best thing: air purifiers. They’re far from perfect, but compared to the cost and complexity of HVAC systems with full-scale filtration, they’re the most practical defence you can afford.
Delhi Air Pollution: For a 1500 sq ft, 3BHK apartment in Delhi NCR, three to four high-CADR air purifiers are needed for effective protection when AQI exceeds 600. (Arvind Yadav/HT)
It’s worth noting that even the best standard purifiers can only capture particulate matter like PM2.5 and PM10, they do little against gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen oxides or volatile organic compounds. Still, they can significantly reduce the immediate health risks from prolonged exposure.
When Delhi NCR’s AQI pushes past 600, one air purifier simply can’t handle the load. To make any real difference indoors, you need multiple units strategically placed and matched to each room’s size. Here’s a grounded, numbers-backed breakdown of how many you actually need for a typical 3BHK apartment of around 1500 sq ft, and why.
The solution is not about buying the biggest purifier available. It’s about correct distribution, coverage, and airflow. The rule of thumb is straightforward: one purifier per enclosed space where people spend significant time. This means you’ll need one unit in the master bedroom, another in the secondary bedroom, and at least one large or two medium units in the living and dining area. That totals three to four purifiers for meaningful air cleaning. Relying on a single unit in such conditions will leave most of your home unprotected, as air circulation rarely reaches every corner effectively.
