The benefits of air purifiers

The benefits of using air purifiers in educational settings

Improving indoor air quality is becoming an increasingly important priority for schools, helping to create healthier and more comfortable learning environments for both students and staff. 

The importance of good indoor air quality in schools is recognised by the Department for Education (DfE), which states that effective ventilation is essential for creating healthy and productive learning environments. According to the DfE, good ventilation can help improve pupils' alertness and concentration, remove polluted air, reduce overheating, and help minimise the spread of respiratory infections by removing airborne particles from indoor spaces. The guidance also recommends that schools regularly monitor air quality and consider the use of HEPA-filter air cleaning units in areas where adequate ventilation cannot be maintained.

Designed specifically for shared indoor spaces, the Fellowes AeraMax Range helps schools tackle air quality challenges, offering a practical solution for creating healthier and more comfortable learning environments. Discover five key benefits that make it an ideal choice for educational settings.

1. Improves classroom air quality

The Fellowes AM3 PC HEPA Air Purifier delivers 3–5 air changes per hour (ACH) in rooms of 300–550 sq ft, making it well‑suited for classrooms, offices, and shared learning spaces. By continuously circulating and cleaning the air, it helps reduce the build-up of airborne contaminants throughout the school day.

Using a 4‑stage H13 True HEPA filtration system, the AM3 PC captures and removes 99.95–99.97% of airborne particles, including dust, allergens, and pollutants. This helps create a cleaner, healthier indoor environment that supports the wellbeing of both students and staff, while promoting greater comfort and focus during teaching and learning activities.

2. Reduces airborne viruses and germs

The True HEPA and antimicrobial filter treatments help remove viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms from the air, helping to improve overall air quality in busy educational settings. Independent testing has shown that Fellowes air purifiers can achieve up to a 99.99% reduction of certain airborne coronaviruses within one hour. This supports health, attendance and staff wellbeing, as cleaner air can significantly help reduce:

• Allergy symptoms

• Asthma triggers
• Respiratory irritation

• Spread of illness
  
  

By helping to minimise the circulation of germs and airborne contaminants, the AM3 PC can support schools in reducing the risk of illness transmission, contributing to healthier, cleaner classrooms and greater confidence among staff, students, and visitors. By helping to create a cleaner indoor environment, the AM3 PC can support staff wellbeing and help minimise disruption caused by poor air quality.

3. Automatic and advanced operation

Powered by EnviroSmart™ Technology, the unit automatically responds to:

• Occupancy levels

• Changes in air quality

• Movement and sound in the environment
  
  

This hands-free operation ensures the air is cleaned efficiently with no manual adjustments - making it ideal and easy to use for busy educational settings.

The PC model also includes PureView™ Technology, a display that shows:

• Live particle levels

• Percentage of particles captured

• Overall room air quality status
  
  

By providing visible, real-time performance data, the AM3 PC helps build confidence among students, parents, and staff, demonstrating the school's continuous efforts and commitment to maintaining a healthier and safer learning space for everyone. 

4. Odour & VOC reduction

The integrated activated carbon filter helps reduce a range of airborne odours and gases, creating a fresher and more comfortable indoor environment. It is effective at reducing:

• Classroom odours

• Cleaning chemical smells

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  
  

By helping to filter out unwanted smells and airborne chemical pollutants, the AM3 PC can improve comfort for both students and staff throughout the school day. This is particularly beneficial and ideal in areas such as science labs, art rooms, canteens, changing facilities, and other high-traffic spaces, where odours and VOC levels can be more noticeable. The result is a cleaner, more pleasant learning environment that supports overall wellbeing and concentration.

5. Energy efficient and cost-effective for schools

Designed with long-term value in mind, the AeraMax AM3 PC combines energy-efficient performance with robust commercial-grade durability. Smart EnviroSmart™ sensors reduce energy consumption when spaces are unoccupied while also helping to extend filter life. The antimicrobial HEPA treatment further supports filter longevity, lowering ongoing maintenance costs. 

Built for demanding educational and public sector environments, the unit also features a commercial-grade construction, flexible wall-mounting options, and a reassuring 5-year warranty for added peace of mind. Together, these features help schools minimise total cost of ownership while benefiting from reliable, long-term air purification performance and value while supporting healthier learning environments.

In summary, the Fellowes AeraMax Pro AM3 PC offers multiple advantages in educational workplaces, including high‑grade air purification, virus reduction, smart automation, transparent performance data, quiet operation, cost efficiency, and robust durability. As schools continue to focus on creating healthy, productive learning environments, maintaining good indoor air quality remains an important consideration. While ventilation should always be the first priority, air purification can provide valuable additional support in spaces where achieving optimal ventilation is more challenging.

Whether you're looking for a wall-mounted solution or a freestanding unit, the AeraMax Range at YPO offers powerful air purification designed for classrooms, offices and other shared spaces. The range includes the AM3S PC HEPA Air Purifier, suitable for rooms between 30-55m², alongside the larger AM4 Pureview Air Purifier for larger environments.

Explore the range today and discover how cleaner air can help support healthier, more productive learning environments.

Author: Adrian Reid, Senior National Account Manager at Fellowes.