
Today, we spend more time inside than ever. We generally look into the outside air pollution but often ignore indoor air quality. Did you realize indoor air may be as contaminated as outdoor air? Yes, you heard it correct, and for your adobe, air filters for the home are the right choice.
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Recently, air filters for homes have become popular as they enhance indoor air quality and turns life healthier. However, are they beneficial? Do they live up to the hype, or are they simply another household item you can skip?
By the end, you will know whether they are really good for your family. Let us find out whether they are a good idea or not.
How Do the Air Filters for Home Work?
Fine-opening air filters for home suck dirty air through their medium. The filter media traps particles bigger than those openings and separates them from the air. Filtered air has less particles. Particles collecting on the upstream side of this filter improve filtration by screening additional particles. Replace or clean the filter periodically to minimize clogging, blinding, and airflow restriction. Let us check some common types of air filters.
- HEPA air purifier can collect 99.97 percent of micron particles.
- Activated carbon filters capture air smells, gasses, and VOCs using extremely porous carbon.
- UV filters destroy airborne bacteria, viruses, and other germs.
What makes them work?
- The HVAC or fan draws air into the filter.
- Filters catch airborne contaminants and particles.
- Clean, filtered air returns to the room.
The size of the room, the kind of filter, and air pollution affect the efficacy of an air filter for home. Use the proper filter and change it often to get the best air purifier performance.
Let us discuss their home and health advantages.
Benefits of Using Air Filters at Home
An air purifier may boost mental and physical health with several health advantages.
- Allergic & Respiratory Health
They maintain respiratory health and protect against allergens. Polluted air irritates the lungs and throat by worsening existing problems. It increases the risk of chronic diseases. Sanitizing the air and removing these pollutants may reduce any unwanted symptoms and dangers.
- Reduce Airborne Illness
They reduce the spread of contaminants that make people ill. The EPA found that HEPA air purifier catch numerous viral particles, including coronavirus and COVID-19 particles.
- Clean Air Improves Sleep
Let us examine how cleaner air may help your health. Several studies have connected poor air quality to shorter, less restful sleep. According to other research, air pollution may cause sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, and central nervous system abnormalities.
- Enhance Cognitive Function
Studies reveal that interior air pollution reduces cognitive capacities, as does outside air pollution. Poor air quality reduces alertness, cognition, and production. The impact is considerably larger if you sleep poorly due to foul air.
- Lower Diabetes Risk
It may surprise some that air pollution is a problem for causing diabetes. Danish research discovered a substantial link between PM2.5 levels and diabetes risk. A portable air purifier to eliminate small particles from your home or workplace reduces exposure and diabetes risk.
Drawbacks and Limitations of Air Filters
Investing in air cleaning technologies like filters or purifiers may enhance air quality and improve general health. So, protecting our health is always good, but before choosing a device, it is wise to grasp its realities and limits.
Even the Best HEPA Filters Cannot Kill Pollutants.
The finest HEPA air purifier can only catch particles larger than 0.3 microns. Not all daily pollutants are above 0.3 microns. Filters may collect settling dust, bigger dust particles, molds and spores, allergies, germs, ash, smog, soot, smoke, and more. Home air filters cannot catch minor allergens, viruses, huge amounts of smoke, fog, haze, air pollution, carcinogenic gasses, and Volatile Organic Compound fumes, which harm human health
Cleaning Air Only
It purifies air alone. Concealing up to 90% of toxins on surfaces, not only in the air, is a significant concern. Remember, air filters for home and cleaners cannot eliminate pollutants or allergens from surfaces, including sheets, pillows, cushions, curtains, toys, carpets, floors, sofas, and furniture tops. This is crucial for those with sinus allergies, as one-third of the population has this condition.
Small Coverage and Noisy
Large air filtering or purifying products may be soothing in a corner of your room, but their coverage area is restricted. Pollution removal surrounding an air filter may clean the air around it, but it does not cover a whole area. Despite how huge and bulky these items are (and how much noise they generate by sucking in and blowing out air), you may only be cleaning a tiny section of your living space.
High maintenance and operating costs
Additionally, they use a lot of electricity and cost a lot. Filter cleaning, maintenance, and replacement are time and cost-intensive. They also take up a lot of room and are hard to conceal in furniture or home design.
Are air purifiers effective?
Basically, it depends on your goals. HEPA air purifier catch pet dander and other allergens for severe allergy sufferers. It may not be worth it if you only want to refresh the air. In other words, air purifiers do not suit everyone.
Multi-technology purification systems work best. A machine may feature a HEPA air purifier, sanitizer, and activated carbon to reduce smells and gasses.
Air cleaners only function if you maintain them, so replace the filter as instructed. Dust and vacuum frequently, particularly if you have pets.
Some of them are beneficial for particular symptoms or airborne pollutants. Vaporous organic compounds (VOCs) from paint or cooking may remain in your home. Activated carbon air purifiers remove VOCs, whereas HEPA air purifier cannot. Fine granular or powdered carbon absorbs gasses and smells.
Find the ones with AHAM certification. The Clean Air Delivery Rate shows how effectively the machine eliminates airborne particles and gases. Check the label of the cleaner. For air filtration, 300 square feet requires 200 CADR.
Wrapping Up
We got to know the pros and cons of air filters for home. They may improve indoor air quality by eliminating allergies, dust, and other pollutants. However, like everything, they too have drawbacks. Some are loud and costly to acquire and maintain. They may also fail against mold and viruses. Your demands, budget, and lifestyle determine if they are ideal for your house. Remember, they are just one aspect of improving house air. Frequent cleaning, sufficient ventilation, and removing pollutants may help you and your family live healthier and more comfortably while using the purifier.
FAQs
How frequently should I change my air purifier filters?
Your air purifier filter and use determine the response. Most manufacturers suggest changing the HEPA air purifier after 6 to 12 months, and when it comes to activated carbon filters, it should bee every 3 to 6 months. Check your product instructions and change filters as required for the best performance.
Can air filters remove viruses like COVID-19?
High-quality air filters, like HEPA air purifiers, may trap viruses. However, they may not completely eliminate COVID-19. They may limit virus transmission but cannot be the only solution. Maintaining masks, social distance, and cleanliness is crucial.
Are air filters helpful against pet dander and odors?
Many air filters eliminate pet dander and smells. HEPA air purifier catch pet dander, while activated carbon filters absorb pet smells. However, choosing them correctly based on the size of your room and replacing them often will keep them working. Frequent cleaning and vacuuming may also decrease pet dander and smells.