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Overview

Pollen. Animal allergens. Mold spores. These and other allergens can affect the quality of the air inside your home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental health risks. For people with allergies, scientific studies have shown that air filtration reduces these airborne allergens and may provide some relief.

Experts recommend two types of filtration:

  • For a single room, look for an air cleaner with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. Check to see that the filter has a CADR (clean air delivery rate) that matches the size of the room where you plan to use it.
  • If your home has a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, you can turn it into a “whole house” filtration system by installing a better permanent or disposable air filter. The most cost-efficient choice is a disposable filter with a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of 11 to 13 — the higher the MERV rating the better. The filter will catch particles such as pollen, pet allergens and mold, and it won’t impede the airflow. It’s nearly impossible to adequately clean a permanent filter of the tiny particles that cause allergies. In many cases you may replace a permanent filter with a disposable filter that you can throw away when it’s full — typically every three months.

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Key Points About Air Filters

  • An air filter has three key components, known as the “filter triangle”: its capacity, the amount of airflow it allows and its efficiency (how well it can trap particles). These three parts need to be balanced: A filter that blocks airflow will cause problems, as will a filter that doesn’t hold enough of the particulates you’re filtering. 
  • Many people overlook the importance of their ductwork in assessing the efficiency of their HVAC system. Any leaks in the system could pull in unfiltered air. The filter slot in the HVAC system is another key spot: If it isn’t well-sealed, air can get sucked in without ever passing through the filter.
  • Homeowners should have a reputable HVAC company test their ducts for leaks and, if necessary, seal them.

Buyer Beware

Some air cleaners can actually irritate your allergies, not help them. Ionic electrostatic room cleaners release ions, which force particles to attach to walls or surfaces. But they don’t remove all the particles from the air, and the ozone that is produced is a known irritant.

Inexpensive fiberglass furnace filters have also been shown to be ineffective. Not changing the filter regularly can also do more harm than good.

For more information, check the EPA’s guidance on indoor air quality in your home. 

Other Ways to Improve Air Quality

Using an air filter is just one step toward improving the quality of air inside your home. Here are other things you can do:

  • Keep the humidity level in your home below 50 percent. Do not use vaporizers or humidifiers.
     
  • Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to reduce dust, pet dander and other allergens. Remember, vacuuming temporarily stirs up dust that takes a couple of hours to settle back down.
     
  • Do not permit smoking in the home at any time.
     
  • During the height of pollen season, reduce the amount of pollen you’re tracking into the home on your shoes or clothes by either removing your shoes or using a tracking mat at the door.
     
  • Groom your pet outside your home to cut down on the amount of pet dander in the air. Wash your pet’s bedding regularly.
     
  • Scrub bathrooms, basements and other tiled areas to cut down on the potential for mold to grow.

 

This page was reviewed for accuracy 4/17/2018.