Best Air Filters for Allergies

Pollution is increasing in this modern world daily, and humans have long neglected this issue. As a result, the medical problem of being allergic to poor air has started rising. People who have respiratory issues like asthma are suffering the most when they go outside in the world. So you must be thinking that the solution for this issue is staying indoors as long as you can, right? If you are thinking this, then you are wrong. The outer world pollution is also affecting your indoor air quality, but the things that are inside your homes or offices, like building materials, cleaning products, dust, pollen, pet dander, etc., also decrease indoor air quality.

These things are bad for allergy sufferers, and to tackle this problem, humans have created an air filter for your HVAC system. These filters help you to relieve allergies and prevent them. Questions must come to your mind: how will you choose the best air filter for your issue? What things do you need to consider before investing in a filter? Don’t worry, you are lucky today. In this blog, you will find the answer to your every query related to filters for allergies. So read carefully till the end.

What is an air filter?

An air filter is a medium between the air and your HVAC system where the air passes through and is pulled by the system. For individuals who don’t know about the system, HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; its job is to control air temperature and ventilation in your house or office. The role of an air filter is to eliminate airborne particles like dust, dirt, pollen, allergens, etc., and improve indoor air quality. The mechanism of the filter is that when your HVAC system consumes air, then the airborne particles stick on the filter’s small cabinets. As a result, you get fresh, clean air to breathe. Many types of air filters are designed to reduce allerging and prevent them, like HEPA, pleated filters, electrostatic filters, etc. These filters will be discussed in further sections of this blog.

How does poor indoor air quality cause allergies?

Average individuals spend almost 90% of their time indoors, and a study conducted by the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) found indoor air quality is 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air quality. So the people who think that staying indoors is safe are in danger of being exposed to more pollution inside their homes. The concentration of pollutants inside your homes and offices has increased these days because of the construction of energy-efficient buildings that lack proper ventilation and the use of synthetic building materials, household cleaners, furnishings, personal care products, etc. Here are some sources of indoor air pollution:

• Byproducts of combustion like tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.
• Natural substances in the home such as pet dander, mold, and radon.
• Release of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from products like paints, room deodorizers, pesticides, etc.

When the immune system of an individual reacts to a foreign air particle or substance and identifies it as a harmful thing, then allergies occur. Remember that any foreign object that is harmful to your body doesn’t mean it is a threat because every individual's body defense mechanism is different. Allergens like pollen have become a concern because pollen allergies are increasing day by day.

Best air filter types for allergies

As you know, air filters help to remove dust, dirt, and other airborne particles, but some filters are designed in a way that they can remove allergens like pollen, pet dander, and other pollutants that can cause allergies. There are many types of HVAC air filters that are great for tackling allergic people, and here are some of the best of them:

HEPA Filters

HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air; these air filters are recommended as the best filter for allergies. It effectively captures around 99.97% of airborne particles and pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, allergens, microorganisms, etc. The efficiency of eliminating particles of size 0.3 to 1.0 microns makes it the best choice for individuals who are suffering from respiratory issues like asthma. The cost of HEPA filters is a little more expensive than other filters, but as you know, health is wealth, so investing in this type of filter will be a great step for your health.

Pleated Filters

Pleated filters are one of the best air filters for your HVAC system that help you with allergies. The materials that are used to make these filters are pleated paper or cloth, and these are folded in small pleats series. The design of these filters helps them to increase their surface area, which improves their particle-capturing ability. Pleated filters capture large particles as well as small ones like pollen and pet dander, which makes them a better choice for people who are allergic to poor air quality. These filters are not that costly, but they have a long life, which makes them one of the most commonly used filters.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon filters are also known as activated charcoal filters because the main material used for filtration in these filters is charcoal. The process of making these filters is very unique, they undergo a type of processing where they develop low-volume tine pores that increase their surface area for better filtration. Activated carbon filters are effective in reducing allergies in individuals by eliminating allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites effectively. These filters are usually used indoors due to their higher ability to remove odors and VOCs from your houses.

UV Light Filters

Air filters that use UV-C light (short-wave ultraviolet light) for filtration are known as UV light filters. They are effective at removing mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms and airborne pathogens that can cause allergies or worsen the condition of present allergies. The process of filtration in these filters is simple: when the particles and pollutants pass through the filter, they are exposed to UV light and eliminated. These filters are best for workplaces and individuals who want a sterile environment.

Role of MERV rating for allergies

MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a rating system for air filters that was created by ASHRAE (American Society Of Heating, Refrigerating, And Air Conditioning Engineers). The role of this rating system is important because it shows the efficiency of removing particles depending on the size of particles in micrometers. The MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, and here is the chart that will help you identify which rating is the best for you:

Tips for reducing allergies

Having an air filter that removes allergens from your home is very beneficial, but if you only depend on the filter, then the amount of particles that trigger allergies will only reduce, not completely vanish. You can take some measures to eliminate allergens from your home, and here they are:

Clean Your Home

Properly cleaning your home regularly is important because, over time, dust starts increasing in your home and causes allergies. Clean your home with the help of a vacuum cleaner because it removes debris and dust from your floor and carpets. Regularly wash your bedsheets because dust that sticks to sheets can cause allergies. Dusting with feather dusters will throw dust into the air, so avoid it and use a vacuum attachment for dusting, especially on areas such as the blades of a ceiling fan and windows. When you come inside your home from outside, take off your shoes and change your clothes so the outer dust doesn’t enter your home.

Avoid Chemical Products

Chemical products contain substances that can trigger your allergies when you use them in your home. Products like home cleaners, room fresheners, perfumes, etc. contain harmful chemicals that not just cause allergies but lethal issues like cancer. So stop using harmful cleaners and use natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda to clean your home if you want to prevent allergies or relieve your respiratory condition.

Groom Your Pets

Individuals who have pets should always make sure that their furry friends, like dogs and cats, are groomed properly. Combing and bathing your pet regularly helps reduce the amount of pet dander in your home because your pet will stop spreading dead cells and hair in your entire home. You must make sure that all of the grooming you do outside of your home so the hair and dead cells of your pet don’t wander around your house. Your pets can also cause more frequent changes to your air filter.

Prevent Mold Spores

When you inhale mold spores, your immune system reacts defensively to it and causes coughing and itchy eyes like symptoms of allergy. The reasons for mold in your house are high levels of moisture. So try to reduce moisture in places like the kitchen, bathroom, and other places where water is most of the time presented. Avoid using your shower long before bathing. High levels of humidity can also cause mold; to tackle this, use a dehumidifier to reduce the formation of both dust mites and mold. Clean the areas immediately where you find mold.

Conclusion

The quality of air is decreasing rapidly, and due to this, many people are suffering from allergies and other respiratory issues related to bad air quality, like asthma. To fix this global issue, air filters are created that remove all of the contaminants from the air and provide clean, safe, breathable air. There are many types of filters specialized for allergies available on the market, such as HEPA filters, pleated filters, UV light filters, etc., and you should consider a high MERV rating filter that at least ranges between 8 and 13.

Wondering about where you will buy an air filter that suits your needs? Don’t worry. Here at Custom Filters Direct, we provide HVAC air filters that fulfill your need to improve indoor air quality so you can relieve allergies. We provide customizable air filters that can easily fit in your HVAC system, and we also provide filters of MERV ratings 8, 11, and 13, so what are you waiting for? Order your customized filter today. For more information, contact us at (877) 812-7983.

MERV 8 Air Filters

MERV 11 Air Filters

MERV 13 Air Filters