Keep filters effective with regular cleaning
Q: How much do air filters help with preventing allergies?
A: Living with allergies or asthma can be challenging, especially when it comes to breathing in clean air. That’s why air filters are critical in improving indoor air quality and reducing allergy and asthma symptoms. However, cleaning your air filters regularly is essential to maximize their effectiveness.
Before discussing the importance of regular cleaning, it’s important to understand how air filters work. There are different types of air filters, including mechanical filters, electrostatic filters and HEPA filters. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air. The filters capture and trap airborne particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, other allergens and pollutants like smoke, bacteria and viruses.
Air filters capture and trap pollutants, but they become clogged with their trapped particles over time. When the filter becomes clogged, it can’t capture new pollutants effectively, and they can circulate back into the air you breathe. This can significantly negatively affect indoor air quality, particularly for people with allergies and asthma.
Dirty air filters can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. It can also cause headaches, fatigue and other respiratory problems. Regularly changing or cleaning your air filters is essential to ensure they’re working effectively.
The process of cleaning air filters depends on your filter type. Generally, mechanical filters, such as pleated filters, should be replaced every three months. In contrast, electrostatic filters can be cleaned every month. On the other hand, HEPA filters can last up to a year, but it’s still important to check them regularly for signs of wear and tear.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your air filters:
› Turn off your HVAC system and unplug the unit.
› Locate the air filter and remove it from the unit.
› Shake the filter gently to remove any loose debris.
› Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining debris, starting with the intake side of the filter and working your way through the other side.
› Rinse the filter with water, but avoid using hot water, which can damage the filter.
› Allow the filter to dry completely before reinstalling it.
Remember, clean air filters lead to healthier air and happier breathing for everyone in your home.