Do I Need an Air Filter in Every Room?

The benefits of an air filter should be well known by now as they can help to remove the kinds of particles that can cause adverse health effects. Air filters are especially helpful for people with respiratory problems like asthma but they are also good for people with compromised immune systems.

When you consider how useful air filters are for everyone in a home or office, you might start to think that the more air filters there are, the better the air will be for everyone. However, that is not necessarily the case.

Nonetheless, an air filter is an invaluable part of the home’s HVAC system, which is why every home should have one. Both online retailers and physical stores carry a wide variety of filters including 16x36x1 air filters and more. So if you find that you need a new filter, do not hesitate to get a new one as soon as possible.

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An Air Filter in Every Room is Not Necessary

You only need to use as many air filters as your HVAC system can hold and sometimes even less. That is partly because placing a filter in every room is not an easy task or a cheap one for that matter. Another reason is that just putting a filter in a large heavily-trafficked room is enough because that is likely where most of the particles and pollutants will come from.

An air filter in every room might make someone feel more secure but in reality, one or two air purifiers throughout the HVAC system are more than enough for most homes.

The Type of Air Filter is More Important

It is not the number of air filters that is important, but rather the type of air filter that is used. Some air filters trap a higher amount of particulate matter and pollutants than others so if there are individuals in the home that need the air to be as clean and pure as possible, then those are the kinds of filters that should be attained.

The effectiveness of an air filter at trapping particles is determined by two factors, its MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) and whether it is a HEPA (High Energy Particle Air) filter or not.

The MERV rating of an air purifier is an indication of how effective it is at removing particulate matter and pollutants from the air. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16 and most homes will be fine with filters in the 8 to 10 range.

However, if there are people in the home who need more protection, then a filter in the 10 to 12 range is more appropriate. Air purifiers in that range can remove smaller particles like droplet nuclei and smoke, both of which can create serious problems for people with respiratory issues or who are immunocompromised.

HEPA filters

One way you can be certain that a filter is effective at removing smaller particles from the air is if you get a HEPA filter. That is because those types of filters are extremely efficient at removing even microscopic particles from the air. However, before acquiring a HEPA purifier for the home, you should make sure that your HVAC system can handle it.

Since HEPA filters can trap microscopic particles, that means they are more tightly woven than regular air filters. That in turn means that it is more difficult for air to pass through those filters, which means that it puts a strain on the HVAC system. You need to know if your system can handle that strain because if it cannot, then that could cause problems like higher energy bills and costly repairs.

Air Filters Need To Be Changed on a Regular Basis

In order to maintain their effectiveness, air filters need to be changed when they get dirty and clogged. That is because an air filter can no longer be effective if it is clogged with particulate matter and pollutants. That also means it is more difficult for air to pass through a dirty filter and that can put a strain on the HVAC system. That is why an air filter needs to be replaced as soon as it gets dirty. Regular air filters need to be changed about every six months while HEPA filters need to be changed every two or three months.

The Right Kind of Filter is Most Important

It is better and more efficient to get the right kind of air filter for one or two rooms than to install an air filter in every room. Not only is it cheaper to get one or two air filters, but it is also far easier on the homeowner since they only need to replace a filter or two instead of several. So if there are people in the home who need extra protection from pollutants and particulate matter, then it is better to get a HEPA purifier for the most heavily-used rooms rather than putting an air filter in every room.

Read more: Importance of air exchangers

Written by Billy Guteng. July 28, 2020

Billy was born in France, and has lived in multiple cities around the world ever since. He loves art, design and architecture and he supports the KUKUN team as a content provider.