How To Choose The Best Home Air Filter

We’ve recently touched on why it’s so important to regularly replace your home air filter in your ventilation system. However, knowing when and how to change your filter is only part of the battle. To get the most out of your system you need to choose the right air filter for your needs.

Choosing the right air filter can be a little confusing. If you consider the numerous filtration criteria and your individual needs it can be quite easy to purchase a filter not suited to your home environment. We’ve put together this little guide on why choosing the right filter is important and included a little guide to help you choose which filter will get the best results in your home.

Why Choosing the Right Filter is Important

Most people with a home ventilation system aren’t aware of the various home air filters available, simply choosing the first filter they come across that fits their system or buying the same filter each time as a habit. In choosing the wrong kind of filter you’re leaving yourself susceptible to higher rates of pollutants within the home, effectively wasting your money on a product which isn’t doing what you need it to.

If there’s a member of your family who suffers from any respiratory issue or allergy choosing the right air filter should be a top priority for you. If we dumb down the science behind air filters we can liken them to a sieve as it allows air to pass through whilst blocking the path of the undesirable pollutants of dust, dirt and allergens. Different air filters can be likened to sieve with larger or smaller hols for air to pass through. The larger the holes, the more pollutants will make it into the general air’s circulation.

Not all filters are created equal. There is unfortunately no single filter that will remove all of the allergens within your home. That being said, there are differing levels of home air filter ranging from the basic residential filters which remove large particles to the very complex and expensive, the type often used in hospitals.

It goes without saying that the chances of a residential property needing a medical grade filter are slim at best. Sure, you could go out and get one to ensure that your home air quality is as high as possible, but are a more basic filter will do everything you need it to and at a far cheaper price.

How to Choose The Right Air Filter

You only need to focus on the pollutants and allergens that will be in your home. If you’re not sure how to figure out what allergens may be in your home think about any potential allergen sources. Are you near to a busy intersection? Do you own any pets? etc. Bear in mind that if there is an allergy or asthma sufferer in the house it’s recommended to take one step up in terms of which filter you need to be on the safe side.

When you’ve got a short list of the potential allergens in your home it’s time to pick out the filter that will best combat the sources. We’ve put together a little infographic below to help you understand exactly which air filter is the best for you. Cross reference the below with the allergens that will be prevalent in your home and you should be able to easily pick which one is best for you.

When the time for you to purchase a new home air filter comes around, be sure you’re buying the right one. Use the guide we’ve created, check which allergens you need filtered and buy the filter that will eradicate all of the allergens you need removing.

Buy smart to save yourself money whilst also reducing any chance of causing yourself an unecessary reaction.

Hopefully this guide has been helpful to you. If you have any questions regarding choosing the right filter don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or get in touch with us.

Image – Dmitry G