Air Filters for Allergies

Dealing with allergies? Air filters for allergies are available. All allergy sufferers know that pollen, pollution, and other outdoor air quality factors can lead to sniffles, sore throats, sneezing, runny eyes, and other annoying allergy symptoms. What they may not realize, however, is that the quality of the air they breathe within their homes may be an even bigger allergy trigger. Pets, tobacco smoke, humid indoor conditions, and moisture all contribute to the development of allergies and allergy symptoms. For severe allergy sufferers and those with asthma, allergic reactions can be serious. Controlling the sources causing allergies is even more critical in homes with children and seniors as these groups are more likely to have severe allergy symptoms. To protect against the numerous problems caused by allergies consider the best air filters for allergies.

There are multiple allergy causes indoors, everything from pet dander, dust, and mold can be responsible for allergy symptoms. Unpleasant odors and chemicals in the air like tobacco smoke are also a problem for allergy suffers that can warrant the need for an air filter. For allergies and treatment effectiveness, a filter that can trap particles and absorb odors may be best. Indeed allergy specialists suggest that the best air filter for allergies utilize several layers of filtering technology.

In purifiers with several layers, dirty air first passes through a pre-filter. This pre-filter captures the largest air allergens like pet hair. By capturing these weightier particles at this stage, the performance of the air filter can be extended, allowing the consumer to purchase replacement filters less often and improving the filters efficiency at trapping smaller allergy triggers. The best air filter for allergies will likely have a pre-filter that is washable so it can maintain air cleaning ability for longer. Due to the ease of maintaining pre-filters they are often utilized in ventilation systems in homes as well as offices.

Typical air filters utilize high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) to get out micro particles from the air as small as 0.3 microns. Smaller particles, however, are still in the polluted air and can end up in the lungs. There are filters that work even more effectively than this and can filter out particles that are 0.1 microns or smaller. The best air filters for allergies also utilize activated carbon. This filter type absorbs gases and odors in the air including paint fumes, cigarette smoke, and cooking fumes. Carbon media is often used in pre-filters.

Air filters for allergies are housed in purifiers which usually need to run continuously for best results. Although the entire house can benefit from the use of purifiers, those deciding to purchase a single room purifier should start with the bedroom. High levels of dust mites can be found in bedrooms since this is where sleep occurs. Although not visible to the naked eye, these miniature creatures are a primary cause of allergies in the homes. These miniscule spider-like creatures congregate on mattresses and bedding. Primarily, dust mites consume dead human skin, pet dander, pollen, and other items found in dust. Air filters for allergies will trap the dust eliminating the dust mites’ food supply and their numbers.

When choosing an air filter for allergies or asthma, pay attention to the settings offered by the purifier. Most have several settings from low to high. For allergy sufferers, keep the purifier on high-speed to remove more allergens from the air. Although a high fan speed may mean a more noticeable noise level from the purifier, newer models can operate quietly even on their highest setting.

Over time, even the best air filters for allergies will get clogged up and need replacing. Pre filters are inexpensive and because they trap large particles they need to be replaced at least once every 3 months. The pre-filter may need to be replaced even quicker if used in homes where smoking is allowed. The replacement frequency differs for a HEPA air filter. For allergies, sufferers may need to replace the filter unit every year. This is due to the frequent usage required by purifiers to maintain clean air for severe allergy suffers. For ventilation systems, monthly replacement is usually required during allergy season.

For most individuals, allergy season runs during the spring and summer months when the weather is warmer. If allergies are not a year round problem, filters can be changed once every 60 to 90 days after allergy season ends. Those with year round allergy issues, however, will get the most benefit from continuing to change filters once a month. In between replacing single room filters, their performance can also be maximized by vacuuming them off. The best air filter for allergies, also needs to be easy to find. Replacement filters for all major brands of air purifiers are available at reasonable prices.