After a certain period of time, people start to establish a “normal.” This is true of air quality too. People get used to certain scents and certain levels of dust or pollen. If this “normal” is offset, they’ll notice right away.
Maybe the air feels too damp, smells musty, makes their eyes itchy, or makes them cough. Homeowners might try to take the cheap route to fix the air quality. Unfortunately, this is not a sustainable solution and will end up hurting them in the future.
Dirty Air Filters Causes Health IssuesDirty air filters have many potential health hazards, especially for those who have allergies, asthma, or respiratory illnesses. Air filters trap dirt, dust, pollen, and other contaminants to stop them from traveling throughout the home. When air filters get too dirty, they are too full to trap additional dust and dirt, so these contaminants start to travel.
This can cause several health problems including itchy eyes, headaches, dizziness, congestion, and trouble breathing. It’s the responsibility of the homeowner to clean the air filters and protect the health of the people living in the home.
Can Disposable Air Filters Be Cleaned?The answer is no. The best way to clean air filters is to replace them. Homeowners will try to clean and reuse their disposable air filters so they can save money by not buying new filters. There are several cleaning methods they often try.
Some will vacuum their air filters in an attempt to suck out the dirt and dust. The issue with this method is that vacuums can’t reach the inner fibers of the filter. Particles like dust, pollen, and dirt are trapped deep within the air filter.
A vacuum doesn’t have the power to eliminate them all, and when the particles aren’t removed, they can cause blockages and prevent the air from passing through the filter efficiently. Cleaning air filters with water is another common attempt.
However, using water actually encourages mold growth, and the mold spores that develop can spread throughout the rest of the home over time. Shaking the air filter won’t give you the benefits of clean air either. Instead, it damages the integrity of the filter by loosening the density of the fibers. In conclusion, don’t try to clean disposable air filters. Just replace them!
A Holistic Approach to Air Quality UpgradesWhen looking to upgrade the air quality in the home, it’s best to consult a professional who has a holistic understanding of the HVAC system. Many homeowners will assume that getting an air filter upgrade will fix everything. Of course, if the air filter is the main source of the air quality problem in the house, switching the air filters would be a good solution. But in many cases, the air filter is a small piece of the puzzle, and there are many other factors contributing to poor air quality.
It’s best to cleanse the air in a holistic way rather than just fixing one part and leaving remaining dust and new chemicals mixed into the air. An HVAC professional can help identify the best solution to improve the home’s air quality, based on the specific situation that homeowners are facing.