Do I Need a HEPA Air Filter in My Home?

Air pollution affects more than just the air you breathe while outdoors. When you enter your home from the outside, you can bring with you a variety of contaminants including dust, pollen, and other air pollutants. When these pollutants enter your home, they can impact your indoor air quality, affecting the air that you and your family breathe.
HEPA filters help add an extra layer of protection for you and your family, helping to filter out more of the pollutants in your indoor air. The question is, do you need a HEPA air filter in your home, or is a standard air filter enough to keep your family breathing easy year-round?

What is a HEPA Air Filter?

High-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, help filter out harmful pollutants in the air like dust, pollen, and pet dander. To be considered a HEPA filter, U.S. government standards require the filter to remove at least 99.7% of particles from the air. HEPA filters are often found in air purifiers and vacuum cleaners and are used to help improve the indoor air quality of homes, hospitals, and commercial buildings.

Benefits of HEPA Air Filters

HEPA filters can provide many benefits to businesses and homeowners. These filters are specially designed to trap more of the harmful pollutants that enter the home or building, keeping more contaminants from entering the air and impacting indoor air quality. These filters are a great option for those with weakened immune systems who may feel a more significant impact from air pollution, such as small babies and elderly family members. They can also make it easier for those with respiratory conditions or issues to breathe easier year-round.

Do You Need a HEPA Air Filter in Your Home?

When it comes to HEPA air filters, the decision depends on your needs and the needs of your family members. For most homeowners, the typical air filter filters out enough contaminants to provide sufficient indoor air quality. However, those who suffer from asthma, severe allergies, or other respiratory issues may benefit from upgrading their indoor air quality products since they often have trouble breathing and can be affected by the slightest number of particles in the air.

If you decide that you want to use a HEPA filter, you must learn more about your options and the capabilities of your current HVAC system. Most standard HVAC systems are not designed to handle HEPA air filters, due to the way that they restrict airflow. Homeowners may want to opt for a standalone air purifier with a HEPA filter or contact their HVAC company to install a whole home system.

If you would like to learn more about HEPA filters and whether or not they may be right for your home environment, contact Sheldon's Heating & Air Conditioning today. Our HVAC experts would be happy to discuss your home comfort options and suggest the ideal air filters and HVAC upgrades for your home comfort needs.