Protecting your home and your family by breathing better air marks a sincere commitment to health and well-being. 

Easy swaps and additions of air filters can vastly improve the air you breathe. And since we spend so much time in our homes, the air we breathe–and the quality of that air–truly matters.

Air filters keep purifiers and HVAC systems within your home running smoothly and efficiently by trapping pollutants in the air to provide optimal indoor air quality.

Shop Air Oasis filters here.

What Type of Air Filter is Best for Home?

Each filter type has pros and cons, varying based on your goals for your home’s air. Some people need to clean their air from allergens and pollutants and require HVAC system filters. In other situations, a basic filter can get the job done.

There are seven main types of air filters: HEPA filters, UV light filters, electrostatic filters, washable filters, media filters, spun glass filters, and pleated filters.

Depending on the type of air filter, the material ranges from fabrics to fiberglass. Filters are also rated using the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), which rates filters from 1 to 16. Based on the rating, you know how well the filter can trap pollutants as small as 0.3 microns and as large as 10 microns. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective and efficient the filter is.

In general, high-efficiency filters that are also cost-effective are the best option for homes. Still, other considerations should include whether pets are in the home, whether mold or mildew is a threat, and how often the filters should be changed. 

Do Home Air Filters Make a Difference?

Purchasing the right filter for your home’s needs is the difference between indoor air full of contaminants and clean air that is healthy and easy to breathe. A good quality air filter can improve IAQ and stop biological contaminants, pet dander, dirt, mold spores, and other pollutants from living in your home.

Air filters function to remove impurities such as dust, pet dander, and even bacteria from the air that flows through your home’s air system. Not only do good quality air filters improve the air quality inside your home, but they also protect your HVAC system from potential damage. Air filters protect your HVAC unit from dust and dirt that could damage it while supporting the free flow of clean air throughout your home. 

Are Expensive Air Filters Worth it?

As with most things in life, quality matters when it comes to air filters. Cheap air filters can only capture the largest particles in your air, such as sand, hair, and dust. When it comes to your home, investing in the most efficient air filter you can afford will greatly benefit your family and the quality of the air you breathe on a daily basis. Higher quality, and therefore more expensive air filters will not only capture the large particles but also reduce odors and capture the finer particles in your air. 

Cheaper air filters are typically made of spun fiberglass compared to filters made from paper, cotton, or polyester, which are more effective at filtering the air. Electrostatic filters, though more expensive, capture smaller particles more effectively than a standard washable filter and are reusable. Electrostatic filters are highly effective at filtering out fine dirt particles, which also support the health and function of your HVAC system. 

When fine dust and dirt particles collect in your furnace’s heat exchangers, it blocks airflow. When airflow is even partially blocked, your system becomes less efficient as it must run longer to bring your home to the desired temperature. While high-quality filters are more expensive to purchase, they often mean your HVAC system won’t have to run as long, saving you significant money on your energy bill. Utilizing your manufacturer’s recommended MERV filter rating will best protect your HVAC system from dirt, dust, and wear and maximize efficiency and longevity.

No matter your budget, every home’s system and air quality needs will vary. Cost is an important factor to consider and often points to higher quality, but it’s also important to balance the need for cost savings and air filtration effectiveness. 

In addition to home air filters, people who want to maximize their indoor air quality should consider purchasing an air purifier.  

Best Air Purifiers of 2023

To maximize the quality of your home’s air, the one-two punch of an air purifier and high-quality air filter will give you the cleanest air possible. The best air purifiers on today’s market contain one or all of these key features–ionization, UV, and HEPA.  

Ionization is a 100-year-old technology that, when applied to air purification, allows ions to interact with and deactivate contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, VOCs, and odors. All ionic air purifiers (also called air ionizers) work by emitting ions that interact with and deactivate contaminants. Research suggests that ionization offers numerous benefits, including improved psychological health, productivity, and well-being.

UV air filtration uses state-of-the-art ultraviolet light technology to keep viruses and other microorganisms from reproducing and infecting a home, office, or other indoor space. Ultraviolet light damages the genetic material that controls the reproduction of these organisms, making it impossible for them to reproduce. This stops these illness-inducing microbes and may prevent the spread of various diseases and other problems. An effective air purification system often combines UV lamp technology with a traditional filter to maximize the removal of particulate matter from the air and the killing of germs and bacteria.

Finally, HEPA uses high-efficiency filters to capture more than 99% of particulates in the air. Everything from larger smoke particles, pollen, dust, and pet dander are removed, giving you cleaner indoor air. HEPA air purifiers are very effective at removing particulates of a certain size from the air. Using a filtration process, HEPA filters trap the particles and remove them from air circulation. Filter-equipped air purifiers, especially ones adding ionization, are a top choice for those wanting to quickly clear their indoor air of airborne particles like allergens, dust, and pet dander.

Air Filters + Air Purifiers = A Winning Combination

The air you breathe in your home determines a significant component of your overall health and well-being. Investing in an air purifier and quality air filters for your home’s HVAC system and air purifiers is one of the easiest ways to improve your health.

The air we breathe surrounds us in our homes–so why not make it the best quality possible?

With the best air purifiers on the market, Air Oasis offers best-in-class air purification solutions and the highest-quality air filters to support their functioning.