Yes, more expensive air filters filter out smaller particles, but they are not always better for your home or car. While they capture more allergens, they can restrict airflow, causing your system to work harder, consume more energy, and potentially suffer costly mechanical damage.
Expensive air filters are usually worth it if you have severe allergies, pets, or asthma, but they come with important trade-offs. Mid-range pleated filters often provide the best balance of air quality, system efficiency, and affordability for average homes.
A filter with a higher MERV value is denser than one with a lower MERV value. Absent any adjustments to your HVAC system, the “better” filter can impede airflow, make your house less comfortable, and reduce the lifespan of your system. So, does a higher MERV value improve indoor air quality? Yes.
Asthma and Air Filters. If you have asthma symptoms, an air filter or room air cleaner may help you to breathe better. The same is true for those with hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or COPD (emphysema or chronic bronchitis). If you live with a smoker, an air filter or room air cleaner is likely to be helpful.
Yes, air purifiers help by capturing airborne viral particles (including the flu) and removing respiratory droplets from the air. While they do not prevent direct transmission or touching contaminated surfaces, they are highly recommended by health authorities to reduce the concentration of indoor germs.
Yes, it is perfectly safe and highly recommended to run an air purifier all night. Doing so continuously reduces allergens and pollutants while you sleep, provided you select the right device and use it correctly.
Follow the 2/3 Rule
As a rule of thumb, the CADR of your air cleaner should be equal to at least two-thirds of the room's area. For example, a room with the dimensions of 10 feet by 12 feet has an area of 120 square feet. It would be best to have an air cleaner with a smoke CADR of at least 80.
The best place to put an air purifier is in the center of the room, elevated 3 to 5 feet off the ground, and at least 6 to 12 inches away from walls or furniture. This unobstructed placement allows the device to maximize airflow and circulate clean air evenly.
5 Common Signs It's Time To Invest In An Air Purifier
For the best air quality, run your air purifier 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Indoor pollutants like dust and pet dander are constantly generated, and continuous operation ensures particulates do not build up between uses.
Replacing a clogged air filter can increase fuel efficiency and improve acceleration, depending on your car make and model.
No, standard air purifiers do not physically remove moisture from the air. They merely cycle air through filters (like HEPA and carbon) to trap pollutants. However, the continuous airflow from the device's fan can increase evaporation from your skin and nasal passages, making the air feel drier.
Cheap HVAC air filters (around MERV 6-8) are often better for your heating and cooling system. They allow proper airflow, preventing strain on your blower motor and lowering energy bills. Expensive, high-MERV filters improve air quality but can choke the system, leading to costly HVAC repairs.
Higher-quality filters last longer, require fewer replacements, and perform consistently over time. They also do a better job of improving indoor air quality by trapping smaller particles, which can help reduce respiratory issues and promote overall well-being.
These filters trap double the dirt of standard air filters and protect your engine against wear by trapping contaminants entering your vehicle's engine.
The brand of the filter doesn't necessarily matter, it's finding a filter that removes the most pollutants (MERV rating) from the air AND one that allows your HVAC system to perform efficiently. Here are some common misconceptions about air filters to help further educate you on their importance.
If you're wondering if it's time to change your HEPA filter, look out for these signs.
The best time to run your air purifier is continuously (24/7) on a low or auto setting. Indoor pollutants like dust and pet dander accumulate constantly. For targeted results, you can run it during these key times:
When choosing an air purifier, prioritize a True HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. Match the machine's CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) to your room's square footage, and opt for an Activated Carbon filter if you want to eliminate smoke, cooking smells, and VOCs.
Yes. If you would like to enjoy improved air quality, then running your air purifier during the night is highly recommended. Pollutants and allergens are still around during the night time, so filtering them out of your air on a continuous basis is ideal.
Yes, air purifiers with True HEPA filters can effectively capture and remove airborne mold spores. However, they only treat the spores floating in the air and cannot eliminate mold that is already growing on walls, floors, or in damp spaces.
One air purifier can work for small homes or apartments with open floor plans. Closed doors and walls block airflow, reducing effectiveness in separate rooms. For most homes over 1,000 square feet with multiple closed rooms, using two or more purifiers provides better coverage.
If you have more air purifiers than is necessary, you do stand the chance of over-purifying the air in your home and using more energy than necessary.
While true HEPA filters effectively target particles down to 0.3 microns, H13 filters are rated to capture particles as small as 0.1 microns. This makes them highly effective in environments with vulnerable populations, where the risk of airborne contamination must be minimized.
Air purifiers work everywhere
Stop worrying about upstairs versus downstairs. Put your air purifier in the room where you need clean air most, make sure it's the right size for that space, give it proper clearance, and run it consistently. That formula works every time — on any floor, in any home.