The Impact of Air Filters & Air Quality Products on Viruses like COVID-19

This document explains the common indoor air quality products employed in residential homes, focusing particularly on their potential benefits and impacts on the transmission of diseases such as COVID-19.

Can an Air Filtration System Shield Against Covid-19?

It’s important to note that regardless of the air filtration system used, it can only filter out a virus if it’s initially introduced into the home, often by inhabitants. Therefore, it’s crucial to take preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, using personal protective equipment, and utilizing sanitizing products. Standard filters may not effectively capture viruses due to their small size and ability to pass through filter gaps. Hence, proper disposal techniques should be employed when handling used filters.

Air Filters Varieties and Their Efficiency Against Viruses Like Covid-19

High-Efficiency Air Filters

These filters can catch particles as small as 2 microns, effectively filtering out allergens, pet dander, and mold. However, their efficacy against viruses could be better due to the tiny size of most viral particles. Even the highly efficient HEPA filters, mainly utilized in hospitals, may not fully filter out viruses as they can only filter particles down to .3 microns at a 99.97% efficiency rate.

Effectiveness of HEPA Filters Against Covid-19

Although the filter may trap some viral particles, it is essential to clarify that these products should not be marketed as a defense against Covid-19.

Electronic Air Filters

These filters capture most particles in a prefilter before charging the remaining ones electrically. An ozone generator component can attach to contaminants like mold spores and bacteria, effectively eliminating them.

Effectiveness of Electronic Air Filters Against Covid-19

According to the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, ozone-generating products could be effective against coronaviruses like SARS, with studies showing the potential elimination of up to 99% of virus cells under sufficient ozone exposure. However, the efficacy of ozone against COVID-19 is yet to be established.

UV Lights

UV lights work on the principle of exposing surfaces to UV light for a specific duration, effectively killing viruses like SARS and MERS. However, UV lights’ effectiveness in residential settings may be limited due to the quick air movement in ducting systems, which might not allow adequate exposure time for the light to kill the virus.

Effectiveness of UV Lights Against Covid-19

While there is promising evidence of UV lights’ potential effectiveness against other coronaviruses, their effectiveness against COVID-19 remains to be determined due to the optimal exposure time and distance requirements.

Air Scrubbers

Air scrubbers like Aerus Air use ActivePure Technology to sanitize the air. The technology transforms microscopic oxygen and water molecules into powerful oxidizers that eliminate contaminants in the air and on surfaces.

Effectiveness of Air Scrubbers Against Covid-19

As with the other products, air scrubbers have yet to be specifically tested against Covid-19. Nonetheless, their mechanism, which allows for an airborne response to airborne contaminants, might offer an edge over other systems that depend on the HVAC system to bring contaminants to them.

The Efficacy of Air Filtration Systems in Combating Covid-19

Key Takeaways for Our Customers:

None of the commonly used consumer indoor air quality products has been tested specifically for effectiveness against Covid-19.
Most of these products show some effectiveness against coronavirus-type viruses under certain conditions. However, their reliance on air ducts to bring the virus to them and retain them long enough for elimination makes complete removal unlikely.
Improving indoor air quality is crucial for overall health, and we strongly recommend using these products for that purpose, not necessarily as a COVID-19 prevention method.
Be educated and sensible about the products you’re considering. If a product’s claims sound too good to be true, they probably are.

Remember that using certain products, such as high-efficiency filters, can restrict your airflow and may require modifications to your duct system to maintain optimal operation. Attempting self-installation without sufficient knowledge of the product and your HVAC system could result in premature failure of system components.

For these reasons, we recommend professional installation for most of these products.

Managing humidity levels in your home is crucial for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. During the summer months, it is essential to remove humidity to prevent mold and mildew growth, while in the winter, adding humidity can prevent dry skin, throat, and nosebleeds.

Humidity levels are measured as a percentage, and the ideal range is between 30% and 50%. During the summer, when the humidity level is higher, it is important to remove humidity to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. This can be done by using a dehumidifier or air conditioning unit. These devices work by removing moisture from the air, which helps to lower the humidity level. Not only does this prevent mold and mildew growth, but it also helps to keep your home more comfortable. High humidity levels can make it feel warmer and more muggy inside, even when the temperature is cool.

On the other hand, in the winter months, adding humidity can be beneficial for your health and home. As the air outside becomes drier, the humidity level inside your home can drop, which can cause dry skin, throat, and nosebleeds. To combat this, you can use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. This can help to raise the humidity level, making your home feel more comfortable and preventing dryness-related health issues. Additionally, adding humidity to the air can make it harder for cold and flu viruses to survive, which can help to reduce the spread of illness.

It is important to note that using dehumidifiers and humidifiers is not the only way to manage humidity levels in your home. Increasing ventilation by opening windows and doors when the weather permits, and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove moisture from these areas. Additionally, reduce the amount of moisture produced in your home by avoiding activities that produce a lot of moisture, such as cooking and showering, and by using a moisture absorber in your closets and other damp areas.

Managing humidity levels in your home is essential for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. By removing humidity in the summer and adding humidity in the winter, you can help to improve indoor air quality, reduce the spread of illness, and make your home more comfortable. Be sure to use a dehumidifier or air conditioning unit to remove humidity in the summer and a humidifier in the winter. Additionally, use other methods such as increasing ventilation and reducing the amount of moisture produced in your home to manage humidity levels all year round.