Filter-Monster Blog — HEPA filter

Breathe Easier: The Importance of Changing Your Air Purifier Filters for Allergy and Asthma Relief

If you suffer from spring allergies or asthma, changing your air purifier filter is one of the most important things that should be on your spring cleaning list. If it's not, write it down right now. Surprisingly enough, allergy and asthma triggers exist in places other than outside. Those particles that cause your sneezing, itchy throat, watery eyes, and breathing issues can find their way into your home when you open your windows or doors and even through your vents. Changing your air purifier filters during the spring can greatly reduce these particles and the symptoms they cause. But first, let's briefly discuss which air purifiers are best for allergy and asthma relief.  

Which Air Purifiers Help Allergy and Asthma Relief?

Air purifiers that utilize a True HEPA filter are best when it comes to relieving allergy and asthma symptoms. The HEPA filter can capture up to 99.97% of airborne allergens and irritants, such as pet dander/hair, dust mite debris, smoke, pollen, mold spores, and much more. This helps reduce the concentration of allergens in the air that can trigger allergy symptoms and asthma attacks. Some air purifiers even come with activated carbon pre-filters alongside the HEPA filter. These carbon filters can help eliminate or remove VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and odors from the air. An air purifier containing both of these filters is highly recommended to maximize allergy and asthma symptom relief. 

We recommend also checking the CADR of an air purifier. CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate and refers to how many times an air purifier cleans the air within so many square feet. For example, if you want an air purifier for a 400 sq. ft. room, make sure the CADR matches that size of the room. A good CADR rating should be equal to at least two-thirds of the room size you are wanting to purify. If you choose an air purifier that doesn't cover that, you risk leaving plenty of dirty air circulating the room. 

How Often Should You Change Your Air Purifier Filter?

Well, that depends on the air purifier. We recommend checking the manual of your air purifier. If the air purifier contains an activated carbon pre-filter, typically those are changed every 3 months or so (depending on usage and environmental conditions). True HEPA filters are changed roughly every 6 to 12 months (again, depending on usage and environmental conditions). To make it easier on yourself, set reminders for yourself to purchase the filters ahead of time and then to change out the filters. If you're not great at remembering to buy filters, you can always create a subscription (preferably with us!). Simply set up a time period for the filters to be sent out and voila! The filters will arrive at your doorstep automatically. To find out if your filters qualify for a subscription, you can search for them here. Simply find your filter, choose "Subscribe and Save" and set your frequency. Easy Peezy! 

Your home should be a breathing sanctuary - a safe space for you to relax. If you find that your allergies are just as bad inside as they are outside, this would be a sign that you should invest in an air purifier. If you have one and find your allergies are still being triggered, it may be time to change the air filter. If you can't remember the last time you changed the filter, this is also a sign that the time is now. Changing your filter will help you sleep better, breathe better, and live better!