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Home Air Quality Myths vs. Facts

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published May 11, 2022

Breathing polluted air can increase your chances of contracting a disease and respiratory illness. Improving your air quality allows you to breathe easier. This article shows what’s true and what’s a myth when it comes to improving your home’s air quality.

A woman opening a large kitchen window.

Your Questions Answered: Improving Indoor Air Quality

We often take the air we breathe for granted. When it comes to air quality, many people think that their homes have cleaner air than the outdoors — but the air indoors can be even more polluted. Allergens, dandruff, dust and odors can saturate the air more in a contained space than outdoors, and outdoor air pollutants can get inside.

If you have questions about indoor air quality, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for tips for improving indoor air quality. We’ll also dispel some common myths about indoor air.

Myth 1: All High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters Are Created Equal

One of the most straightforward ways to improve air quality inside your home is with the help of filters and air-purifying systems. The most efficient type of filter is a HEPA filter, which traps small, harmful particles by forcing the air through fine mesh material. They were originally designed for use in labs and hospitals, but they’ve made their way to the consumer market and are often found in vacuums, air purifiers and even heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.

There’s a difference between true HEPA filters and HEPA-type filters:

  • True HEPA filters go through an extensive testing process to ensure that they trap exactly 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles. They’re far more effective than HEPA-type filters.
  • HEPA-type air filters don’t meet the same industry standards, but they’re still able to effectively trap dust, pollen and other allergens.

Myth 2: Opening Windows and Doors Freshens Your Home

A woman sitting on a sofa next to open French doors.

Opening the windows and doors in your home can let in some fresh air, but it doesn’t help to purify the air. Natural ventilation can help to regulate the temperature in homes without heating and cooling systems, but pollutants will remain.

Many of the chemicals that are released when you clean and cook stick to the walls and get trapped in fabric. Diluting the air in the home by opening windows and doors seems like it would help clear the air, but it makes little difference in the number of particles trapped in the space.

In fact, keeping your windows closed can benefit air quality because it helps keep outdoor pollutants from traffic and industry out of your home. Putting your air conditioner in recirculation mode while operating it recycles the air indoors by running the air through the filter multiple times.

Myth 3: Your Old HVAC Filter Is Fine

Most people think that if there’s a filter in place, the HVAC system will be fine. The truth is, not using an air filter is better than using an old one. Change your filter every three months to make sure you avoid damage to your HVAC system.

Short cycling happens when the filter isn’t maintained regularly and it becomes clogged. This can also cause the furnace to overheat from trying to push air through an area with a lack of airflow. This traps the heat in the system and can cause your HVAC system to run hot. It may be time to replace your HVAC filter if:

  • The back of the unit is too hot.
  • The air isn’t cold enough.
  • Your electricity bill has gone up.
  • There’s an increased amount of dust near the air vents.
  • You find yourself suffering from more allergy attacks.

Myth 4: You Can’t Have Clean Air Without an HVAC System

A woman changing an H V A C filter.

Many people believe that without an HVAC system, they can’t improve their home’s air quality. This is especially worrisome during the spring and summer months when there may be extra pollen floating around. Fortunately, portable air purifiers can help to remove particles and come in a wide range of styles and prices.

The effectiveness of your air purifier depends on the size of the room and the size of the device. Small tabletop purifiers are less effective because they aren’t strong enough to handle large volumes of air. Typically, you’d need a mid-sized purifier to handle a single room. Effectiveness also depends on how well the purifier collects particles and how fast it circulates the air. The efficiency rate tells you how effectively the device removes particles, while the intake of air and speed are measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

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