Can air filters at home protect you from COVID-19?

Updated on February 7, 2023

The recommendations issued by the CDC since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have been inscribed in everybody’s mind: keep six feet away from people around you, wash or sanitize your hands frequently, avoid touching your face and wear a mask when in public places. However, as the months drag on without an end in sight to the pandemic, questioning what else can be done to avoid catching this disease is on everyone’s mind. Could it be that the air filter at home can be an additional, effective weapon against COVID-19? Let’s read on to find out. After all, the best vaccine at this time is arming yourself with knowledge so that you know the most helpful actions to take to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.

How effective is running the AC continuously in protecting against COVID-19?

In this case, there might be some practices related to how you run your AC that may help, such as:

  • Since the air is filtered through the AC only when the system is running, having the AC run longer may offer you cleaner air
  • Make sure that the filter on your AC is clean and properly placed
  • Consider upgrading to a filter with higher efficiency – go for the highest-rated filter that your system will accommodate
  • If your system has one, open the outside air intake

Will an air filter protect me and my family from COVID-19?

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has stated that, when used the right way, air purifiers can help reduce contaminants that are floating in the air within confined spaces of a home, such as viruses and other particles. However, they do stress that the actions described above are still needed to be carried out to ensure the highest level of protection.

What is the relationship between filtration and COVID-19?

COVID-19 seems to be transmitted from person to person when coughing, sneezing, or talking loudly next to each other. At this point, particles become atomized and they travel through the air for a short distance before falling to the floor or to a lower surface.

This means that for atomized particles to be filtered out the person would have to be talking precisely next to where the vent is located. However, this doesn’t mean that the idea of advanced filtration should be discarded.

A high-efficiency air filter will trap at least 85% of contaminants, and that is a big deal. By trapping such particles as mold spores, pollen, dust, and fungi, and eliminating these irritants, you can potentially also reduce the spread of active viruses.

If you are looking to eliminate COVID-19 as much as possible form the air of your home or if you are just looking to have clean indoor air, an important part of your strategy should be having filtration that provides this added level of protection against harmful contaminants and other particles floating in the air that you and your loved ones are breathing on a daily basis.

A 20 x 20 x 1 Air Filter Offers Superior Air Filtration

Keep your AC unit running like a smooth engine and as potent as the first day you installed it by pairing it with a 20 x 20 x 1 air filter and make sure you always get superior air filtration.

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