We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Whole House Air Filter?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,902
Share

The whole house air filter is a filter designed for use in whole house air cleaner systems. Filters of this type help to catch and remove contaminants from the air inside the home, helping to make the living quarters healthier for the residents. There are several different designs for the filters, with some constructed for use in different types of filtration systems, and others created for use in specific brands of air cleaning equipment.

The typical whole house air filter is constructed as a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter. This means that the filter is capable of catching particles that would slip through other forms of filters. As a result, this type of air filter has an average efficiency of 99.97% when it comes to trapping all sorts of contaminants in the air circulating through the home.

A whole house air filter can be used as part of a stand-alone system, or be utilized as the filter of choice in a general heating and cooling system. In either case, the filter is capable of filtering out smoke from tobacco products, pollens, pet dander, and other types of bacteria and allergens. When the filter is working at top efficiency, the air in the home is fresher and cleaner. This means that residents are less likely to breathe in contaminants that often lead to the development of different health issues.

Most systems that utilize a whole house air filter are designed to make the process of changing out the filter a relatively easy task. Most can be accessed by simply opening a chamber in the heating and cooling system, extracting the old filter, and sliding a new filter in place. Manufacturers of different air filtration systems normally include guidelines on how often to replace the filter, as well as step by step instructions on how to go about the replacement process.

While many people believe that a whole house air filter will keep the home free of the majority of contaminants, there are others who claim this type of filter is no more effective than other filter options. Testing in a variety of different environments indicate that a whole house air filter does outperform some other types of filters in particular settings, while the level of efficiency is similar to that of other filters in different situations. Consumers should evaluate the quality of the air in their homes and determine if a whole house air filter is likely to significantly enhance air quality within their living spaces.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-whole-house-air-filter.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.