Cigarette smoke filtration, Air conditioning systems are designed to filter out large particles, like dust and lint, from the air. They do a good job of this, but they aren’t really designed to be effective smoke filters.
However, many AC units do have internal filters that are designed to improve air quality somewhat, but mostly for trapping large particles like dust.
Table of Contents
Filtering Cigarette Smoke
In most cases, these filters are not effective at filtering out small particles like smoke, so they do not help much in this regard. However, you could substantially lower the amount of pollution created by cigarette smoke if you install a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter on your home’s central air conditioning system.
These filters are designed to trap the smallest particles and will significantly reduce the amount of smoke that makes it through. You can also buy a portable air purifier that you can use in your home or office when you have smokers over, but this is not a long-term solution.
Although the purpose of an air conditioner is to cool the area and not remove smoke, some modern models have improved features that can slightly purify it. The best way to protect your home from the effects of cigarette smoke is to install a HEPA filter on your air conditioning system.
When it comes to purifying the air from smoke, experts claim that window AC units are more effective than small-sized models with a single hose. So, if you want to get rid of cigarette smoke pollution, you should consider using a window AC unit with HEPA filters.
Please note that Air conditioner filters should be cleaned at least once every month, but how often you clean them depends on the amount of dirt and impurities they collect. The more contaminated your air is, the more frequently you’ll have to clean those filters out.
Read on to learn how to reduce the impact of smoking on your home’s air quality.
Does AC Filter Smoke? How To Filter Smoke and Improve Indoor Air Quality
Cigarette smoke filtration worried about the quality of air in your home, especially during the winter months, there are a few steps you can take to improve it.
Try HEPA Filters For Your Air Conditioner
HEPA filters are very effective at removing over 98% of harmful particles from your indoor air.
They’re made of a special filter material that’s not only good at trapping particles but also absorbs them into the filter itself so they can’t escape back into the air you breathe. The result is improved indoor air quality, better health for you and your family, and less stress for everyone in your household.
Get Some Indoor Plants
If you live in an apartment or condo where smoke is an issue, consider having some plants around. Not only will they clean the air and add oxygen, but they will also make your home feel more comfortable. More importantly, plants are natural air purifiers that can help remove some of the chemicals in cigarette smoke.
The best types of plants to have around are ones that are easy to care for and thrive in low light.
Air Purifier (With a HEPA filter)
An air purifier can help filter out particulates and other pollutants in the air before they settle on surfaces like furniture, walls, and floors.
There are many different types of air purifiers available for purchase, ranging from small tabletop models to larger units that hang from ceilings or stand on floors.
The best type will depend on how large your space is and what kind of pollutants you want to be removed from your home’s air supply.
To effectively remove the smell of tobacco smoke from your home, a HEPA filter capable of trapping the tiniest particles should be used in an air purifier.
Open The Windows
Cigarette smoke filtrationseem counterintuitive, but opening your windows can help reduce the amount of smoke that gets inside your home. Opening up all the windows allows fresh air to come into your home from the outside — fresh air that doesn’t contain any smoke particles or other pollutants.
AC Maintenance
Regular maintenance on your air conditioner is essential to ensure that your system runs efficiently and effectively throughout the year (especially during the summer months). A dirty filter can clog up quickly if left unchecked — especially when the dust and debris in the air are particularly heavy.
Experts suggest that the average homeowner should clean their air conditioner‘s filter once every month or so. If you have pets in your home, this may need to be done more frequently than that.
How Does Smoke Affect Air Quality?
Cigarette smoke contains an extremely high level of particles, which are microscopic specks of dust or dirt.
At least 70 of the 250 chemicals commonly found in cigarettes are known to cause cancer, but these pollutants don’t stick to your lungs—they also linger around at home and make breathing less healthy.
Also, cigarettes are a major source of secondhand smoke, which is the amount of cigarette smoke that non-smokers breathe in when they’re around smokers. Secondhand smoke contains many of the same chemicals as the original cigarette smoke, and it has been proven to cause cancer in both adults and children.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there are no air filters designed specifically to get rid of cigarette smoke pollution. However, you could lower the amount of pollution created by cigarette smoke if you installed a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter on your home’s AC system.
Although some air conditioners can filter smoke to a limited extent, they are not effective for eliminating tiny impurities. In addition, you should be mindful of how you use your AC so that it doesn’t break down too quickly.
If you want to avoid the harmful effects of cigarette smoke, consider investing in a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This type of filter can trap more than 99 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter, which includes many pollutants that can be found in cigarette smoke.
Cigarette smoke filtration really need to smoke inside, make sure that your air conditioner is functioning properly and that the filter is clean.
