Essential Oil Trends: Using Them on Air Filters

If you’re like most Coastal Bend homeowners, you keep your house closed up to minimize energy waste, which traps all sorts of odors inside. If you want to combat stale, smelly indoor air without resorting to chemical-laden air freshener products like sprays and candles, there’s a healthier alternative that’s trending: Using essential oils on your HVAC air filter.

Freshening Your Air With Essential Oil Offers Distinct Benefits

Compared to the chemical compounds that make up most home air fresheners, essential oils are the natural, aromatic extracts of different types of plant bark, stems, seeds and leaves. In addition to their wonderful scent, many essential oils also have beneficial properties, such as:

• Lavender and tea tree oil are disinfectants that also eradicate dust mites.
• Eucalyptus, rosemary and cypress prevent bacterial growth.
• Lemon, thyme and cinnamon help limit the spread of viruses.
• Sandalwood and sage are effective against mold growth.
• Oregano, clove and bergamot are natural antibiotics.

How to Put Essential Oil on Your Air Filter

Adding an essential oil to your air filter is a quick and easy task:

• Start with a fresh, clean filter that’s the correct size and MERV rating for your HVAC system. If you’re unsure about choosing a filter, follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual, or get the advice of your HVAC pro.

• Choose a single essential oil, or mix a combination of oils to get a custom scent and more beneficial properties.
• Install the air filter in your HVAC unit with the arrows pointing toward the path of return airflow. Once the filter is in place, the fragrance of the oil will get sent out through your home’s ductwork every time the blower cycles on to distribute conditioned air.
• When you notice that the scent starts to wane after about 30 days, check your air filter. If it looks clean, simply add more drops of oil and put it back in place. If there’s visible debris accumulation, repeat the process with a fresh filter.

To learn about ways to improve indoor air quality, like using essential oils on your air filter, contact us at CCAC.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.