Using Essential Oils in Your Air Filter

As Americans, we spend roughly 90 percent of our lives inside. It makes sense then to make our time indoors as comfortable as possible, both at work and at home. Having the right temperature setting creates comfort. Likewise, ventilation is an important part of staying well inside, especially for those suffering from allergies. One thing you can do to improve indoor air is by adding essential oils to your air filter.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are plant-based compounds. Extracting these oils from various plants allows people to take advantage of their calming and healing properties. Producing these oils requires either distillation using water or steam or cold pressing the plant to extract the oils. 

Many people prefer these natural scents to air fresheners which use chemicals to create artificial scents. On the contrary, essential oils are a safe, natural product obtained from stems, seeds, bark, and leaves of plants.

9 Common Essential Oils

Here is a list of some of the more common essential oils people add to their air filters.

1. Bergamot Oil

Bergamot is a citrus fruit. Its oil contains antibiotic properties that help relieve pain and reduce stress as well as inflammation, stress, and cholesterol.

2. Cinnamon Oil

Cinnamon oil extracted from the bark of trees aids aromatherapy and helps prevent bacterial growth.

3. Clove Oil

Clove oil comes from flower buds. This oil helps relieve respiratory problems such as asthma. It’s also used to relieve muscle aches and aids with some digestive ailments.

4. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil comes from the tree of the same name and prevents bacterial growth when adding as an essential oil to your air filter. It also works as a natural house cleaner as well as a mosquito repellent.

5. Lavender Oil

Lavender is a flowering plant whose oil produces a calming effect. It helps reduce stress and is also a natural cleaner, deodorizer, and bug repellent.

6.  Oregano Oil

Oregano also comes from a flowering plant. It has antibiotic properties the prevent bacterial growth. Using this essential oil in your air filter also works as an antioxidant.

7. Sage Oil

Sage oil comes from the sage plant which is a type of shrub. It prevents the spread of viruses and mold. Some people also use it as an anti-inflammatory aid.

8. Sandalwood Oil

Sandalwood oil fights bacteria and viruses and is also helps with anxiety and healing wounds.

9. Thyme Oil

Thyme is an herb whose oil possesses antifungal and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Try adding essential oil to your air filter.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Your Air Filter

The obvious benefit of adding essential oils to your air filter is to improve indoor air quality. This is in addition to the specific benefits of the oil you choose. Using oils also reduces your carbon footprint. By adding these oils to an HVAC air filter, for example, you create a new function in something you already use every day. This cuts down on waste which is better for the environment.

Using Essential Oils in an Air Purifiers

Using essential oils in the filters of air purifiers can damage the device, so be sure to read the instructions first. If you have an oil diffuser or are considering buying one, there are several models available. 

Types of Oil Diffusers

Evaporative Diffusers — uses a fan that causes the oil to evaporate into the air. 

Heat Diffusers — uses heat to change the oil into a gas. The lack of a fan also allows the device to run silently.

Nebulizing Diffusers — uses pressurized air to create a mist from the oil. Requires neither water nor heat to use.

Ultrasonic Diffusers — uses ultrasonic vibrations to break down the oil which is then diluted with water. These devices add water to the air so they act as a humidifier diffuser as well.

How To Add Essential Oils to Your Air Filter?

To add essential oil to your HVAC air filter first, buy a new air filter with the proper MERV rating for your system. Choose oil according to the effect you wish to create. For example, choose lavender or bergamot oil to reduce stress. Use sage or oregano to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Use an eyedropper to add 15 to 20 drops of oil to the filter. Spread them out evenly across the surface. The scent will eventually dissipate over about 30 days. This should also coincide with the changing of the filter.

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