Often used as storage space, attics are often hot, musty places in the home. Since we do not tend to spend much time in our attics, ventilation is often neglected, but poor ventilation and air flow in the attic may have consequences for other parts of the house. Proper ventilation in the attic may help regulate temperatures and humidity throughout the rest of the, both of which may have an impact on a house’s general health. How does poor ventilation lead to poor air quality in the rest of the house? Can an air purifier for attics help circulate clean air? Read on to learn more.

Attic air quality concerns

Sources of poor air quality in attics

Attics may cause a host of air quality concerns in a home with a variety of sources of pollution that impact the air quality in the attic and throughout the rest of the home.

Mould and mildew

Condensation problems, such as roof leaks due to rainwater and/or blocked gutters (with leaves and/or other debris), may lead to a build-up of moisture in the attic that causes mould and mildew spread both in the attic itself and to other parts of the house. Mould and mildew spread quickly in attics due to the releasing of airborne spores, creating a problem that may start in the attic and spread elsewhere. When mould and mildew are left to their own devices, they may cause expensive and dangerous structural damage.

Insulation and other types of dust

The presence of exposed insulation in the attic may create airborne dust, contamination of which in other parts of the house may cause serious health consequences. Fibreglass insulation degrades over time, and when it does so, it emits airborne fibres that cause irritation to the skin and lungs when inhaled. Exposure to fibreglass dust fibres may lead to:

• Fibreglass dermatitis (rash)
• Skin and eye irritation
• Stomach pain
• Nose and throat pain
• Pneumoconiosis in the lungs
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Acute eosinophilic pneumonia
• Sarcoidosis-like pulmonary disease^1-3

The accumulation of other types of dust also occurs in attics, aggravating allergy and/or asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Chemical pollution

Gaseous pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are commonplace in attics. Construction materials and products like adhesives and paints, pesticides, new flooring and carpeting, and more all release VOCs like formaldehyde for up to two years after their installation. VOC accumulation in the attic poses health risks, especially when there is insufficient enough ventilation to renew stagnant air.

Source ⁵

Signs of inadequate attic ventilation

A few signs in the home may point towards poor attic ventilation such as:

• Elevated utility bills in the summer season
• Excessive attic temperatures (heat in summer and cold during the winter months)
• Visible moisture or condensation around vent openings and/or on walls
• Mould or mildew growth
• Ice dams in winter
• A musty, damp, stagnant air smell
• Visual structural damage

It is essential to make attic ventilation improvements in order to improve attic air circulation and circulate clean air. This may help avoid structural damage to attic rafters and other parts of the home. It may also help keep airborne contaminants and toxins like VOCs and other harmful gaseous chemicals at manageable levels. Installing roof exhaust attic vents and/or attic fans, closing up exposed insulation, and fixing roof leaks may all help improve attic air quality⁴. It is also highly recommended to combat air pollutants in an attic with an air purifier for attics, ideally one with a HEPA filter.

Benefits of an air purifier for attics and proper attic ventilation

Improved indoor air quality

One of the main purposes of investing in an air purifier in general is to improve indoor air quality and circulate clean air. Installing an air purifier for attics is no exception: a high-quality air purifier may help significantly improve attic air quality and ventilation in a place where windows are often non-existent.

Use an air purifier to prevent your attic from contaminating the rest of your home with dust, particulate matter, and/or biological contaminants that have all accumulated on unused items in the attic. It will also stop mould and mildew growth in their tracks by targeting airborne mould spores. If there is animal (squirrels, insects, bats, mice, etc.) or other pest presence in your attic, an air purifier for attics will filter animal faecal matter particles (like bat guano) before they have a chance to make their way down to other parts of your home. All of these pollutants pose health hazards and may trigger lung infections, allergies, and asthma symptoms.

Additionally, the presence of an air purifier in your attic will help reduce harmful chemical odours.

Lower electricity bills

Excessive temperatures in attics are often due to poor air circulation. An air purifier for attics will help keep attic air moving, avoiding ice dams and the accumulation of warm attic air. This will help lower energy bills by reducing the need for air conditioning and heating brought on by additional energy consumption required as a result of poor attic ventilation.

Factors to consider when choosing an air purifier for attics

When purchasing an air purifier for attics, it is essential to keep certain details in mind. Air purifiers are not one-size-fits-all, so be sure to consider your specific needs.

Consider filtration technologies

It is ideal to choose an air purifier for attics that will combat all types of air pollution with multiple, high-quality air purification technologies. Eoleaf devices, for example, are unique on the market in that they offer 8 different filtration technologies! As a result, they are guaranteed to remove 99.97% of all air pollutants down to a size of 0.01 microns. Some of the technologies that enable our devices to do so are their HEPA filters (certified HEPA H13 which target fine and nanoparticles), activated carbon filters (which remove chemical pollutants like VOCs and unpleasant odours), and photocatalysis, ionisation, and UVC sterilisation technologies.

Consider your attic size

Air purifiers for attics are designed to filter the air in spaces of a maximum size. It helps to know the exact size of your attic’s volume so that you can purchase an air purifier perfectly adapted to your space’s size.

Larger attics will require larger air purifiers, and vice versa for smaller attics. To avoid insufficient air filtration with a device that is sized too small for your space and excessive energy consumption with a device that is sized too large for your space, choose a device that is properly sized. To provide an example, Eoleaf air purifiers for attics are sized as follows:

• AEROPRO 40: built for smaller attics and rooms of 0 to 40 m2
• AEROPRO 100: perfect for medium-sized attics and rooms of 0 to 80 m2
• AEROPRO 150: ideal for larger attics and rooms of 0 to 120 m2

Consider maintenance requirements

All air purifiers have different maintenance requirements, but all require filter replacements. High-quality air purifiers come equipped with filters that last longer. Eoleaf devices require filter changes just once per year, saving you time and money. Filter replacements take less than one minute, can be performed by anyone, and only require the changing of one filter block (which contains all 8 filtration technologies).

Clean the air in your attic with an Eoleaf air purifier

If you have a problem with stagnant air in your attic, an Eoleaf air purifier for attics is there to help bring you fresh, pollutant-free air and safeguard the rest of your home from attic air pollution. Reach out to your team of air pollution experts anytime for assistance in choosing the right device for your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Do air purifiers work effectively in cold or damp attics?

The fibres in air purifier filters are sensitive to extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Humidity levels should not exceed 60% as it will keep your device from filtering the air properly.

How often should I change the filter in an air purifier used in the attic?

This depends upon the model of air purifier that you have in your attic. Eoleaf devices only require filter changes once per year. If you have a high level of air pollution in your attic, you may need to change the filter more often. Feel free to discuss your needs with an Eoleaf representative.

Can air purifiers help control humidity in an attic?

No. Air purifiers do not provide climate control; their purpose is to remove air pollutants and other toxins and irritants from your air. To control humidity, it is recommended to invest in either a humidifier or dehumidifier depending upon your needs.

How long should I run an air purifier in the attic each day?

This depends upon the concentration of pollution in your attic. High-quality air purifiers like Eoleaf’s are designed to be left running on a 24/7 basis with very minimal energy consumption. However, if you prefer to leave it running for shorter periods of time, we recommend leaving it on for a few hours a day.

Do I need a specific size air purifier for larger attics?

Yes, absolutely. An air purifier must be properly sized to your space in order for it to effectively filter the air in your attic. Eoleaf air purifiers are sized as follows:

• AEROPRO 40: 0 to 40 m2
• AEROPRO 100: 0 to 80 m2
• AEROPRO 150: 0 to 120 m2

Resources

¹ Martinez, K. (2020, October 31). Fiberglass in the skin: Symptoms, removal, and risks. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fiberglass-in-skin#will-it-heal-on-its-own

² Gross P, Kaschak M, Tolker EB, Babyak MA, de Treville RT. The pulmonary reaction to high concentrations of fibrous glass dust. A preliminary report. Arch Environ Health. 1970 Jun;20(6):696-704. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1970.10665646. PMID: 5443343.

³ Vahid, B., Awsare, B., & Marik, P. E. (2007). Respiratory disease and fiberglass exposure. Clinical Pulmonary Medicine, 14(5), 296–301. doi:10.1097/cpm.0b013e3181514c6e

⁴ Nichols, L. M. (2024, September 3). How to improve attic ventilation for your home. Family Handyman. https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/attic-ventilation/

⁵ Orentas, G., & Pelchen, L. (2024, March 18). Learn the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/insulation/what-is-fiberglass-insulation/