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When to Recommend Whole-House HEPA Filtration
A Guide for Builders and HVAC Pros Striving for Good IAQ | Reading time: 3 min
Comfort
As allergy season ramps up, homeowners are becoming more aware of what’s circulating in their indoor air and they’re looking to contractors and builders for answers. Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores can all contribute to indoor air quality (IAQ) complaints, particularly in homes with tighter building envelopes.
One of the most effective ways to address these concerns is with whole-house HEPA filtration, a system that works in tandem with forced-air HVAC to remove airborne contaminants throughout the home.
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Why Filtration Matters in Today’s Homes
Modern homes are more energy efficient than ever before, thanks to improved insulation, better windows, and tighter construction. While this is a win for utility bills, it also means that indoor pollutants get trapped and recirculated unless there’s a deliberate strategy in place for ventilation and filtration.
According to the EPA, indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, and sometimes as much as 100 times more1.
Common pollutants include:
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Pollen and allergens
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Dust mites
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Pet dander
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Wildfire smoke
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Cooking fumes
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VOCs from cleaning products or new materials
For clients with allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities, these pollutants can significantly impact comfort and health.
What Is Whole-House HEPA Filtration?
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are designed to capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns 2. Whole-house HEPA systems typically include two stages of filtration:
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Pre-filter with activated carbon
Captures larger particles like dust, lint, and pet hair
Removes odors from cooking, smoke, and VOCs
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True, certified HEPA filter
Traps smaller particles including pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and fine dust
The result? A home with significantly cleaner, fresher air moving through every room, not just localized purification in one space.
When Should Contractors Recommend HEPA Filtration?
Whole-house HEPA systems make the most sense in homes where:
Occupants have allergies, asthma, or respiratory sensitivities
Pets are present, contributing to dander and hair
The home is tightly sealed for energy efficiency
There’s concern about wildfire smoke or urban pollution
New materials or finishes are off-gassing VOCs
The HVAC system runs frequently and circulates air year-round
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Installation Tips for Builders and HVAC Pros
When integrating a whole-house HEPA system:
Ensure proper airflow design to avoid restrictions
Use systems with internal bypass fans when possible
Encourage clients to run their HVAC fan continuously for best results
Include filtration in new home packages or high-performance remodels
HEPA filtration systems are flexible enough to fit a variety of home layouts and HVAC designs. Common approaches include mounting directly on the supply duct, using a collar-mounted bypass loop, or pairing the system with an HRV or ERV in a mechanical room. In each case, a built-in fan helps maintain consistent airflow without adding static pressure, which is crucial when working with dense, high-efficiency filters.
Routine maintenance is simple: most systems require a carbon filter change every 3–6 months and a HEPA filter change once a year, depending on use and environment.
How Pros Are Using HEPA Filtration in the Field
Builders and HVAC contractors are increasingly incorporating whole-house HEPA systems into high-performance and retrofit projects where IAQ plays a critical role.
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In a certified Passive House retrofit, the project team integrated HEPA-level filtration with a balanced ventilation system to meet rigorous IAQ and comfort standards. With ultra-tight construction, filtration became essential and not just for occupant health, but for long-term system performance and certification compliance. (Sammon Passive House)
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In a heritage retrofit targeting net-zero energy, HEPA filtration helped address airborne particulates and off-gassing from new materials while maintaining the project's energy goals. Combined with efficient ventilation, the system ensured better air quality across all residential units. (32 Mill Street Net-Zero Energy Retrofit)
Supporting Healthier Homes All Year Long
As client awareness grows around IAQ, HVAC contractors and builders are in a unique position to lead the conversation. Whole-house HEPA filtration offers a practical, high-impact solution, especially during allergy season, without compromising on comfort or efficiency.
By understanding when and how to recommend these systems, pros can not only improve homeowner satisfaction but also differentiate their offerings in a competitive market.
Sources
Sources:
EPA. “Introduction to Indoor Air Quality.” https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality
EPA. “What is a HEPA Filter?” https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter#:~:text=This%20type%20of%20air%20filter,penetrating%20particle%20size%20(MPPS)
Learn more about the HERO HS300:
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The whole-house HEPA Filtration System HERO HS300 provides full-spectrum air cleaning by removing 99.97% of particles of 0.3 microns and larger from the air circulating within the home.
The HERO HS300 offers two-stage filtration—a carbon pre-filter and a HEPA filter—that together remove pollutants, allergens, odors, viruses, and more.
The pre-filter with carbon will collect up to 90% of particles between 3-10 microns in size, such as pollen, dust, lint, dust mites, and pet dander; the activated carbon also filters out odor-causing particles from the air, such as cooking smells and smoke.
The HEPA filter arrests up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, such as bacteria, legionella, combustion smoke, milled flour, and mold spores.
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The HERO HS300 is designed for installation directly onto the return air plenum of the forced air heating/cooling system; if this type of installation is used, homeowners should run the fan on the forced-air HVAC system continuously to maximize the cleaning effect.
The built-in fan and bypass technology on the HS300 ensures that this installation method does not restrict the HVAC system’s airflow. Up to 300 cfm of air is drawn from the return air duct, filtered, and returned upstream.
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Alternatively, for homes with limited space around the furnace, the unit can be installed using 8-inch round collars for mounting with ductwork. Each system comes with two 8-inch round collars, two mounting brackets, installation guide, and fasteners.
From cooking fumes and cleaning chemicals to pet dander and viruses, the air inside the home is incredibly unhealthy, particularly as the building envelope gets tighter and more energy efficient,
Regional Business Development Director - North America
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As homeowners continue to grasp the importance of healthier indoor air, mechanical filtration is both an ideal and necessary solution. The HERO HS300 provides builders and remodelers with a versatile, dependable option for whole-house HEPA filtration to remove pollutants and improve indoor air quality.
The HERO HS300 has a fully insulated cabinet for quieter operation and offers variable speeds of 200 cfm and 300 cfm. Under normal usage, the carbon filter only needs to be changed every three to six months and the HEPA filter just once a year.
The HERO HS300 is suitable for existing and new homes of up to 3,000 square feet.
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HERO HS300
For more information, visit the HERO HS300 product page.
HERO® HS300 HEPA System Install Video
Go to our YouTube channel to watch a pro install of our HERO HS300 HEPA System.
Find Filtration Solutions
Learn more about Fantech filtration solutions in homes and view our product line of HEPA filtration appliances.
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