Hay Fever at Home? Choose a More Effective Pollen Filter for Your Ventilation Unit
1. Hay Fever Is Becoming More Common in Europe
Nearly one in four Europeans experiences hay fever symptoms. Across Europe, the number of people affected by pollen allergies continues to grow every year as pollen levels increase and allergy sensitivity becomes more widespread.
Hay fever is caused by airborne pollen that enters the respiratory system and can trigger various allergic reactions, including:
- sneezing
- runny nose
- itchy or watery eyes
- respiratory irritation
- fatigue
The biggest challenge is that pollen does not only affect people outdoors. It can easily enter homes and indoor spaces as well. A significant amount of pollen may enter through a ventilation system if the ventilation unit is equipped with insufficient or low-efficiency filters.
✅ For people with allergies, it is especially important to choose an effective pollen filter for the ventilation unit that helps reduce pollen and other airborne allergens indoors.
2. Which Pollen Types Most Commonly Cause Allergies in Europe
Across Europe, allergic reactions are often triggered by pollen from many different plants and trees. Some of the most common allergy-causing pollen types include:
- birch (Betula)
- mugwort (Artemisia)
- hazel (Corylus)
- alder (Alnus)
- hornbeam (Carpinus)
- ash (Fraxinus)
- oak (Quercus)
- willow (Salix)
- ragweed (Ambrosia)
Allergies are also frequently triggered by pollen from plants belonging to the grass family (Poaceae) and cypress family (Cupressaceae).
Pollen concentration in the air depends on several environmental factors, including:
- temperature
- rainfall
- wind direction
- plant flowering intensity
Strong winds can sometimes carry pollen long distances across Europe. This means pollen from other regions or countries can still reach your area, even if certain plants have already finished flowering locally.
Pollen Season in Europe
Approximate flowering periods of the most common allergy-causing plants across Europe. Pollen season usually starts in early spring and can last until autumn depending on the region.
⚙️ Flowering periods may vary depending on weather conditions, temperature, and wind patterns across different European regions.
3. Where to Check Pollen Levels in Europe
If you suffer from hay fever or pollen allergies, it is helpful to monitor daily pollen levels. Several specialised websites and apps provide pollen forecasts across Europe, helping allergy sufferers prepare for periods of high pollen concentration.
Reliable pollen monitoring sources include:
- PASYFO – European pollen and allergy symptom forecast
- Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service
- Meteoblue pollen forecast
- weather apps on your smartphone
These pollen forecasts allow you to see:
- current pollen concentration levels
- which plants are currently releasing pollen
- when peak pollen levels are expected
During peak pollen periods, people are often advised to limit time spent outdoors. As a result, many allergy sufferers spend more time indoors.
⚙️ This is why it becomes especially important that indoor air is filtered effectively with a high-quality pollen filter for your ventilation unit.
4. Pollen Particle Size – Why It Is Relatively Easy to Filter
Pollen particles typically measure around 15–50 microns (µm). These are relatively large airborne particles, which means they can be effectively captured using the right pollen filter for a ventilation unit.
| Particle | Size | Visual comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Human hair | ~70 µm | |
| Pollen | 15–50 µm | |
| PM10 particles | <10 µm | |
| PM2.5 particles | <2.5 µm | |
| PM1 particles | <1 µm |
This means that pollen particles are relatively large. As a result, a properly selected ventilation pollen filter can capture them very efficiently and help reduce allergens entering your home during the pollen season.
5. Protection Against Pollen by Filter Class
Ventilation unit filters are classified according to their filtration efficiency. The higher the filter class, the more airborne particles it can capture. Choosing the right pollen filter for your ventilation system can significantly reduce the amount of pollen entering your home during the pollen season.
G4 (Coarse)
This filter class captures larger dust particles and part of the airborne pollen. However, it usually does not provide full protection against pollen allergies.
Important to know:
- Coarse 60% filters allow more pollen to pass through
- Coarse 90% filters can capture a significantly larger share of pollen particles
However, for people suffering from hay fever or pollen allergies, this class is usually not sufficient.
M5 (ePM10)
This filter class provides good protection against pollen particles.
M5 filters can capture approximately 95–98% of pollen particles, which is why they are often used as the main supply air filter in residential ventilation units.
F7 (ePM1)
This is one of the most effective filter classes used in residential ventilation systems.
F7 filters can capture around 98–99% of pollen particles, which is why they are often referred to as:
- allergy filters
- pollen filters
- filters for allergy sufferers
6. The Myth About Carbon Filters
It is sometimes believed that activated carbon filters provide better protection against pollen. However, this is a common misconception.
Activated carbon filters are designed for a different purpose. They are mainly used to:
- remove unpleasant odours
- adsorb chemical compounds (VOCs)
- reduce gaseous pollutants
Since pollen consists of relatively large solid particles, their removal mainly depends on the mechanical filtration layer of the filter.
⚙️ For this reason, an activated carbon filter does not provide better protection against pollen than a properly selected F7 (ePM1) ventilation pollen filter.
7. Which Ventilation Units Use Pollen Filters
Most modern ventilation units already use M5 or F7 class filters as standard. These filters provide effective protection against airborne pollen and help maintain healthier indoor air during the pollen season.
Such filters are commonly used in ventilation units from manufacturers such as:
Komfovent, Oxygen, Ensy, Systemair, Östberg, Flexit, Swegon, Vallox
In some ventilation unit models, higher efficiency filters may be available as an optional upgrade:
Brink, Wolf, Zehnder, Paul, Salda, Brofer, Holtop, Mitsubishi
In some units the filter selection may be more limited, for example:
Vent-Axia (some models), Electrolux, certain Holtop or Weber units
In such cases, an external filter box can be installed to allow the use of higher-efficiency pollen filters for improved indoor air filtration.
Zehnder ComfoAir Q 350/450/600 F7+G4 Filter set (Efficient)
Ex VAT: 16.07 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Zehnder |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions | 500x159x22 |
| Class EN779 | F7+G4 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 65% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
|
| Manufacturer product number |
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| Remarks | ⚠️ Remarks: ComfoAir ≠ ComfoAir Q. Different dimensions, not interchangeable. Check your ventilation unit model/version before ordering. |
Domekt R 450 V C6M F7+M5 Filter set (Efficient) 517x278x46 mm
Ex VAT: 25.04 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Komfovent |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit | Domekt R 450 V C6M |
| Filter dimensions | 517x278x46 |
| Class EN779 | F7+M5 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
|
| Manufacturer product number |
|
| Remarks |
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Brink Flair 325/400 1xF7 Filter (Smog&Pollen)
Ex VAT: 19.94 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Brink |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions | 245x510x22 |
| Class EN779 | F7 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 1 |
| Advantages |
|
| Manufacturer product number |
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| Remarks | ℹ️ This is a supply air filter. For extract air filtration, please order a separate G4/M5 filter (available in our shop). |
Oxygen X-Air C180,C200,C250 / Easy C150,C200,C250 F7+M5 Filter set...
Ex VAT: 16.27 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Oxygen |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions | 205x205x46 |
| Class EN779 | F7+M5 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
|
| Remarks |
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FLEXIT Nordic S2/S3 F7+F7 Filter set (Efficient)
Ex VAT: 12.36 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Flexit |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions | 166x272x48 |
| Class EN779 | F7+F7 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
|
| Manufacturer product number |
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SAVE VTR 300 / 350 (2020+,PF) F7+M5 Filter set (Efficient)
Ex VAT: 20.66 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Systemair |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions |
|
| Class EN779 | F7+M5 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
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| Manufacturer product number |
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| Remarks | ℹ️ Dimensions are provided according to the Systemair standard (with gasket). Actual filter dimensions without the gasket may differ slightly. The filter is matched to your unit model. |
ENSY AHU 300 Ceiling F7+F7 Filter set (Efficient) 140×240×94 mm
Ex VAT: 13.60 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | ENSY |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions | 140x240x94 |
| Class EN779 | F7+F7 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
|
| Manufacturer product number | 1460-860 |
| Remarks | ⚠️ Suitable only for the ceiling-mounted (Himling) version. Before ordering, check the name and filter dimensions. |
Paul Climos 200 F7+G4 Filter set (Efficient)
Ex VAT: 15.45 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Paul |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions | 168x174x45 |
| Class EN779 | F7+G4 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
|
| Manufacturer product number | 527004280 |
Smarty 3XV / 4XV F7+G4 Filter set (Efficient)
Ex VAT: 16.83 €
| Manufacturer of MVHR | Salda |
| Manufacturer | CleanFilter |
| Air handling unit |
|
| Filter dimensions |
|
| Class EN779 | F7+G4 |
| Class ISO16890 | ePM1 70% |
| Protection level | High: fine particles, dust, pollen, mold spores, combustion particles, smog particles, insecticide dust. |
| Quantity of filters | 2 |
| Advantages |
|
Conclusion: How to Reduce Pollen Exposure at Home
If you suffer from hay fever or pollen allergies, it is important to monitor the pollen season and prepare in advance. Follow general pollen season calendars and track daily pollen levels using specialised websites or mobile apps available across Europe.
During periods of high pollen concentration it is recommended to:
- limit time spent outdoors if possible
- spend more time indoors where the air is filtered
- replace ventilation unit filters before the pollen season starts
For better protection, it is recommended to use at least M5 (ePM10) class filters, while F7 (ePM1) filters provide the most effective protection against pollen and other airborne allergens in residential ventilation systems.
It is also important to ensure that the filters are certified and supported by laboratory test data. Only properly tested filters can guarantee the declared filtration efficiency and provide reliable protection against pollen.
Why Choose CleanFilter Pollen Filters
CleanFilter products are designed to provide effective protection against pollen and other airborne allergens in indoor air. High-quality filtration helps reduce allergens entering your home through the ventilation system during the pollen season.
Laboratory-tested filtration efficiency
Filtration performance tested in the FIATEC laboratory in Germany.
German filtration media
High-quality three-layer filtration material is used for improved particle capture.
Sealed filter construction
Reduces the risk of air or allergens bypassing the filter through gaps.
Fewer allergens indoors
Helps reduce pollen and other airborne allergens inside your home.
Find the right pollen filter for your ventilation unit here:
Browse ventilation unit filters
You can select filters based on:
- your ventilation unit model
- filter class
- required filtration level
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pollen particles are relatively large, which means M5 or F7 class filters can capture them very effectively and help reduce allergens indoors.
F7 (ePM1) class filters are usually recommended because they capture most pollen particles and other airborne allergens.
It is generally recommended to replace filters every 4–6 months. Installing new filters before the pollen season starts can help maintain better indoor air quality.
No. Activated carbon filters are designed mainly to remove odours and gaseous pollutants, so they do not improve pollen filtration performance.
Yes, but it depends on the filter class used. Ventilation units equipped with M5 or F7 filters can significantly reduce the amount of pollen entering indoor spaces.
Yes. F7 (ePM1) filters can capture approximately 98–99% of pollen particles, which is why they are often recommended for people suffering from pollen allergies.