You want to make a difference in the air your family is breathing, but you’re not sure whether your air filter is actually doing its job. We totally understand because your family’s health is a priority.
First off, you need to decide what MERV rating fits your family’s needs. The range of a filter’s effectiveness at removing allergens and other particles is determined according to a number system. Filters with a lower number are typically inexpensive, but they aren’t as effective at removing smaller particles. The higher the MERV rating, then the smaller the particles the air filter is able to remove.
According to an article by the University of Illinois Extension, “some filters remove large, heavy particles from the air but allow smaller particles to flow through.” Therefore, it’s important to understand whether your air filter is able to remove both large and small particles or is mainly intended to remove large particles. Check out the graphic below to see what types of particles are removed by air filters:
There are a variety of filter types available to fit your lifestyle. Some of the typical allergens people suffer from are dust, animal dander, mold spore, pollen and smoke. There are a variety of others, but this give you an idea of what type of filter you need in order to effectively rid your indoor air of the above mentioned allergens. The easiest way to help minimize the amount of allergens in your home is make sure you change your air filter on a regular basis. If you don’t change your air filter, then you even be worsening your allergies.
Filters with a MERV rating of 9 or higher are better for individuals who suffer from allergies. These types of filters are able to effectively remove those pesky irritants that can make you so miserable. We sell a wide range of furnace filters and many have a high MERV rating. Allergy sufferers may want to look into getting an electronic air cleaner since it is able to remove the most particles from your air. We’ve broken down the filtering capabilities of filters based on their ability to remove sub-microns (i.e. dust and animal dander).
What type of furnace filters do you use to minimize the presence of allergens in your home? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!
