Pets. We love ‘em. They keep us company, make us laugh, and, sometimes, if we have pet allergies, they make us sneeze. Runny nose, itchy eyes, unstoppable sneezes—we shouldn’t have to choose between our pets and relief. Luckily, with the right air filter, we don’t have to.
Most people with pet allergies are not allergic to their dog or their cat or their fur. Instead, they’re allergic to pet dander—tiny flecks of skin that our pets shed naturally. Pet dander is small—really small—so small it’s measured in microns, which are only 1 millionth of a meter. Most pet dander is 2.5 to 10 microns in diameter. These tiny bits of skin float in the air, take a long time to settle on our furniture, and, often, make it to our nose. Then, it’s tissue time.
But the right air filter can make the tissues unnecessary. Home air filters are designed to exacting standards to filter particles in the air by size. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating (or MERV rating) tells you what size particle the air filter is designed to block. A new air filter can capture extremely small particles, from 0.3 to 10 microns. If an air filter has a higher MERV rating, it can filter smaller particles.
A MERV 11 air filter is great for screening pet dander, because a MERV 11 filter blocks particles 1 micron to 3 microns in diameter. Most pet dander is larger than 1 micron. Of course, air filters need to be replaced regularly because trapped particles reduce the filter’s effectiveness. Homes with many pets will have to replace air filters more often. If pet allergies are a concern for you, then a MERV 11 air filter is the right filter for you.
Because MERV-rated air filters are so good at blocking small particles, they work well in other applications, too.
- MERV 1 through 4 filters are great for residential air conditioning units. They can reduce larger particles like lint and dust.
- Better homes, commercial locations, and industrial work-spaces use MERV 5 through 8 filters, which can reduce allergens from mold spores, dust mite debris, pollen, pet dander and odors.
- Superior residences, better commercial locations, and hospitals often use MERV 9 through 12 air filters. They help reduce dust, pollen, mold spores, smog, lint, odors and pet dander.
- Hospitals use MERV 13 through 16 filters, which reduce dust, lint, smog, pollen, pet dander, dust mite, odors, bacteria and tobacco smoke.
Discount filters provides many MERV rated filters. Whether you’re trying to keep your sneezing to a minimum while loving your pet or you have some other filtration need, one of our discount air filters will be your ideal filter.
