Most allergy sufferers associate cold weather with having one positive: the end of outdoor allergy challenges. However, many of those who suffer from outdoor allergies also suffer from indoor allergies like dust and pet dander, and from this, there is no respite just because the weather changes. But there can be significant relief when you continue to use, or upgrade for the first time to, an air filter that can trap the indoor particles causing you agitation. Not sure what kind of air filter will be best for your home in Wyckoff, NJ? Let the indoor air quality experts from DB Heating & Cooling, Inc., help you out.
Check the MERV Rating
One of the best ways to assess how well a certain kind of filter will work for you in alleviating your allergy symptoms is to check the filter’s MERV rating. This rating is a scale that runs from 1 to 20. However, residential HVAC systems should not use an air filter that has a MERV rating higher than 12. This is because air filters that are rated 13 and higher are HEPA filters, and these filters are so strong they can restrict the air flow in your HVAC system, causing systemic problems.
Why isn’t the standard air filter enough? Because this standard air filter, the one that comes with your HVAC system, has a MERV rating from 1-4. Its job isn’t to improve the quality of your indoor air, it is to protect your HVAC system from large particles of dust and dirt as well as small pieces of debris. For true allergy relief, it is best to use an air filter rated somewhere between MERV 5 and MERV 12, and our indoor air quality specialist can help you determine which one will be best for you. Call us today!