Do you wonder about the cleanliness of the air your family breathes every day? Indoor air quality is of the utmost concern to many homeowners, especially those with compromised immune systems, allergies, and asthma sufferers. An air filter in your HVAC system filters out particulates that may lead to such problems, but there are many types of air cleaners available on the market today. How do you decide which one is best?
Look at the MERV Rating
One of the ways to tell if you have a quality air filter installed is by checking the MERV rating. The MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) is the system used to indicate the effectiveness of a mechanical filter, like the ones included in your HVAC system. If you use the standard filter that came with your unit, it may be in the low range of filters, with a MERV of around 1-4. But if you choose a filter with a MERV closer to 12-16, you’ll filter out additional particles that a less effective filter may have missed like mold spores and some chemical residue.
HEPA Filters
If you’ve done a lot of research on the topic, you may have seen information about HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, the most effective type of filters, removing 99.97% of particulate contaminants from the air. However, it’s important to note that, for most homeowners, a HEPA filter is actually not the best choice. These filters remove a large amount of contaminants because the fibers are wound so tightly together, which can also inhibit airflow. An HVAC system needs a certain amount of airflow to cool or heat a home, but a filter that is too thick may prevent this, causing your HVAC system to become overworked and possibly to break down.
Ask a Professional
Your professional indoor air quality technician is the person who can best choose the right type of filtration system for your home. Sometimes, a regular filter isn’t enough to keep pollutants out of your home. You may need to install a dehumidifier to prevent mold, or UV germicidal lights to kill bacteria and viruses living in the ducts as a supplementary precaution against air pollutants.
Call the indoor air quality experts at DB Heating & Cooling to find out about all of your options for air cleaners in Hillsdale.