Does Quality HVAC Air Filters Matter for Your Health and Home?

Installing a good quality air filter in your oven or air conditioner is essential to your health and home. An air filter not only increases indoor air quality, but it also prevents damage to your electronics, furniture, and the structure of your home. With any filter, make sure to check the MERV rating. MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Report Value, tells you how well a filter can capture contaminants.

The medium efficiency MERV filters in the 8 to 13 range of the type we would get can eliminate 90 percent or more of these. Not only do you save money on repairs with a quality air filter, but you also save money on energy costs. These HVAC air filters capture approximately 35 percent of all indoor air pollutants between 3 and 10 microns. But what if your oven's air cleaner compartment is only 3 thick? In that case, the 1-inch oven filter is the better choice than the 4-inch filter, however, a 3-inch thick air filter is the better choice.

Not only can home air filtration be a matter of life and death for those suffering from a multitude of respiratory conditions, but even those who consider themselves normal and healthy can benefit from cleaner, dust-free and allergen-free air. These dimensions of HVAC air filters are expressed as L x W x H and are printed directly on the housing and on the air filter itself. Using HVAC air filters that are too strong for the home results in higher energy expenditure, airflow resistance, and less heating and air conditioning. Some washable filters aren't much better, but high-end permanent filters can compete with the very common disposable pleated filters, which are available in a range, even reaching MERV 12 or higher.

In other words, HVAC air filters must be strong enough to capture the type and size of particles that litter the air in your home. HVAC air filters with a MERV rating between 9 and 12 capture particles between 1.0 and 3.0 microns. Whether you opt for fiberglass or decide to opt for pleating, the most important thing you can do is change filters often. For more information on how to keep indoor air fresh and clean, and to learn more about how to keep your HVAC system running efficiently, call TR Miller at (630) 357-4373 or visit their website. Service Champions is Southern California's best residential plumbing, heating & air conditioning company.