With the right HVAC air filter, you can protect yourself and your family from allergies. This article will discuss the role of HVAC air filters in preventing allergies and various respiratory diseases.
HVAC Air Filter & Allergy: Know the Facts
1. For Allergy Prevention, You Need Special Air Filters
As we all know, the primary purpose of an HVAC air filter is to protect the heating and cooling parts from dust, debris, and other unwanted particles. But unfortunately, many people think that a regular air filter can keep the air free from microparticles and pollens. In reality, it’s far from the truth.
Only a few particular types of air conditioner filters can block microparticles and microorganisms. If you install a regular air filter in your heating and cooling unit, it won’t be able to block allergens and pollens from entering your space. As a result, you might still have frequent sneezing and allergy problems despite using regular air filters.
If you want to protect your space from allergens and microorganisms, you’ll have to install a high-rated HEPA or MERV air filter in your heating and cooling system. However, if your HVAC system is relatively old, these air filters may not be compatible with it. That’s why before installing such air filters in your HVAC system, consult with an HVAC professional.
2. Not All HEPA or MERV Air Filters are the Same
HEPA or MERV air filters are rated based on their capabilities of blocking microparticles. Usually, the MERV air filter ranges from 1 to 20. If you buy a MERV air filter that has a rating of 5, it won’t be as efficient as MERV 16 air filters.
To protect your space from allergens and microorganisms, it’s recommended to use an air filter with at least a MERV rating of 17. However, as I mentioned earlier, you’ll have to consider your HVAC system’s compatibility and type. Some HVAC systems aren’t compatible with high-rated air filters, and if you install a high-rated air filter in the unit, it’ll do more harm than good.
Again, high-rated air filters cost more than regular ones. But it’s still worth investing in a high-rated air filter, especially when you have allergy problems.
3. High-Rated Air Filters Need Frequent Replacement
When you use regular HVAC air filters, you must change them every two or three months. Again, it can vary depending on the location you live. But when you use a high-rated HEPA or MERV air filter, you’ll have to replace it almost every month.
As HEPA or MERV air filters block all sorts of particles, including bacteria, pollen, allergens, dust, etc., it gets dirty quickly compared to regular air filters. Besides, if you live in a city or near industrialized areas, you may have to replace your high-rated air filters even more frequently, which means you’ll have to spend extra money each month on air filter replacement.
It’s recommended to consult nearby heating and cooling professional to know about the exact air filter replacement time.
4. High-Rated Air Filter Alone Cannot Protect You from Allergens
Yes, high-rated air filters will block all sorts of particles from entering your home, but this is not the whole story.
You’ll have to focus on cleaning the other parts of your heating and cooling unit as well. For example, HVAC ducts and vents carry the air produced by your HVAC unit and keep within your comfort zone. However, if you fail to clean air ducts regularly, unwanted accumulation will give make your indoor space unhealthy. Besides, due to humidity problems, molds can start to grow inside the ducts. But molds and other contaminants in the air duct will trigger your allergy symptoms and make you sick. That’s why you must do regular air conditioning maintenance checkups and cleaning to protect yourself from allergens.
Green Leaf Air provides the best HVAC maintenance service in Dallas, TX. Our HVAC technicians are well equipped and has years of experienced. They know how to handle any HVAC unit in any condition. You can trust in our air duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance and repair service.
Conclusion
If you want complete allergy protection in your home, you’ll have to install a high-rated air filter, do regular HVAC maintenance checkups and air duct cleaning. Besides, you should have an HVAC maintenance plan as well. This will allow you to run your HVAC unit longer and ensure higher indoor air quality.
See the summary of this article here in an infographic – HVAC Air Filter & Allergy Prevention [Infographic]
