If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, then you know how important it is to find ways to deal with your symptoms. Your Springfield, MO, residence should be an escape from the pollen and pollution that is outside. Unfortunately, many homes experience indoor air quality that is worse than what’s outside. Your furnace can help remove some of the particulate matter present in your indoor air. Make sure you choose the right filter for your furnace using these tips.

Consider Surface Area

There are furnace filters that have a flat surface and others that have a pleated design. A pleated furnace filter has a greater surface area, allowing more particulates to become trapped. While you may be tempted to purchase the most affordable filter you can find, consider upgrading to something that will help improve your indoor air quality. Pleated filters are optimal for allergy sufferers.

Consider the Material of Your Filter

Furnace filters can be made from a variety of materials. This includes fiberglass, cotton, paper, and activated carbon. The filter material you choose should take into consideration what your home’s main contaminants are. For example, volatile organic compounds are chemicals that off gas from cleaning products, flooring material, paint, and more. You can’t use traditional filtration to remove these VOCs. However, you can utilize activated carbon to absorb these chemicals. Activated carbon also helps reduce odors in the home.

Minimum-Efficiency Reporting Value

Filters are usually given a minimum-efficiency reporting value rating, or MERV for short. This rating indicates how effective a filter is at removing particulate matter from the air passing through it. The higher the MERV rating that a filter has, the more effective it is. However, high ratings usually indicate that a filter is restrictive. Not all furnaces can handle this impact. Make sure you refer to your furnace’s owner’s manual to determine what MERV rating you should look for. Our team can also help you choose the best filter option. In general, a residential furnace can usually handle a filter that is rated between 8 and 12 MERV. Anything over that rating will cause strain to your HVAC equipment.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters

High-efficiency particulate air filters, HEPA for short, can remove as much as 99.97% of the particulates in your indoor air. This includes viruses and bacteria as well. Some furnaces are not able to handle the restriction imposed by HEPA filters, so this is another instance where you’ll want to look into what your furnace can handle.

If your furnace can’t utilize a HEPA filter, consider using a whole-house air purification system. This is additional equipment installed onto your HVAC system that will remove particulate matter from your indoor air as it passes through your heating and cooling equipment. These filtration units can handle much more air restriction than your furnace can. They usually do a better job of filtering your indoor air as well. You may be familiar with the portable purifiers that can move from one area of your residence to another. While they are convenient, they don’t do a great job of filtering all of the air in your home.

Choose the Right Size Filter

Filter size will vary based on the type of furnace you have. Make sure you choose a filter size that is appropriate for your unit. If you have a filter that is too small, air will be able to pass by around the filter. This increases the prevalence of particulates in your indoor air. A filter that is too large can become damaged while being forced into its housing. Dents and damage to the filter will allow particulates to pass through as well.

Washable Filters

Some people choose to use a washable filter for their furnace. While this is an affordable option that eliminates the need for periodically purchasing filters, it’s not necessarily the best choice for allergy sufferers. Some people feel that their washable filter doesn’t get completely clean, regardless of how much they wash it. If you’re prone to pesky allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and a scratchy throat, it may be best to replace your filter entirely.

The Frequency of Filter Changes

Your furnace filter should be changed once every 30 to 90 days approximately. The time frame depends on the type of filter you use but also on certain factors involving your home. If you have pets, more frequent filter changes may be necessary for the removal of pet dander and fur. If you allow people to smoke in your home, more frequent filter changes are ideal. You should consider using activated carbon filtration to remove the toxins associated with cigarette smoke.

If it’s spring or summer in Springfield, pollen levels may be very high. This is a time of year when you’re prone to closing your windows and doors and heading inside for relief. You’ll want to ensure your filter is clean to promote optimal indoor air quality.

If you’ve recently had construction work done in your home, this process can result in a lot of dust and particulate matter circulating through your air and HVAC system. Change your filter once the work is done. You may want to consider having your ducts cleaned as well, depending on the extent of the work.

Duct Cleaning

Professional duct cleaning should be done once every three to five years. This process involves cleaning debris and particulate matter from the inside of your ductwork. This protects the integrity of your ducts, protects your heating and cooling equipment, improves your indoor air quality, and can even boost the efficiency of your HVAC system. People who suffer from allergies may want to consider more frequent duct cleaning.

You should also have your ductwork routinely inspected. This will ensure there are no gaps or cracks in your ducting that allow allergens to enter your HVAC system and circulate through your home. If damage is discovered, repairs can be made using materials like mastic tape and sealants. Sealing your ducts every three to five years is another way that you can promote an airtight seal in your ductwork. This process involves closing any areas of your ductwork that allow air to escape or to enter. This also prevents pests from making their way into your HVAC system, which can greatly aggravate allergy symptoms as rodents and bugs make nests and leave waste material behind.

If you would like assistance with choosing a filter that will improve your indoor air quality, Queen City Heating & Cooling is here to help. We can also install, repair, and provide maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment. We also work on water heaters, radiant heating, heat pumps, and ductless AC units. We can install whole-house filtration and whole-house humidity control equipment as well as address other indoor air quality concerns with the installation of carbon monoxide detectors.

Contact Queen City Heating & Cooling in Springfield today to schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable team.

Queen City Team
Queen City Team

company icon