Allergens like pet dander and dust mites can impact indoor air quality and your health. The air in your HVAC system plays a big part in the extent to which these pollutants affect you in your San Marcos, Texas, home. Clogged, dirty, or inadequate filters pose health hazards by allowing harmful particles to circulate through your home. They also make it harder for your cooling system to keep you comfortable. If you notice frequent allergic reactions when indoors or higher energy bills, your air filter is one place to start.
Air Filter Basics
All of the conditioned air your HVAC system delivers must first pass through a filter. Your air filter protects your HVAC equipment and the occupants of your home from dust, debris, and other airborne pollutants. Along with preventive HVAC maintenance, regularly replacing the filter offers you an affordable way to:
- Filter out larger allergens like microbial growth spores and pollen from the air you breathe.
- Improve your comfort by optimizing air flow with a clean-running system.
- Save you money through lower monthly energy bills.
- Safeguard your HVAC equipment against costly repairs.
- Extend the service life of your heating or air conditioning system.
If you fail to replace or clean your filter as needed, you could experience frequent respiratory problems. A clogged filter can no longer effectively remove pollutants from the air. When your filter is dirty, it can actually cause pollutants to reenter the air you breathe.
Get Acquainted with MERV
A filter’s ability to remove particles from the air is measured by its minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV. The higher the number, the smaller the size of particulate it can remove. The flat-panel filters commonly used in HVAC systems typically have MERV ratings between one and four. Pleated and/or electrostatic filters can have MERV ratings as high as 11. For optimal air filtration, high efficiency air quality products like air purifiers can be incorporated with your HVAC system for even greater filtration throughout your home.
Expert IAQ Solutions
At Woods Comfort Systems, we’re dedicated to keeping our neighbors in Central Texas healthy and comfortable. For more information about how to combat air pollution in your home, explore our full range of indoor air quality services or give us a call at (512) 253-8927.
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