The Facts About Home Air Filtration

Indoor Air Quality Improves with Better Home Air Filtration 

Indoor air quality is on everyone’s minds these days. Even before the pandemic, allergies and respiratory issues were on the rise here in Southern California, whether it be from pollens, smoke from wildfires, or air pollution. The events of the past couple of years certainly didn’t ease anyone’s minds either, as the threat of airborne viral particles also became of concern for many. The solution? At home, it starts with great HVAC and superior home air filtration. 

The filters used for your home’s HVAC don’t just prevent dust from entering your living space. They trap pollen, environmental irritants, and even dog and cat dander from floating free in the air you’re breathing. The right filter also protects your system from the debris that could damage its components and keep it from functioning normally. For all these reasons, it’s very important to ensure you have the right kind of filters for your home and your HVAC. 

Different Types of Filters: Know your Choices for Home Air Filtration

Fiberglass filters are the least expensive of all when it comes to HVAC home air filtration. They do a pretty good job of keeping the larger particles of dust and dirt from your equipment, and they also make it easy for your system to draw in air. However, keep in mind that fiberglass filters are not designed to remove all the pollen and smaller irritants that are responsible for most people’s allergies and respiratory issues in their homes. To take care of those problems, it’s best to consider more powerful HVAC filtration. 

Pleated air filters are another option. Slightly more expensive than fiberglass, their fabric folds make them more able to capture mold spores, pet dander, and other organisms that hamper air quality. With a MERV rating between 6-8, they can be used in most HVAC systems. 

HEPA air filters are the gold standard when it comes to air filtration in your home and for your HVAC system. These High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters simply get the job done when it comes to blocking out up to 99.7% of the irritants that make their way inside your home, including viruses, bacteria, mold, fungus, and other unpleasant and unwanted houseguests (aside from Uncle Larry, he’s sadly too big a particle). 

One cautionary note, however: as the filtration for your home gets stronger, your HVAC must work harder to draw air inside. While we recommend a MERV rating of 11 or higher for really high-quality air filtration inside your home, make sure to check with an HVAC professional before installation. That way you won’t put undue stress on your heating and air conditioning equipment while keeping your air clean. 

Get in touch today if you have questions about home air filtration and how you can improve the air quality in your home. We can help! 

Air-Tro is the HVAC company the San Gabriel Valley trusts for all its heating and air conditioning needs. Call us now: 626 357-3535 to schedule a consultation.