“Do This Not That”: The Do’s and Don’ts of Air Filters
The Air Filters in your home seem simple enough. They use layers of filtration material to stop particles from blowing through the air in your home, and you change them when they’re full. However, what filters you use, their quality, and when to change them can be a bit more complicated. We’re here to sort out the “Do’s,” and “Don’ts,” of all things air filters today.
Do check your MERV, don’t buy blind
Did you know that air filters not only come in different kinds or styles, but also in different levels of quality? The “Quality,” of an air filter is determined by how many or how fine of air particles it can filter out, and this measurement is quantified into a “MERV,” rating. When looking for which filter to buy, check the MERV first so you know exactly what kind of filter you’re getting, and how often it will need to be changed for your family.
Do set a reminder, don’t forget to change
When you avoid or forget to change your air filters, you do more than keep your air from being clean. Clogged filters block the air ducts in your home over time, and make your central heating and air system work harder than it needs to. This puts stress on the system and can also cost you in lost efficiency. If you don’t know how often you should be changing your filter, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you out.
Do adjust for occupancy, don’t keep using the same filter/frequency
Even if you’ve chosen a filter and set a changing schedule, you should still reevaluate if it’s sufficient for your home periodically. Home occupancy is a much bigger factor in how often filters should be changed than most homeowners think.
Have you taken in a long term house guest, roommate, new child, or dog? Have you taken any long trips this month or undergone any home renovations? The amount of people in your home, and the amount of time they’ve spent there will change your filtration needs over time. Increase or decrease the rate at which you change your filters accordingly.
A great aspect of the common home filtration system is the ability to customize it to your family’s needs, the key is taking a little time to get to know your routines and the filters available to you. At Middleton Heat and Air, we want all of our customers to be as comfortable in their homes as possible! If you have any other questions about filtration, feel free to read more resources from our blog or give us a call! If you’ve noticed very poor air quality in your home, an increase in allergies, or suspect you may have a duct leak, we suggest you schedule a visit with one of our expert technicians right away. Visit us online or give us a call at 1-800-404-0371!