Air filters are essential for indoor air quality and your health because they help to remove airborne particles that can negatively impact air quality and, therefore, your health. These particles can come from cooking smoke, pet dander, dust, pollen, mold spores, and more. Air filters can help to trap and remove these particles before they can circulate throughout your home and cause health problems.
Some filters, such as FilterKing- air filters, can also trap and remove particles that are too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as those that come from car exhaust and other pollutants. By trapping and removing these small particles, air filters can help to improve the overall air quality in your home, making it a healthier place to live. Here is what you need to know about air filters and air quality control.
Is it possible to impact your health if you forget to change your air filter?
You need to do many things around your house, and one of the easiest things to forget is changing the air filter. In some homes, the air filter is hidden, which makes it easy to forget about it. The air filter may be difficult to reach in other homes. However, changing your air filter probably appears to be one of those minor chores that can be put off for the most part.
You might wonder if forgetting to change your air filter regularly is a big deal, no matter why it happens. Is it possible that neglecting to change your air filter could also be harmful to your health, in addition to the negative effects it can have on the air conditioning system itself?
There is increasing evidence that indoor air quality can impact your health as outdoor air quality does. Several irritants and pollutants can end up in your home’s air, including pollen, pet dander, dust, molds, bacteria, and viruses. Vehicle exhaust, emissions from smoking or cooking, and molds are all examples of airborne particles. It is simple to inhale particles smaller than 10 microns, such as those mentioned earlier. Your eyes, nose, and throat may be irritated by these particles, and your heart and lungs may also be affected.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the three best ways to reduce the number of airborne particles in your home are:
- Removing the particle’s source: keeping surfaces clean and dusty regularly, brushing your pet outside, not smoking inside your home, and avoiding moisture buildup are all good practices.
- Providing adequate ventilation: cooking or using household cleaning products while using exhaust fans installed correctly.
- Cleaning the air: utilizing an air filter with a medium to high efficiency and regularly replacing it, or installing an air purifier in a frequently used area of your home.
Can An Air Filter Improve the Quality of the Air in Your Home?
You probably already know that an air filter helps keep dust from building up in your air conditioner’s internal workings. However, does an air filter also help to improve and clean the air in your home? Yes, according to the EPA, air filters can assist in removing and reducing airborne particles in your home, including the most harmful ones.
However, not all air filters are the same. Some are better at cleaning the air in your home than others, and a rating called MERV can assist you with understanding the viability of each air channel choice you stumble into.
An air filter can remove more particles from the air if its MERV is higher. Your air conditioner will be protected by filters with a MERV of 4 or lower, but they won’t clean the air in your home. Your best bet for removing some airborne particles that pose the most significant health risks is air filters with MERVs between 7 and 13.
Most homes can handle air filters with MERVs up to 13, but you should talk to a professional HVAC technician before using anything with MERVs higher than 9. The performance will suffer due to exceeding your system’s capabilities, ultimately leading to unnecessary expenditures and strain on your system.
