Why You Need to Upgrade Your HVAC Filter

Your home is the one place where you should be completely comfortable, right? But staying at home isn’t only about being snug; your family’s safety should also be a primary concern. Spring is known to be an allergy season because trees, weeds, and grasses release pollen into the air. These are tiny grains that fertilize other plants. Pollen may be helpful for plants and vegetation, but they do pose a threat to humans, especially those with allergies.

Thankfully, you have your HVAC system to not only keep you and your family safe from unfriendly temperatures, but also from allergy triggers. Your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner is equipped with an air filter, which blocks particles and keeps them from entering the inside of your unit. This part helps maintain a healthy airflow within the system, which is essential to its performance. However, it’s not enough to trap microscopic allergens and particles.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your total HVAC company in Mahtomedi MN. We can help you find the right air filter for your home comfort system and help protect your family from unseen enemies.

Overview

Since filters regularly gather household pollutants, they should be changed at least once per month, especially during peak seasons like summer and winter. By changing your filter regularly, you catch excessive amounts of dirt and debris, keeping them from accumulating in your furnace or air conditioner — not to mention your lungs. When ignored, too much dirt compromises your indoor air quality and can lead to respiratory diseases, allergies, and exorbitant utility bills. It can shorten your equipment’s lifespan, too.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

There are items in your homes that are essential to keep it clean. However, they also contribute to the degradation of your indoor air quality. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted into the air from household products, such as paint, varnish, sealants, adhesives, carpet, disinfectants, furniture, air fresheners, detergent, shampoo, soaps, printers, gasoline, and diesel emissions.

These gases can affect your health by irritating the eyes, nose, throat, and can cause difficulty breathing, and nausea. Prolonged exposure to these agents can also damage the central nervous system as well as other organs. Still, some VOCs can cause cancer. For these reasons, it’s best to consider upgrading to high-efficiency filters.

HEPA Filters 101

HEPA means “high-efficiency particulate air.” It is a type of mechanical filter that works by forcing air through a fine sieve that traps harmful particles like pet dander, smoke, pollen, and dust mite. HEPA filters remove no less than 99.97 percent of particles 0.3 microns or larger from your indoor air. The Department of Energy sets and enforces this gold standard for allergen and airborne particle removal.

HEPA Filters, Allergies, and House Cleaning

Using HEPA filters at home can eliminate most airborne particles that might aggravate allergies. HEPA filters help you breathe cleaner air that will allow your lungs and other organs to work better, usually leading to better oxygen absorption by your brain.

To effectively improve your indoor air, consider going for a whole-home air purification system packed with a HEPA filter. This setup helps your furnace or air conditioner run at peak performance while keeping your indoor air clean. As added benefits, using a HEPA filter can also help lower your energy consumption and extend your equipment’s lifespan.

Unfortunately, allergens aren’t only found in the air. There are far more contaminants in your bedding, drapes, rugs, and carpeting as well as countertops and tabletops. Therefore, you should exert more effort toward making sure these areas are clean. Whenever possible, it’s best to get rid of allergens and irritants’ sources, i.e., cigarette or tobacco smoking.

Ask the Indoor Air Quality Experts

Your HVAC system’s air filter may be a part that’s easy to maintain, but it’s job is to keep dust and debris from entering the unit; it does very little in keeping your indoor air clean and safe. That’s why you should look into upgrading to a better filter, especially if you have family members who suffer from allergies or with preexisting respiratory conditions. Call Four Seasons Air Specialists to find out more about protecting your family from allergens and other airborne pollutants. We are your trusted Grant heating and air conditioning company.