Spring is in full bloom in Raleigh. The flowers are blooming and warmer temperatures are luring you outdoors, but you’re missing out because allergies are making you miserable. What’s worse is your symptoms don’t improve indoors. Why?
It could be because your air conditioner’s air filters are dirty, leading to poor indoor air quality inside your home.
What Is an Air Filter and How Does It Improve Indoor Air Quality in Raleigh?
Air filters are usually constructed from a cardboard frame that houses spun fiberglass or fine, pleated paper designed to trap harmful particles floating in the air. They are vital to improving the performance of your HVAC equipment and improving the indoor quality in Raleigh homes.
Why? Because air filters trap and contain a wide variety of bothersome particles that affect your overall health, including:
- Pollen
- Dust
- Dirt
- Mold and spores
- Bacteria
- Pet fur and dander
How Does My Air Filter Work?
Your HVAC system has an air handler, which is a large box that houses a fan and fan motor. This equipment is designed to pull air from your house into the return ductwork and then recirculate it through the HVAC system and back into your home via the ductwork. It’s at this point that air filters trap unhealthy particulates and prevent them from circulating throughout your home. Air filters are usually housed where the return duct meets the air handler. You should notice a removable cover that holds the air filter.
Why Are Air Filters So Important and Why Should I Change Them?
Air filters are paramount to enjoying a well-maintained HVAC system and improved indoor air quality in Raleigh homes. Dirty air filters can cause the following problems:
- Overall malfunction and damage to your HVAC equipment
- Poor air quality
- Reduced air flow that causes wear and tear on air handler fans
- Particulate buildup in HVAC ductwork
- Higher energy costs caused by HVAC system working harder
Check your air filter at least monthly to improve indoor air quality in Raleigh homes. If you notice a large buildup of dust, dirt and pet hair, change it immediately.
What Are the Different Types of Air Filters to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Raleigh?
Not all air filters are created equal. There are different kinds you can choose to improve your air quality. An air filter’s overall effectiveness is determined by a minimum efficiency reporting value, known as MERV. Rated from 1 to 16, the higher the MERV number, the better filtration provided by the air filter. Typically, most Raleigh homes are best served by a MERV rating of 6-8, which provides good air filtration and captures most harmful particulates.
Don’t just guess which filter is best for your home. The professionals at AnyDay Heating & Cooling will be happy to check out your HVAC system and offer an expert opinion on the right air filter and other ways to improve the indoor air quality in Raleigh homes.
Contact us today at 919-329-2944 or visit us online for all of your air filter needs.
