One of the most common problems we encounter on a daily basis is educating home owners on the importance of a clean filter. More often than not the root of the problem with the HVAC system stems from a problem with the filter. Considering that the filter removes dust and mold particles from the air, it improves the air quality in your home and helps to keep your system running efficiently; you could almost say that the filter is the heart of your HVAC system.

With so many different styles on the market it’s important to be familiar the different types of filters as well as the best ones for your needs. The first thing any homeowner should know is what size filters should be used in their system. This can easily be found in your systems owner’s manual. If you don’t have the manual or are unsure where to look, just ask your service technician when he is out performing your fall or spring system tune up; your service tech is trained to make sure that your filter has a proper fit.

The next thing to consider is what MERV rating fits your needs best. MERV, or minimum efficiency reporting value, is the effectiveness rating of your filter, MERV rating run 1 to 20 with MERV 20 catching the most debris. Keep in mind, however, that the higher does not necessarily mean the better. Filters rated over 17 on the MERV scale are considered HEPA filters and while these are a great option if you or someone in your home has asthma or breathing problems, they are denser filters that are very restrictive and can limit the airflow in your system. We recommend somewhere in the middle, 7 to 13, in this range your airflow won’t be restricted but almost all household dust and mold particles will be trapped.

Do you have a pet? Make sure to have at least a MERV 8 filter in your system to trap the excess hair and dander shed by your four-legged family members. Allergy suffers should look for a filter rated 9 to 12. As a general rule, you should be checking and/or replacing your air filters at least once a month.

Just remember, when you write your mortgage check it’s time to replace your filter.

We believe that an educated customer is the best customer and that is our goal, to educate our customers so that they can get the best possible service and product. No one should ever feel like that are being taken advantage of and at AC Wizard we strive to make sure that every customer is an informed consumer and has all the information needed to make an educated decision and never feel like they are being taken advantage of.

When quality matters, call AC Wizard at 214-342-2665 or Contact Us Online we are here to help.