In today’s world, people are becoming more and more aware of the air they breathe and the importance of Indoor Air Quality. This is why we want to talk about filters. 

Not about the ones on your Instagram or the ones in your car. It’s about the one in your house. The one in your heating and air conditioning system. 

According to the EPA, the air inside your home can be up to x5 worse than the air outside. So how do we help that with maintaining the filters we use in our heating and AC systems?

First, you need to know where to find your filter.

1. It should be either at the bottom of your furnace in a casing  base, or
2. In a big intake vent either on your ceiling or on the wall.

Next, we need to know what type of filter we should use.

There are 3 different ratings for air filters: 

• The MERV rating, which was created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers; it measures how effective the filter is at stopping dust and contaminants. 
• The MPR, a performance rating which was developed by 3M and rates the ability to capture airborne particles smaller than 1 micron. Which is about the size of the tip of a sharpened pencil. 
• The FPR, a rating system developed by Home Depot, closely resembles the MERV system. 

For all of these systems, the higher the number, the more you can filter.

The most commonly found are 1 inch thick filters. These can be found at most local hardware stores and even home-goods like Target. Most are either: 

• MERV 8, which is good against things like Pollen, Mould, and Dust. 
• Or MERV 11, which gives additional filtration against smoke and pet dander. 

It’s also important to note that 1 inch thick filters should be changed every 60-90 days. For ultimate home protection, MERV 13 filters can also help against viruses and bacteria. For a longer lifespan and better protection, you’ll have to upgrade to a 4-inch thick filter. These filters can last up to 12 months by reducing the strain on your system; and for that reason, it is recommended for anything rated MERV 11 and up. They’re also the standard choice here at Pacific Aire.

So the next time you’re sitting at home ask yourself; what kind of air am I breathing?

Improve your home comfort with Pacific Aire.

Visit https://bit.ly/pacaire_ductwork_air_quality or call us at 805-737-2564 for more information about changing a filter and for all of your ductwork repair or replacement needs.