Did you upgrade your air filter due to COVID?
Do air filters, air purifiers, and UV lamps help control the spread of bacteria and viruses?
Your home’s HVAC system works to provide clean, comfortable indoor air. Your air conditioner, in addition to maintaining healthy humidity levels, uses your air filtration system to reduce the amount of airborne particles such as pollen, pet dander, smoke, dust — even the transmission of bacteria and viruses — throughout your home.
Since the emergence of coronavirus, there have been suggestions to replace your current air filter with a higher efficiency filter — filters that have a higher MERV value. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or the rated effectiveness of the air filter. A higher MERV rating means the holes in the filter are smaller allowing fewer dust particles and other contaminants to pass through it.
If you are looking to upgrade your current air filter to a more powerful air filter, please note that it is more complex than simply replacing it with a high-efficiency filter. The higher filtration requirements call for greater air pressure and a larger filter because they are more restrictive and thus, slow down the air flow. You need to choose a filter than can work with your current equipment’s capability and air flow capacity to avoid your air conditioner from tripping and freezing up.
Before you buy a high-efficiency filter, talk with your HVAC contractor. They can help you select a filter that will work with the parameters of your system and still provide adequate air flow. Or they can help upgrade your system to handle improved air filtration.
Remember, higher MERV filters may require you change them more often so check them monthly and change as needed. Dirty filters further restrict air flow and may lead to your system’s air handler working harder than normal causing unnecessary wear and possible short cycling.
Looking for additional IAQ solutions: Whole-home air purifiers and UV lamps.
Your local HVAC contractor can also assist you with air purification options that use electronic filtering processes to capture and kill 95% of the bacteria, viruses, allergens, and other pollutants in your home.
Find out how germicidal UV lamps prevent and remove mold and bacteria lurking inside your heating and cooling system.
Turn to the experts. Contact your local HVAC contractor today.
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