Without a doubt, every homeowner in Beaumont, Texas, strives to make their home as comfortable as possible for their family. While many homeowners focus on the temperature of their living space, many fail to consider indoor air quality. As homeowners realize why air quality is important, more and more are installing indoor air quality systems in their homes.
If you own an indoor air quality system, research filters, learn your household’s requirements, and maintain the system to get the most out of it.
Pick the Right Filter
Homeowners often make the mistake of picking the cheapest air filter they come across. The main difference between air filters is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV. As you can probably tell by the name, the MERV of an air filter depends on its efficiency. Different MERVs are best suited for different needs.
- MERV 1-4: If you want to spend the least amount of money possible, get an air filter in this range. An air filter in this range will likely only work well enough to limit dust accumulation on objects in your home. However, the air filter will not do much when it comes to air quality.
- MERV 5-8: For most homes, an air filter in this range is perfect. While these air filters are efficient at filtering out allergens, they are not so tightly woven that airflow is restricted.
- MERV 9-12: Homeowners who have many allergies or many pets should get an air filter in this range. These air filters are incredibly efficient at removing allergens so that you and your family members can enjoy better air quality. However, you may need the help of a HVAC technician to deal with the airflow restriction issue.
- MERV 13-16: Air filters of this range are generally used in smoking lounges and hospitals. Very rarely will a home need an air filter in this range. Not only is a filter in this range overkill, but the airflow restriction will be a huge problem.
Know Your Household’s Needs
It is necessary to replace the air filter of a system regularly to keep it working efficiently. How often you should replace the filter depends on many factors. To make sure you get the most out of your indoor air quality system, you should learn your household’s needs.
Air filters in homes without pets should be replaced once every three months, while filters in homes with a pet should be replaced once every two months. If there are more than two pets, homeowners should change the filter once a month. The same goes if there are inhabitants of the home who have allergies. The air filter of a system in a vacation home can be changed as infrequently as twice a year.
While these are good guidelines to follow, they are not hard and fast rules. You should base the frequency at which you change the filter in your home by ease of breathing and allergy attack incidents.
Maintain the Air Quality System
Just like all other HVAC systems, an indoor air quality system needs to be maintained regularly. Contact a HVAC technician to maintain your system at least twice a year. However, if you feel your air quality system has decreased in efficiency, you should call an HVAC technician right away to make sure the problem doesn’t get any worse.
Homeowners who fail to maintain their air quality system will likely experience a system breakdown at some point. This is because such air quality systems have many parts to efficient filtering. Unfortunately, a side effect of having so many parts is that the system is prone to breakdowns if even one part is out of order.
For more information about how to get the most out of your indoor air quality system, don’t hesitate to contact the Thermacon Service Company by calling 866-797-1535. Our HVAC technicians will be able to help you maintain the utmost level of comfort in your home.
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