Air Filter Replacement

Your air filter is your first line of defense against the circulation of allergens, pollutants, and contaminants from circulating through the air you breathe indoors. Without regular filter replacement, your indoor air quality suffers, but more importantly, your overall health suffers as well.

Your Air Filter

One of the most common reasons for poor indoor air quality and HVAC malfunction is restricted airflow caused by the failure to regularly replace the air filters. Does it matter what kind of filter you get? Yes. The least expensive filters aren't always the best, but you don't have the get the most expensive either. The filter collects allergens, pollutants, and contaminants from within your indoor air, but it also allows for maximum air filtration and air circulation. The MERV rating you need depends on the needs of your family, co-workers, and others within an occupied dwelling.

What Is A MERV Rating?

MERV stands for Maximum Efficiency Reportings Value. This value is helpful in comparing the performance of different filters. The rating is derived from a test method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). It's recommended that a filter with the MERV rating 7-12 is for residential use. Anything higher than a MERV 12 forces your HVAC system to work harder to Cool or Heat your home. The higher the MERV rating the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles, but higher MERV ratings also mean the thicker the filter. The harder your HVAC system has to work, the faster parts breakdown which would require faster and possibly expensive part replacement. Air filters with MERV ratings of between 7-12 capture particles ranging from .3 - 10.0 microns. As an example, viruses and bacteria can be as low as .06 microns.

What's In Your Air?

We spend around 90% of our time indoors and without proper air filtration, the air we

breathe indoors can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. The most common indoor airborne allergens, pollutants, and contaminants filtered from your indoor air are dust, pollen, pet dander, dirt, and more. However, did you know viruses, bacteria, mold, and other volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, chemicals from cleaning and self-care products, painting and other DIY projects, and much more circulate through the air you breathe as well? With proper air filtration and the use of the correct filters, your air filters clean and rid of your air from within the occupied dwelling. Without regular filter replacements, you can be assured that these allergens, pollutants, and contaminants will recirculate through your indoor air.

Different Filter Sizes

Air filters range in sizes also. The most common filters range from 16x25 - 20x25, however, there are other size filters offered for the size of the furnace and the size of the dwelling. Which size is best? That's up to you. As most filters are 1-inch, there are some furnaces that offer 4-inch filters. 1-inch filters are primarily used when a regular replacement is scheduled. 4-inch filters allow for a longer time in between replacements, but this may not always be the best choice. Quite often with 4-inch filters, the occupant forgets to replace the filters.

How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?

Depending on the number of people living in your home or occupying the dwelling, how many pets you have, the area of your home, and your overall health, it's recommended to replace your 1-inch air filters every 30-90 days. On average, 90 days is the maximum amount of time you should wait between filter replacements. However, 4-inch filters can be replaced anywhere from 90 days - one year, although we would not recommend waiting 12 months to replace your filters.

Replacing Your Air Filter

Your air filter is installed within the furnace of your HVAC system. For some, this means that you have to climb into the attic to replace your air filters. It may be easy for a few, but there are many that have a difficult time climbing, have a fear of heights, or simply do not want to be responsible for the replacement of their filters. Fresh Air Matters has revolutionized the indoor air quality industry by offering local plans, services, air purifiers, and other air purification products that help you create a healthy indoor environment by cleaning the air you breathe. One such plan is our air filter replacement plans.

• We provide the filters.

• We replace them for you.

• We clean your return vents.

• On the same day.

• At the same time.

• Every 30-90 days.

For more information on how Fresh Air Matters helps you create a healthy indoor environment, our other services, air purifiers, and other indoor air quality products, please go to our website. Or, you may also contact us with any questions you may have.