Are Allergen Furnace Filters Really Worth It?

When it comes to the health and comfort of your family, friends, and other guests, it's a good idea to invest in the most efficient air filter you can afford. Pleated residential filters are designed to trap dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold, and even bacteria, which can be worth the extra money for those with severe allergies. Outdoor air quality is affected by particles such as pollution, construction dust, ash, exhaust fumes and outdoor allergens like pollen from trees and grass. Gases accumulate due to factors such as the combustion of coal or diesel, automobile exhaust, and industrial waste.

To measure outdoor air quality, experts use the air quality index and pollen count. The best air filters from the CR tests are grouped by their thickness and arranged alphabetically. The decision to pay more for a better filter or not depends mainly on whether or not cleaner air is a priority for you. HEPA air filters for allergies need to be changed more often than common paper air filters for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, especially during the peak pollen season.

This helps to purify the air in your home by eliminating allergens such as pollen, dust, smoke and pet dander. If so, there are several examples of qualified filters that we would recommend, such as the Nordic Pure MERV 12. Much of this has to do with the fact that larger allergenic particles settle on carpets, surfaces, and bedding instead of circulating through the air. Many experts suggest a combination of methods to control allergies and asthma, including a cleaning routine, mechanical filters, and portable air purifiers. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a measure of how effectively a filter removes particles from the air.

For example, hospitals use filters rated 16 but that's not necessary for your home environment. Clogging increases the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet sides which can cause the filter folds to flatten or the filter frame to bend. Read the label and consider the manufacturer's recommendations on how often the filter should be changed. But those are rare circumstances and without the right air filters for allergies you'll keep vacuuming and sneezing throughout the season.