Dirty air filters are a common issue that many people have yet are often unaware of and do not know how to fix. Dirty air filters can cause major problems in your home including dusty furniture, unhealthy air, and your air conditioning unit’s blower motor to overheat. It is important to clean your filters often. However, there are some filters that require less maintenance than others. There are many different factors to consider when deciding which air filter is best for your home. 

Consider The Air Filter’s MERV Rating

When deciding which air filter is best for your home, it is crucial to consider a filter’s MERV rating. MERV stands for the minimum efficiency reporting value. The MERV rating reports how much dirt and other particles that the air filter fibers can collect. The rating scale starts from a MERV 1 and goes up to a MERV 16, with the collection amount and efficiency increasing at each level. Most residential air filters have a MERV rating of 9 or higher but here at Genuine Comfort Heating & Air we recommend getting air filters with a MERV of 13 or higher especially if you do not plan on changing the filter often. 

How Often Should You Be Changing Your Air Filter?

Your current air filter is most likely not going to be able to handle more than two weeks of debris that go in and out of your air ducts. It is crucial to change these filters out every two weeks to avoid damage to your air conditioning system and the air quality of your home. Some air filters can last a while longer, depending on the quality and how high of a MERV rating an air filter has. This goes for filters bought at home improvement department stores as well. Static electric filters bought at department stores or that are less than a MERV 13 can be overly restrictive for your air conditioning unit, causing it to freeze up. 

Our Recommendation For Which Air Filter Is Best For Your Home

At Genuine Comfort Heating and Air, we recommend only the best products for your home because we want you to have the best experience possible and run into as few problems with your air conditioning as possible. Our recommendation for the best air filter is the HEBA 365 Filter. This filter does not restrict the airflow and reduces the chance of your air conditioning unit freezing up or your heat exchanger to crack too early on your furnace. It also is one of the best filters for convenience. You only need to change it out about once a year. You can also purchase the Lennox MERV 16 air cleaner. It can sit on a box to the side of your furnace or can go underneath your furnace if you are getting a new furnace installed. 

Contact Us For More Info Regarding Air Filters

We love to hear from you here at Genuine Comfort. We have an abundance of knowledge when it comes to air filters, air conditioners, furnaces and much more. We would love to help you learn more about the heating and cooling of your home and help you get new equipment installed. Contact us for more information, to get a quote, or to schedule a consultation. For further information regarding air filters check out this video!