Itching, coughing, sneezing… these are just a few of the symptoms that many of us in the St. Louis area are bracing ourselves for as spring allergy season nears. But did you know that your air filter can help minimize your exposure to pollen and other springtime allergens when you’re indoors? Today we’re going to talk about how allergy sufferers can use their air filters to help relieve their symptoms!
How do allergens get into your home?
We know that common springtime allergens like pollen come from the plants and trees outside, but why do they affect us indoors? Every time you open a door or window in your home, you let in a certain amount of outside air. Along with that air comes all of the allergens and other particles that it contains.
In addition, allergens can sneak into your home through air leaks even if all of your doors and windows are shut.
How does your air filter remove allergens from your air?
After allergens make their way indoors, they get into your home’s airflow. So when air enters your return ducts and flows toward your air conditioner to be cooled, those allergens come right along with it. That’s when they run into your air filter!
Air must travel through your air filter before it is cooled and sent back to your home’s living spaces. When this happens, allergens get trapped in your filter, and only cleaner air is allowed to pass through the other side (assuming you have a clean filter).
What’s the best air filter for allergy sufferers?
All air filters are not created equal. If you have a standard throwaway filter with a low MERV rating, it won’t be very effective at removing allergens from your home’s air. A better alternative for allergy sufferers would be to install a filter with a high MERV rating and a large surface area, such as a pleated filter, that is more effective at removing indoor allergens.
For the ultimate protection from springtime allergies, a whole-house air filtration system is the very best option. These systems can remove up to 98 percent of the particles and allergens from your home’s air, and they can do so without affecting your air conditioner’s airflow (like many high-efficiency filters can).
If you have any questions about the right air filter for allergy sufferers, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Charles heating and air conditioning contractor. We service the St. Louis area, including towns like Cottleville, Creve Coeur, and Dardenne Prairie.
photo credit: William Brawley via photopin cc
