St. Louis area homeowners often ask what the best air filter is for their home. The truth is that every home is different, and the right filter for you can depend on several different factors. If you want to figure out the best air filter for your home, ask yourself the three questions below!
3 questions to ask to figure out the best air filter for your home
- What size of filter do I need? Every air conditioner has space for a specific size of the filter. You wouldn’t want to get a filter that’s too big or too small for your cooling system, because an improperly sized filter won’t perform correctly. The easiest way to know what size of filter to get is to look at the dimensions of the filter that you currently have installed. If you suspect that you might have the wrong sized filter, you can always consult your air conditioner’s owner’s manual or ask one of us at Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning!
- What filters can my air conditioner handle? The higher the MERV rating of a filter, the more your air handler has to work to push air through. That’s because more surface area is needed on a filter to capture more particles, which leaves less room for air to pass by. Your air conditioner is designed to handle filters up to a specific efficiency, depending on the power of the air handler. If you use a filter that exceeds that limit, it will take a toll on your energy bills. The best filter for your home is the one with the highest MERV rating that your system can handle. Again, you can figure this information out by consulting your air conditioner’s owner’s manual or by asking someone at Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning.
- Would I benefit from a better filter? Have you noticed a buildup of dust on your air conditioner’s components? Do people suffer from asthma or allergies in your home? Does it seem like illnesses spread easily from person to person in your family? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, consider replacing your current filter with one that has a higher MERV rating. The better a filter is at removing particles from your home’s air, the better you can protect the health of your HVAC system and your family.
If you have any questions about the best air filter for your home, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Charles, MO, air conditioning company. We service the St. Louis area, including towns like Maryland Heights, O’Fallon, and St. Paul.
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