Tips to Improve HVAC Air Filtration

CONCORD — Air filtration is a crucial HVAC feature that affects everything from system performance to indoor air quality (IAQ). Consider the following tips for improving your HVAC system’s filtration:

Check the MERV rating. Air filters are rated on a scale of 1-20 by the MERV rating chart, with 1 representing lowest quality and 20 representing highest quality. Low-rated filters (MERV 1-5) allow high amounts of airborne particulates to pass through into the HVAC system, which diminishes both system efficiency and IAQ. Over time, this can lead to increased utility costs and reduced system performance—a real lose-lose situation. A better choice is to invest in a high-rated filter that effectively captures airborne particulates and keeps them out of your home’s air stream. Depending on what type of HVAC system you have, opt for a filter with a rating of MERV 8 to MERV 16.

Consider a carbon filter. Carbon air filters are made from activated charcoal. When charcoal is activated, the surface area of each particle increases substantially, which makes it more effective at absorbing dust, pollen, germs and other airborne particulates. Carbon filters are especially effective at controlling strong odors like smoke, which makes them a great choice for those who suffer from asthma or particular allergies.

“Activate” your air filtration. Most HVAC systems operate via “passive” filtration, wherein airborne particulates are caught in the filter as air naturally flows through it. These days, many homeowners are upgrading to “active” filtration, an enhanced form that actively kills adverse particulates in order to deodorize and purify the air. Active filtration systems use a variety of means to do this—for example, some utilize a UV lightbulb to kill germs and bacteria as they pass through the filter. If you want to maximize your IAQ, ask your HVAC contractor about adding an active filtration system.