Air filters are powerful devices that can help eliminate contaminants in your air. Before we get into the specifics, we want to provide you with a little bit of direction if you’re on the fence about purchasing an air filter.
First of all, they work as intended. As homes get inundated with smoke and other particles from nearby wildfires and other natural events, air filters are the first line of defense. They can quickly weed out smoke particles and keep your air feeling fresh and safe. People with serious allergies or asthma can rest easy knowing that any large particles that might trigger an attack can be targeted and held back by a properly sized air filter in Pleasanton, CA.
Now, let’s get into the science behind these systems. We’ll talk about just how they’re able to eliminate pollutants and keep your air safe.
How Filters Work
Filters are simpler, much simpler than air purifiers or other indoor air quality devices. They don’t use any electricity and they don’t run any machinery that requires movement. All they need to do is be situated where the air flows into your HVAC system. There, they do their job.
Air filters are comprised of a web of filaments that can capture small particles. Depending on how high the MERV rating of the filter is, (MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value) the air filter will be able to catch smaller and smaller particles. Some microscopic particles that are only a few microns in size, like bacteria, are much harder to capture in an air filter. That’s why air purifiers work so perfectly hand in hand with these systems.
The good news is that the smoke that’s been disrupting your day is large enough to be easily handled by an air filter of most MERV ratings. There are other particles that can be treated by normal air filters as well.
What Can Air Filters Protect You From
Here are just a few particles that you can see eliminated with a well-maintained air filter.
- Smoke. All of those wildfires nearby have really put a damper on our indoor air quality. Sometimes it feels like no matter where you go in your home, there’s a haze everywhere. Air filters can easily catch these particles and remove them.
- Dust. Dust can be a huge problem for homes that feel stuffy. An air filter can quickly remove most dust particles from the air so that it’s easier to breathe.
- Pet Dander. While we can’t live without our furry friends, it’s hard to live with them sometimes with the amount of pet hair and dander that can get everywhere. Air filters can make short work of these particles.
- Allergens. Sometimes people are allergic to all sorts of particles in the air that an air filter can remove.
- Asthma Triggers. People with asthma are much less likely to be triggered into an asthma attack when there’s an operating air filter in your home. An air purifier can also help eliminate other contaminants that would cause asthma attacks as well.