Dust , pollen , pet dander , mold spores , and dust mite feces are common allergens that trigger allergies in sensitive people. selecting a suitable replacement air filter for your furnace or air conditioner can help deal with these problematic allergens. In this article we take a look at some of the common filters available to home owners.

Fiberglass air filters are not only the least expensive replacement air filters sold, they are also the least effective in removing allergens from the air. Fiberglass air filters are designed only to capture the largest of dust particles but they do nothing to remove smaller particles like many of the common household allergens. These types of air filters also have very low MERV ratings and in many cases have no MERV rating at all.

Pleated air filters are a modified kind of panel filter that utilizes pleats or folds in the filter material to increase its surface area. This design change makes it more efficient at trapping dust particles because a more efficient filtering material can be used. Pleated filters are an upgrade from disposable fibreglass furnace filters. Most pleated furnace filters will last up to 90 days.

Electrostatic air filters are efficient and relatively inexpensive. Electrostatic furnace filters are permanent rather than disposable, meaning that you save money because you don't have to replace your filters as often. Electrostatic air filters remove a high percentage of air pollutants.

Electronic filters are permanent, washable filters which rely on electricity to operate. The main advantage is that these filters are permanent. Some brands claim to remove up to 97 percent of particle from the air.

HEPA air filters are the most efficient replacement air filter and can remove over 99% of the total indoors pollutants. HEPA filters are commonly used in hospitals and anywhere else that requires the cleanest air possible.

Indoor air quality is important to monitor. Using quality replacement air filters will safely and effectively improve the quality of your air. Indoor air can be more than five times more polluted than outdoor air. Indoor air is continually recycled through the HVAC system as long as the system is on.

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a measure of how effective the filter is in stopping dust and contaminants. Air filters range from 1 to about 16. MERV is actually an industry standard rating, so it's a pretty good way to gauge a filters value.

Airborne particles are measured in microns. A micron is one 25,000th of an inch and a human hair is about 150 microns. The smallest particles that we can see are about 10 microns. Airborne allergens can be the cause of asthma and other respiratory illnesses and that's why it's so important to use replacement air filters that are the most effective at trapping dust and other household allergens.