Your home is spotless, you don’t own any pets, flowers are permanently banned indoors… and yet you still suffer from allergies, asthma and respiratory ailments. What else is left to do? Many allergy sufferers recommend trying a home air filtration system to catch the allergens and irritants before you inhale them.

Types of air filters

Here is an overview of your air filter options for allergy and asthma sufferers in Visalia, CA, and how to choose a filter or device to improve your indoor air quality.

• Mechanical: You’re likely already familiar with mechanical filters—they work by forcing air through a filter screen, which catches dust, pollen, pet dander, tobacco smoke and other irritants. HEPA filters are a popular type of mechanical filter, which are designed to catch any particle of 0.3 microns or larger. To make sure that your filter meets HEPA filtration standards, check the packaging carefully before purchasing. The filter needs to catch at least 90 percent of applicable particles to qualify as a HEPA filter.
• Electronic: These filters use electrostatic charges to attract and get rid of allergens and irritants. Look for a model with collecting plates and a fan, as they are the most effective at removing particles from the air.
• Hybrid: Hybrid models are a “best of both worlds” option, using both electronic and mechanical filtration methods to improve your indoor air quality.
• Ozone generators: Ozone generators are a little controversial, given that ozone can be harmful to humans in large concentrations. They’re not recommended by any of the major regulatory agencies in the United States for this reason, but some people find them effective. Ozone is supposed to clean the air (according to the manufacturers), but these types of filters don’t actually remove particles from the air. They’re not great air filters for eliminating allergens in Visalia, CA.
• Gas phase: Gas phase filters are designed to remove odors from the air, whether from paint, gas, perfume and cooking smells, but they don’t remove allergens. Skip this if you have respiratory problems.

How to choose an air filter that works for you

Now that you know the basic air filter types, all you have to do is find the right one for your situation. To make sure you’re getting exactly what you need, consider what you want your filter to remove from the air, whether it can clean a room every four to six minutes and whether it meets the HEPA standard. You should also consider how much noise the unit makes and how easy it is to change the filter. If you have trouble changing the filter, you probably won’t do it as often—and your filter won’t be as effective.

Another option is to add filtration systems to your HVAC unit. Talk to a professional about the options and upgrades available—there are many high-quality filters that can keep your whole home as allergen-free as possible.

Call McGee Refrigeration today to schedule an air conditioner and filtration appointment. We look forward to working with you soon!