If you’re struggling with allergies in Crossville, selecting the right air filter is a crucial step in improving your home’s air quality and minimizing seasonal allergy symptoms. At Crossville Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help you choose the best air filter for your needs—whether it’s for your HVAC system or a portable air purifier.
When it comes to reducing allergy symptoms, the right air filter makes all the difference. Allergens like dust, pollen, and pet dander can be tiny, but their size varies, which affects how well filters can remove them from your indoor air.
We recommend focusing on two key ratings when selecting an air filter: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) and Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR).
For best results, follow the 2/3 Rule: the CADR of the filter should be two-thirds of your home’s square footage. So, for a 1,200-square-foot home, you’d want a filter with a CADR of at least 800.
The higher the CADR, the faster the clean air circulates. Here’s a comparison of various air filters:
Your filter’s material and construction directly affect its performance. While higher-performing filters may cost more, the investment is well worth it for allergy sufferers.
Here’s a look at how different air filter materials compare:
Fiberglass Air Filters
These are the most common and affordable filter type, but they capture less than 10% of allergens. For allergy sufferers, they’re not the best option.
Pleated Fiberglass Air Filters
These filters have an extra layer of cotton and polyester to boost filtration. They’re more effective than standard fiberglass filters, capturing 20% to 50% of allergens, depending on their MERV and CADR ratings.
HEPA Air Filters
HEPA filters are the gold standard for allergy relief, removing up to 98% of airborne pollutants. They work well in portable air purifiers, HVAC systems, and whole-house air purifiers. While they’re more expensive and require powerful fans, HEPA filters deliver top-notch performance. Be sure to check with a Crossville Heating & Cooling technician to see if a HEPA filter is compatible with your HVAC system.
While HEPA filters are the most effective, they may not fit in all HVAC systems. Consult your system’s manual or contact the manufacturer to find the highest-rated filter your system supports. If HEPA isn’t an option, look for a high MERV-rated filter, and consider using a portable air purifier for additional allergy relief.
Allergies don’t have to ruin your day. With the right air filter, you can improve your home’s air quality and enjoy relief from seasonal allergies.
Our friendly, professional technicians at Crossville Heating & Cooling can help you choose the right filter for your system and recommend other air quality improvements. Call us today to make your Crossville home a more comfortable, allergy-friendly place to live!
Upgrading your HVAC system brings many benefits. It boosts energy efficiency and improves air quality. It also makes your home more comfortable and helps control the temperature better.
An air handler is a device that moves conditioned air in your home. It's key to your HVAC system, working with your air conditioner or heat pump to spread cool or warm air.
No, air conditioners don't use gas. They run on electricity. The refrigerant helps cool the air, not as fuel.
If your HVAC system is over 15 years old, it's time for a change. Newer systems are more energy-efficient and cost less to run.
The main parts of an air handler are the blower or fan, evaporator coil, heating elements, air filter, and dampers. These parts work together to take in, condition, and send air through your home.
Air conditioners cool air using refrigerants that change state easily. The cycle includes evaporation, compression, condensation, and expansion. This process cools the air inside.
Upgrades like high-efficiency air filters and air purifiers help remove pollutants and allergens. This makes the air in your home healthier to breathe.
The air handler goes through a cycle to send conditioned air through your home. It starts by pulling in air from your home. This air then goes through the air filter and gets cooled or heated. Finally, it's sent back into your home through the ducts.
"Air conditioning" means cooling and conditioning the air in a space. "Air conditioner" is the device that cools the air.
Smart thermostats make your HVAC system work better and smarter. They connect to Wi-Fi, adjust temperatures automatically, track energy use, and let you control it from anywhere. This saves energy and makes your home more comfortable.
There are three main types of air handlers: residential, commercial, and make-up air units. Residential air handlers are small and work with air conditioners or heat pumps. Commercial air handlers are big and complex, used in large buildings. Make-up air units focus on improving indoor air quality in certain settings.
"Central air" is a heating system. "Central AC" cools and spreads air. "Central heat" includes both cooling and heating systems.
Upgrading ductwork makes your HVAC system more efficient. It ensures air reaches every room and reduces air leaks. This means better heating and cooling throughout your home.
Air handlers keep your home comfortable and healthy. They control temperature and humidity, improve air quality, and help your HVAC system work better.
"Recharging" means adding refrigerant to keep the air conditioner working right. It's not fuel but a cooling medium.
An HVAC zoning system lets you control temperatures in different areas of your home. This means each room stays at the perfect temperature, saving energy and improving comfort.
Common air handler problems include clogged air filters, broken blower motors, and leaky ducts. These issues can make your HVAC system less efficient and make your home uncomfortable.
Evaporative coolers cool air by evaporating water, unlike traditional air conditioners. They're more efficient, needing less power for cooling.
An ERV is a device that moves heat and moisture between fresh and stale air. This improves air quality and reduces energy use, cutting down on your bills.
Keep your air handler running well by cleaning or replacing the air filter, checking the blower motor and other parts for damage, and fixing any duct leaks. Follow the maker's maintenance schedule to make your air handler last longer.
Types include central air, ductless mini-splits, and heat pumps. Central air uses ducts for cooling. Ductless systems have no ducts. Heat pumps cool and heat, like air conditioners but also reverse the cycle.
Good insulation stops heat from escaping or entering your home. This means your HVAC system works less hard, saving energy and money.
Think about the size and capacity to fit your home's needs, energy efficiency ratings (like SEER), and noise levels when picking an air handler. A professional HVAC contractor can help you choose the right one for your home.
Electricity is key for air conditioners. It powers the compressor and fan motors. Without it, air conditioners can't cool the air.
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