Selecting the Best Air Filter for Allergies

Air Filter for Allergies

Over the years, Galmiche & Sons has performed many routine maintenance cleanings on HVAC systems around the St. Louis area. While professional HVAC system maintenance and cleaning is an important step to reduce allergens in the home, it is not an all-encompassing way to sufficiently eliminate allergens in the home. For those who are especially sensitive to allergens, selecting an air filter for allergies can help remove even the smallest particles from the air, helping your family to breathe easier year round despite allergies.

Galmiche & Sons offers a wide range of advanced systems and specialized air filters for allergies. Yet, how do you go about choosing the right one? Our St. Louis Heating and Air Conditioning experts can help you compare your options and learn what to look for when choosing an ideal system.

Air Filters Available for Allergies

Even if you keep up HVAC maintenance and changing your air filter on a regular basis, you might find there is still some sneezing going on in your home. This is not necessarily a signal that your HVAC requires cleaning. It is more than likely your air filter is not doing enough to capture all the allergens present in your home.

Air filters are available with a range of MERV ratings. These ratings signify what types of particles and allergens the filter is capable of filtering. When choosing the best air filter for allergies, it is important to consider your family and the severity as well as what types of allergies they may suffer from. Below we have included a list to give you an idea of the different options available.

Understanding Air Filters and MERV Ratings

Rating 1 thru 4 – Window units typically have filter screens in this range. These are capable of capturing the larger particles you can see, such as:

Pollen and dust mites
Carpet and textile fibers
Sawdust and more

Rating 5 thru 8 – If you have a central HVAC system with a basic filter, there is a good chance that the air filter falls within this range. These are not the most efficient air filter for allergies. However, they will filter everything mentioned above, along with the following:

Mold spores and debris from dust mites
Pet dander and dusting/polishing aids
Hairspray and fabric protectors

Rating 9 thru 12 – These are advanced air filters for allergies that capture all of the above, as well as the following:

Legionella (a pneumonia causing bacteria)
Humidifier dust (“white dust” found in water minerals)
Lead dust and particles from car emissions

Rating 13 thru 16 – This grade of filter is the best air filter for allergies. Often found in hospital HVAC systems, it is easy to see why they are considered the best. They capture all of the above-mentioned allergens, along with many tiny particles you are unable to see, such as:

99% of bacteria
Germs passed from sneezing
Cooking oil fumes and smoke
Most insecticides and paint pigments

Let Galmiche & Sons Help You Find the Right Air Filter for Your Allergies

Selecting the Best Air Filter for Allergies

With so many options on the market today, it can be difficult to compare the pros and cons of each filter option. For example, naturally, an air filter with the strongest MERV rating of 13-16 comes with an increase in price. However, this may offer more than is needed in your home when it comes to simply choosing an air filter for allergies. For most homeowners, a lower rating likely offers sufficient coverage. Our St. Louis heating and cooling experts can discuss this with you, along with our HVAC maintenance packages that are a cost-effective solution for improving indoor air quality in your home.