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What is the one thing you’ve forgotten to do this Fall?

The Air Filter: it’s inexpensive and extremely important. Yet, how often do we forget to replace the air filters in our home? Your family’s health could depend on that filter. A good quality air filter that has been changed on-time is a key to your family breathing good quality air and your HVAC working efficiently. Next time you head out to run errands, consider purchasing several air filters so they are waiting and ready to go. Set a monthly reminder in your smart phone so you can make sure your air filters are replaced monthly and your home is at optimum performance. When you look to purchase an air filter, look at the MERV rating. The MERV (or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a scale that tells you how much your air filter is blocking particulates. The higher the number, the more effective that filter is working. Air filter choices on the market today come in a variety of materials and price points. Here are the most popular options you might be considering. Fiberglass air filters: These are cheap filters that are disposable and can be found at discount stores and home improvement stores. They have a very low MERV rating of 2-3. They capture only about 10% of your home’s pollutants and do nothing to help improve the air quality of your home. Washable filters: These filters made of aluminum mesh and are washed off once a month. They have a low MERV rating of 1-4 and can promote growth such as fungi and bacteria. Pleated filters: These filters are made of cotton and polyester. The pleats increase the surface area and filter out up to 45% of particulates. They receive a MERV rating of 8-13. High-efficiency filters: These thick filters remove up to 85% of particulates from the home and receive a MERV rating of 14-16. If you have questions about the type of air filter that would be best for your home and your family, contact us at Spencer Air Conditioning and Heating at (972) 446-COOL (2665) or by logging on to spencerairconditioning.com to find out more.