Learn how to reduce asthma and allergy symptoms with an AC or furnace filter

It's not just trees and grasses that can wreak havoc with your asthma, the air quality inside your home can also trigger symptoms. If you have pets, pollen, dust or mold spores being circulated throughout your rooms, life can be uncomfortable indeed. Luckily, there are simple ways to alleviate indoor allergens, and they begin and end with your HVAC system. Today's heating and cooling systems do more than just adjust room temperature, they can be a first-line defense for anyone in your home who suffers from asthma.

Reduce asthma and allergy symptoms with a furnace filter

MERV Ratings

MERV ratings or Minimum Efficiency Ratings Value, are numbers assigned to air filters to determine their efficiency when it comes to removing particulates from the air. Higher MERV ratings translate into better, more efficient, filters. These ratings are expressed in numbers from one to 20, each responsible for removing various types of allergens.

• MERV 1-4: Filters with MERV ratings of 1 to 5 are generally capable of removing only large particulates such as carpet fibers, dust mites, pollen, dust and textiles fibers.
• MERV 5-8: MERV 5 to 8 filters routinely capture mold spores, hairspray and even the dust from cement.
• MERV 9-12: MERV 9 to 12 filters can remove exhaust fumes, lead dust and some types of bacteria.
• MERV 13-16: Filters that boast MERV ratings of 13 to 16 can remove tobacco smoke, all types of bacteria and even the residue left lingering in the air from a sneeze.

Higher MERV ratings also mean higher price tags, and in some cases more energy consumption as the unit encounters more resistance when pulling air in, but for comfort from severe allergies, they're a solid investment.

If you or a family member has asthma, installing a higher rating filters in your home could be a solution. Whether as part of a heating and cooling system or as part of an actual air purifier, the furnace filter in your home are capable of trapping and keeping many allergens away from your loved ones.