Instantly Improve Air Quality and Allergies with a 20x20x1 Air Filter

February 5, 2016

Using MERV Ratings to Select the Best HVAC Air Filter

Whether you need a better 20x20x1 air filter in your home to protect your families air quality or you need an excellent air filter for your allergies, you can trust Atomic Filters has used our experience and expertise to help provide you with the best information to make the best purchasing decision.

How to Quickly Evaluate Filters with MERV Ratings

What is MERV and How Does it Help me Choose a Better Air Filter for My Allergies? The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating system was designed to help tell how well an air filter(also known as an AC filter or furnace filter) removes particles from the air. Higher rated filters are more efficient at removing a larger percentage of smaller particles from the air each time it passes through the filter.

What is MERV rating of the filter in your home? You may not even know because, more often than not, the company that services your HVAC system replaces the air filters during the service call.

Where is you air filter located? In many homes, each air return has a grill that opens so that you can replace your air filter(Your filter may be in the furnace instead of in a return grill in the wall). Depending on the size of your home you may have one air return to several.

Good air filters can protect the air quality in your home and do not have to be expensive. You can buy 20x20x1 Air filters in bulk(a case of six) and save a considerable amount over what you may pay at ACE Hardware, Home Depot, Walmart or Lowes for a single filter.

The EPA says about MERV 6 is the level that begins to protect air quality, so MERV 8 is a good minimum level for an air filter if you want to begin to protect your air quality. A minimum of MERV 11 is usually recommended for allergy suffers. MERV 13 is usually found in high end residential, hospital common areas, and high end commercial building that are LEED certified. A 20x20x1 air filter MERV 13, is considered an excellent air filter for allergies.

Huge Discounts on Authentic MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 Filters

Air Filter MERV Ratings Simplified

MERV Ratings and Allergen Particle Sizes

To choose the most effective 20x20x1 AC filter for your allergies, it's useful to understand common household allergens and their particle sizes. Some of the most prevalent allergens found in homes include:

Pollen: Ranging from 10 to 1000 microns in size, pollen is a common seasonal allergen.
Dust mites and dust mite debris: These microscopic arachnids feed on dead skin cells. Dust mite allergens are typically around 10–40 microns in size.
Pet dander: Pet dander consists of tiny flakes of skin shed by animals. Most dander particles are around 5-10 microns, although they can be as small as 2.5 microns.
Mold spores: Mold thrives in damp, poorly ventilated areas and releases spores that can trigger allergic reactions. Mold spores typically range from 3 to 40 microns in size.
Cockroach allergens: Droppings and body parts can be potent allergens, particularly in urban areas. These allergens are typically larger than 10 microns in size.

Choose a 20x20x1 air filter with a suitable MERV rating to effectively capture these allergens. MERV 11 filters capture more than 65% of particles 1 to 3 microns in size and more than 80% of particles 3 to 10 microns.

MERV 13 filters capture even more of these tiny allergens, filtering more than 50% of particles 0.3 to 1.0 microns in size, more than 85% of particles 1.0 to 3.0 microns, and more than 90% of particles 3.0 to 10 microns.

The Best AC Filter for Pet Allergies

If you have pets, choosing the best AC filter for allergies and pets is crucial. Pet allergies, including allergies to dogs and cats, are caused by dander, microscopic skin particles the animal sheds and which accumulate in your home's air.

When selecting a 20x20x1 air conditioner filter, opt for a MERV rating of 11 or higher. These filters capture smaller particles like pet dander, ensuring cleaner, healthier air for you and your family.

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Home Air Filters: What You Need to Know Simplified

We are going to give you a simple way to pick the right air filter for your home because choosing the best air conditioner filter for your allergies can sometimes be a confusing task. The simple reason is that most people are not experts on their heating and air conditioning systems and generally rely on the recommendation of the company that services their HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) equipment.

What contaminants are in the air in my home

How Do 20 x 20 x 1 Air Filters Reduce Allergens and Improve Air Quality?

20x20x1 Air filters are designed to fit into your HVAC system, trapping particles as air passes through the filter material. High-quality 20x20x1 air filters, such as MERV 11 or higher, can capture smaller particles like allergens and significantly reduce allergy symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

What Type of Air Filter Do I Have in My Home?

The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating system was designed to help tell how well an air filter removes particles from the air. When checking the furnace filter in the wall grill or furnace you may be able to see the MERV rating listed on the filter. When replacing filters, I see a lot of contractors use a cheap flat panel air filter with no MERV rating or a very low MERV rating. I have asked contractor many times when they put that filter in over the years and the answer is always the same. "This is the kind of air filter and I use is my self, those expensive air filters are a waste of money". Most people do not know much about how their HVAC system works so they just rely on what their contractor says. Basically, all these cheap air filters do is protect your HVAC equipment from large dust and lint. Essentially the cheap air filters with no MERV ratings can be so porous that particles that can damage your HVAC equipment, can pass right through the filter. According to the CDC, good air filters can protect the air quality in your home and do not have to be expensive.

What Kind Of Air Filter Do I Need to Protect the Air in My Home?

MERV 13 20x20x1 air filter for allergies

Is indoor air pollution really a problem? The EPA says indoor air quality(IAQ) can be 200% to 500% more polluted than the air outside. According to the CDC "Poor indoor air quality comes from many sources. It can lead to having
lung diseases such as asthma. It can also cause headaches,
dry eyes, nasal mucus, nausea and tiredness. People who already have
lung problems have a greater chance of having these symptoms."

In order to protect the air in your home, the EPA says air filter rating of MERV 7 to 13 is needed. Air filter rating of 1 to 6 is basically to protect the HVAC equipment.

Signs Your 20x20 Air Filter Needs Replacing

To maintain optimal air quality and HVAC performance, you should regularly replace your 20x20 air filter. Some signs that indicate it's time for a replacement include:

Increased allergy symptoms: If you notice a sudden increase in allergy symptoms, your filter may be clogged and no longer effectively trapping allergens.
Reduced airflow: A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing the HVAC system to work harder and increasing energy bills and system wear.
Visible dirt and debris: If you see a visible accumulation of dirt, dust, or pet hair on your filter, it's time for a replacement.