Health related topics are in the news almost continuously maybe even to the point of overload.
In spite of having access to almost endless information on how to live better, healthier, longer , etc.
many people don't feel like they can't really do it.
Many times we perceive it will take too much work, time or money, this is not the case when it comes to using a good furnace filter.
Using a filter according to manufacturers recommendation takes little work, almost no time and not much money.
A good filter will cost more than the old cheap fiberglass variety but they provide benefits well worth the cost.
The cheapest filters are better than nothing and will help your system run better but won't improve indoor air pollution very much.
To help improve you and your families health you will need to become familiar with the term MERV Rating.
Basically the rating was developed to help standardize filter performance and provide a way for a consumer to compare and select the best filter for their needs.
In basic terms the higher the MERV rating the more particles a filter will capture and remove from the air.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioner Engineers, known as ASHRAE are the ones who came up with the MERV rating.
MERV is short for; Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and uses a scale from 0 to 16.
In this case more is better, up to a point.
The current recommendation from ASHRAE is that a filter with a MERV rating of 6 should be used in residential homes.
This would be a good starting point and they are the experts but some others recommend using filters with ratings up to 12.
If you or your family suffers from asthma, allergies or other respiratory issues it may take a higher efficiency filter to alleviate those symptoms.