Here in the Houston and Sugarland area using the air conditioner in to the fall months is not unheard of. With temperatures still averaging above 80 degrees everyday it is still a must to keep our homes and businesses comfortable. Although cooler temperatures are coming around it is important to make sure we are doing what we can to keep our a/c unit healthy. A great way to do this is to change your filter and consider upgrading to a better quality filter. Here are some helpful facts to get the best filter for your unit.

Check the MERV Rating

This is a standard rating system that helps you compare a filters efficiency from different manufacturers on a scale of 1 (low)-16(high). The higher the MERV rating the better the filter performs at removing small particulates from the air in your home. Be careful though, your a/c system is set to perform best with a particular MERV rating so call your a/c technician to check on what your system requires.

Pets

If you have pets they may be spending more time inside as the weather gets cooler and wetter outdoors. For the best results look for filters that specifically address pet dander and pet hair. This will keep your system cleaner and the air quality in your home better. However, remember that you may need to change your filter more often with indoor pets.

Reusable/Washable Filters

Making sure to keep these clean is very important. Once a month they should be rinsed off and dried before putting them back in your system. These filters are more costly but do have a longer use spanning 5 years on average. They do not perform as well as some filters concerning small particulates but can be a great way to save money on your filter needs.