This topic’s exploration is all about cleaning your air. In the past we looked at the benefits of simply moving your air and how simply opening your windows can lead to over two-times the amount of fresh air in your home. But sometimes we can’t open our windows (hello Minnesota) - what then? Filters.

What is MERV?

First, let’s talk about MERV. The Minimum Efficiency Rating Value is the standard measure for how much dust (and other stuff) a filter can remove from the air that passes through it. The most common filters have a MERV rating of 8, which can capture particles as small as 3 microns (at a rate of ~85%, meaning some particles still pass through). That’s about the size of a spider’s web. Anything smaller than 3 microns will pass through the filter, until the filter becomes clogged (more on that later). That may seem sufficient, but the most harmful particles are 2.5 microns, also known as PM2.5. These particles are small enough to penetrate the alveolar wall in your lungs and may even enter your bloodstream. That seems clearly bad for your health. But filtering those particles is easy - use a filter with a higher MERV rating. A MERV 13 filter can capture particles as small as one micron at a rate of ~85%. Adding a carbon filter can filter Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which includes formaldehyde and a bevy of endocrine disruptors. I recommend a MERV 12+carbon filter, or a MERV 13 filter; most home furnaces cannot handle MERV 14 or higher. A denser filter may put too much strain on your blower, shortening its life and costing you a lot to have replaced. Switching your filter is easy and the additional cost is minimal (a MERV 8 filter costs ~$8, while a MERV 13 filter is ~$9, depending on where you shop).

If you’re not sure where to start, just follow these steps:

1. Check your current furnace filter for size and MERV rating.

2. Go online to Nordic Pure, or your preferred big box store.

3. Find the filter that matches your own and get enough for the year (usually 3 or 6 filters)

4. Anxiously anticipate their arrival in the mail, then slide the new filter in, facing the arrow in the same direction as your previous filter.

One note: if you shop at a big box store, you may see a rating called FPR, Filter Performance Rating. This is the store’s way of translating MERV ratings to something they feel is more understandable. An FPR of 10 is equivalent to a MERV of 13, while an FPR of 5 equals a MERV of 7. My suggestion is to only look for the MERV rating, as that standard has been tested over and over again in many environments, while the FPR rating is primarily a marketing tool. You may also find filters there to be more expensive.

Change your home filters often

Finally, your filter should be changed every three months, at minimum. If you have a particularly dusty home, open your windows often, or have multiple pets, you may find that changing your filter every two months gives you better performance. Here’s why this is important: if your filter is full of dust and dander and whatnot, then it begins to filter not just more particles (which is good), but also slows down air movement (which is bad). Less air movement means more stagnant, stale air in your living spaces and a higher accumulation of dust, which creates a cycle of poor air quality (less air flow leads to more dust which leads to less air flow). You may find the first new filter needs to be changed after one month, then again after 2 months, and then settles into a regular cycle of every 3 months.

Clean Water in your home is Important as well

More, clean air is a critical component of maintaining a healthy home. In addition to air filters, you can also add water filters to either your main water line or at individual sinks. Water filters are more expensive than air filters, but can eliminate all sorts of potential bacteria, viruses, and VOCs from your water. If you have smelly or discolored water, I highly recommend a water line filter. If you have to chose between a water filter or better air filters, I suggest an air filter. Here’s why: the recommended water consumption per day is between 64-128 ounces, or 1.9-3.8 liters per day. This is recommended, but we all know it doesn’t always happen. However, you always consume the necessary amount of air, which is 7-8 liter per minute. That’s up to 11,000 liters of air per day. Therefore, your exposure to air is ~2,894 times greater than your exposure to water. It’s not quite this simple, but it’s one big reason to choose air filters over water filters (search “Conceptual Model for Exposure-Related Disease”, if you’re into that sort of thing).

Architectural Design Group in Minnesota is leading the way for Healthy Living

If you still have questions or want to know more about how to integrate these strategies and more into your home, reach out today. I’m always excited to discuss ways you can make your home healthier. If you’re in the market for a home remodel - from a new kitchen to a new addition - give ADG a chance and we can help you cultivate a healthy space.

P.S. you can download our Healthy Home Guide, here.