If you are struggling with seasonal allergies, and you feel that things have gotten worse since you turned the furnace on in your home, it may be time to change the filter. The air filter you have may be dirty and causing air quality concerns, so you might want to find an HVAC supply store to get the best filter for your current situation.

There are many filters at the HVAC supply store to choose from, and changing your filter is something easy to do on your own. Here are things to know when shopping for the right filter for your furnace.

Not All Filters Are Efficient

The filters for a furnace that you buy at a local home improvement store aren't all high quality and efficient.  You want to choose a filter that has a mid-range or high-efficiency particulate air rating (HEPA) to help keep heating costs to a minimum. The highest rating is 16, and you will have to decide what filter you want to invest in for the furnace in your home.

Polyester Is Best for Allergy Sufferers

A polyester filter can catch up to 95 percent of the pollutants that are in the air and flowing through your furnace and your home. This means trapping the mold spores, dander, and dust that will cause breathing complications and concerns throughout the house when the furnace is running. These will cost more than the synthetic fiber filter but are worth the cost if your allergies are a major concern. The polyester also should last longer than the cheaper synthetic fiber filters.

Buy in Bulk

The more frequently you change your filter the better the air quality you will have in your home. Look at the cost when you get to the supply store and ask the HVAC supplier what the cost would be for a case of filters. If they are willing to sell you a bulk amount of filters at a discounted rate, this can be an easy way to save money.

Be sure to write down the dimensions of the current filter you have if you aren't sure what size you need so that the HVAC supply store associates can help make sure that you get the right size for your new polyester filter. This is a great way to help your furnace run more efficiently, improve the air quality of your home, and get some allergy relief. 

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