Sometimes it can be hard to maintain good indoor air quality when you suffer from asthma. Just using a standard HVAC system without addons is often not enough. I have several air purifiers in my home and recently invested in a central dehumidifier that attaches to my air handler and runs even when the air conditioning is off. I keep my house spotless and clean but I have been noticing a lot of dust on surfaces within days of cleaning them. Granted, I live in a particularly dusty environment, but that’s what I rely on the HVAC system for, among other things. If it’s not filtering out the dust that collects in my house from outdoors, is something wrong with the system? I spoke with my HVAC supplier on the phone and they asked me what kind of filter I have been using in my air handler. When I told them I use a basic, flimsy filter—the ones you’re supposed to change monthly—they urged me to buy something more substantial and give that a try. I was always concerned of buying thicker filters for two primary reasons. The main one is air flow, as I always assumed that thicker filters block and hamper air flow which causes your machine to run harder. This raises your energy costs substantially. Assuming that was true, my next thought was wondering why I would spend $10 more for a “better” filter if it doesn’t add much filtration and simultaneously blocks air flow. The technician on the phone assured me that neither of my assumptions were true. Sure, there were filters in the past that drastically reduced air flow, but nowadays you could find many options that all offer significant filtration with efficient performance. I bought a special $15 allergen filter and gave it a shot. It has only been two weeks and I’m already picking up less dust when I clean and my breathing has improved even more. I won’t take my air conditioner filters for granted ever again.
The different types of thermostats