If you are interested in having clean air in your home, you probably already know that it is important to clean the air ducts and change your filters on a regular basis. The number of filters that you need to buy will depend on the number of vents that you have and the type of HVAC system that you have.

When you buy filters You will need to consult the owner's manual of your HVAC system to find the proper size. you should take quality into consideration. You should always buy filters in bulk because you will need to replace them every month. You should be able to change the filters yourself.

There are many different sizes of filters and you will have to know what sizes of filter your system will take. The size should be written on each one of your filters or you may have to measure them. Your owner’s manual may also have the sizes you will need listed.

You will also have to determine the quality of the filter you want to buy. Filters are graded by the MERV Rating System. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Filters for homes are rated on a MERV scale of 1 to 20. The higher the number the better the quality. Generally higher quality filters are thicker and they are made from cloth rather than fiberglass. A higher-quality filter can trap smaller particles. 

You can consult the MERV rating chart to see which filters are right for your system. Most HVAC professionals will recommend a filter with a rating of 8 to 13 for your home. Filters with a rating of 8 to 13 will remove major debris such as pollen, mites, and carpet fibers. They will also remove many types of dust that are typically in the air, such as legionella and humidifier dust. It can also trap most viruses and bacteria. 

If you have asthma or you live with smokers, you will want to get filters with a rating of 11 to 13. Filters that are rated over 14 are designed for office buildings such as hospitals, clean rooms, and pharmacies.

Filters rated from 1 to 4 will only capture the very largest particles and are not recommended for home use. If you are on a budget, filters with a MERV quality of 6 will filter out major debris. These filters come in cartridges or pleated forms and actually trap debris in their pleats. They are disposable and they are often made from cotton. 

The quality of the filter you buy will also depend on the kind of air conditioning system you have. There are some HVAC systems that will not be able to house a higher grade of a filter. If you use too high a grade of filter it can damage your AC system and it can actually restrict the airflow in your house.

Unlike other forms of home maintenance, replacing your filters is usually very easy. You can buy them online in bulk. You do not have to worry about hiring anyone to replace your filter, you can do it yourself. The company that you buy the filters from should have a large selection and an educated staff that can help you.