Tag: Indoor Air Quality

Gift Mom the Gift of Fresh, Clean, Indoor Air

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Finding the perfect gift for Mom is often challenging, but OEM HVAC air filters from FilterShipping.com make a thoughtful (and surprisingly perfect) Mother’s Day gift.

When most people think of Mother’s Day gifts, they imagine flowers, chocolates, or a spa day. But if you’re looking to give something practical, thoughtful, and lasting, high-quality OEM HVAC air filters from FilterShipping.com are sure to show Mom that you care enough to give her the best.

They may not sound glamorous, but OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) air filters are tailored to fit HVAC systems precisely, ensuring peak performance, better energy efficiency, and cleaner indoor air. For mothers who value a healthy home environment—especially those with allergies, pets, or little ones—this gift shows you care about her comfort and well-being year-round.

Unlike generic filters, OEM filters maintain the manufacturer’s standards, helping to protect the HVAC system and extend its life. Plus, gifting a few months’ supply means fewer trips to the store and one less thing for her to worry about.

OEM HVAC filters are a unique, meaningful way to say “I love you” by literally helping Mom breathe easier. So don’t wait, go to FilterShipping.com and order today!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

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As spring showers continue, the impact on your home’s indoor air quality often goes unnoticed. Yet, the frequent spring rains can significantly affect the air we breathe indoors. From increased humidity levels to potential mold growth, the consequences of spring rains on indoor air quality are substantial. However, there’s help! Fresh air filters are an easy way to keep your home’s indoor air healthy.

Understanding the Impact of Spring Rains
With spring rains comes humidity, creating an optimal environment for mold and mildew to thrive. Moisture seeps into the home through various avenues, including leaky roofs, cracks in the foundation, or poorly sealed windows and doors. Once inside, it lingers, fostering the growth of mold spores which can trigger allergies and respiratory issues.

Moreover, damp conditions can also exacerbate the presence of dust mites, another common indoor allergen. Dust mites flourish in humid environments, proliferating in bedding, upholstery, and carpets, thus posing a continuous threat to indoor air quality.

The Role of Fresh Air Filters
Fresh air filters are defenders against the onslaught of pollutants ushered in by spring rains. These filters, installed within heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, serve as the first line of defense against airborne contaminants in the following ways:

  1. Removing Airborne Particles: Fresh air filters trap airborne particles, including mold spores, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, preventing them from circulating throughout the home.
  2. Enhancing Air Circulation: Efficient air filters facilitate better air circulation within the home, ensuring a constant flow of fresh air. This circulation aids in preventing stagnant air pockets where moisture and pollutants accumulate.
  3. Improving Respiratory Health: By capturing allergens and other airborne irritants, fresh air filters contribute to improved respiratory health. This is particularly beneficial for individuals prone to allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.

Maintenance and Care
To receive full benefits from fresh air filters, regular maintenance is important. Routine inspection and replacement of filters ensures optimal performance. It’s a great idea to have fresh replacement filters on hand at all times. Additionally, addressing any sources of moisture intrusion, such as leaky pipes or inadequate ventilation, complements the efforts of air filters in maintaining indoor air quality.

In conclusion, while spring rains may pose challenges to indoor air quality, the installation of fresh air filters is an easy and effective solution, especially when ordering from FilterShipping.com. Simply choose your filter from our extensive line of quality, OEM filters, and we’ll ship them right to your door.

Don’t wait until the spring rains get the best of your home’s indoor air, order from FilterShipping.com today!

Allergy Season and MERV Ratings

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As allergy season approaches, understanding MERV ratings in air filters becomes particularly important for maintaining indoor air quality and mitigating allergy symptoms. MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a standardized rating system used to measure the effectiveness of air filters in trapping airborne particles. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at capturing particles of various sizes. Here’s a breakdown of MERV ratings and their significance during allergy season:

  1. MERV Ratings Scale:
    • MERV ratings typically range from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating better filtration efficiency.
    • The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the air filter is at capturing smaller particles such as pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and even bacteria and viruses.
  2. Allergy Season Considerations:
    • During allergy season, airborne allergens like pollen and mold spores are prevalent outdoors and can easily find their way indoors through open windows and doors.
    • Using air filters with higher MERV ratings can help trap these allergens, preventing them from circulating in indoor air and exacerbating allergy symptoms.
  3. Choosing the Right MERV Rating:
    • For individuals with allergies or respiratory sensitivities, selecting air filters with MERV ratings between 8 and 13 is often recommended. These filters strike a balance between efficient particle capture and airflow resistance.
    • Filters with MERV ratings higher than 13 are typically used in environments with specific air quality requirements, such as hospitals, clean rooms, or industrial facilities.
  4. Balancing Filtration Efficiency and Airflow:
    • While higher MERV-rated filters offer superior filtration efficiency, they may also restrict airflow more than lower-rated filters. It’s essential to strike a balance between filtration performance and maintaining adequate airflow in HVAC systems.
    • HVAC systems with lower airflow due to highly restrictive filters may lead to reduced comfort, increased energy consumption, and potential strain on the system.
  5. Regular Filter Maintenance:
    • Regardless of the MERV rating, it’s crucial to regularly inspect and replace air filters regularly. Clogged or dirty filters can impede airflow and reduce filtration efficiency, compromising indoor air quality. When you order from FilterShipping.com, you will receive a reminder email when it’s time to reorder.
  6. Considerations for HVAC Systems:
    • Before upgrading to a higher MERV-rated filter, it’s essential to ensure that your HVAC system can accommodate the increased airflow resistance. Consult with an HVAC professional if you’re unsure about the compatibility of your system with higher-rated filters.

In summary, understanding MERV ratings and selecting appropriate air filters are essential steps in maintaining indoor air quality, especially during allergy season. Choosing filters with MERV ratings tailored to your specific needs can help reduce exposure to airborne allergens and improve overall comfort and well-being indoors. Click HERE for more information about MERV ratings.

COVID or Allergies?

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If you’re an allergy sufferer, you are all too familiar with the symptoms. Sneezing, coughing, congestion and a runny nose are just some of the unpleasant symptoms those who suffer from allergies experience every spring, fall, or both.

With a world-wide pandemic in place, suddenly allergy sufferers are facing the fear that those symptoms they are familiar with could also be symptoms of the debilitating and even deadly COVID-19.

How to tell the difference? Let’s break it down:

Allergy Symptoms*

  • Runny Nose, Stuffy Nose, Sneezing
  • Wheezing, Shortness of Breath
  • Cough
  • Rashes
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea and Vomiting (food allergies)

COVID-19 Symptoms**

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

It’s pretty obvious that there is overlap in the symptoms of allergies and COVID-19. But how do you tell the difference?

The number one differentiating symptom is fever or chills. Despite its nickname “Hay Fever,” fever is NOT a symptom of allergies. If you have a fever and you suspect you might have been exposed to COVID-19, please seek medical attention immediately.

If you are experiencing any of the overlapping symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath and headache, the picture is not so clear. Most allergy sufferers have their stand-by treatments they use to get through allergy seasons, so if those treatments do not provide relief, please seek medical advice. The COVID-19 virus is nothing to trifle with, so if you are an allergy sufferer, please educate yourself on how to stay healthy during the fall allergy season/COVID-19 pandemic. More information on both allergies and COVID-19 can be found here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-seasonal-allergies-faqs.html

To protect yourself from seasonal allergies, the CDC recommends limiting your exposure to outdoor air when possible. They also recommend creating a cleaner indoor air environment in your home. One recommendation is to use HEPA or MERV-13 or higher air filters. Not sure what you need for your home and HVAC system? FilterShipping can help with that. Give us a call at 815-568-9300, or check out our website, www.filtershipping.com. We want you and your family to be as healthy as possible until this pandemic recedes.

*Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, www.acaai.org/allergies/symptoms

**Source: Center for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html