Allergies don’t always go away in fall and winter, and in fact, they can increase as new pollens, like ragweed, take over the air. Dust inside the home is also a concern because your windows are more likely to be shut to keep out cold air. This means you need a furnace filter that also provides sufficient allergen filtering to keep you feeling well along with keeping you warm. Here are four of the best furnace filter features to look for when you go to buy one.

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value

The minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV, describes how efficient the filter is a catching and trapping airborne pollutants. The bigger the number, the better the filter is at stopping particles in the air. For example, MERV 7 or 8 can trap 80 to 95 percent of the particles in the air that are over 5 microns in size. However, for allergen-trapping purposes, a MERV of 11 is more desirable.

Microparticle Performance Rating

Microparticle performance rating, or MPR, is specific to 3M-brand filters. It describes the filter’s ability to trap particles that are 0.3 to 1.0 microns. As with MERV, a higher MPR equals better trapping. Filters with MPRs go up to at least 1900.

Pleated Filters

If a filter is pleated, meaning the surface goes up and down instead of just being flat, then there’s more filtration surface in the filter. It has the ability to trap yet more particles than a flat filter.

Electrostatic Filters

These filters catch dust particles with an electrical charge, similar to those dust cloths that pick up all the dust they come into contact with. If you have dust allergies, you may want to look for this type specifically, but talk to your allergist first.

Finding the right furnace filter does not have to be difficult. Many manufacturers make strong and high-efficiency filters that are meant to stop pollutants from circulating in your home. With the help of a filter furnace company and your allergist, you should be able to find the right filter for your home quickly.