Typical air vs. spike days
- Annual average PM2.5 (8.10 µg/m³) reflects usual daily exposure.
- Worst-day peak PM2.5 (24.86 µg/m³) is what filtration must handle during bad-air events.
Sections below reference one or both metrics on purpose — that is how HVAC vs. portable guidance differs for Dublin without contradicting EPA-aligned thresholds.
Seasonal Loads and Filter Wear
Pollen and mold are the primary loads on local air filters. In central Ohio, the Scioto River corridor contributes to high humidity levels, which can drive mold growth in late summer and fall. Tree pollen in the spring and ragweed in the autumn create a heavy biological load that physically blocks air filters. These particles are much larger than PM2.5, but they clog filter media quickly. When a filter is caked with local pollen, it restricts airflow, forcing your blower motor to work harder and reducing its ability to capture the finer 8.1 µg/m³ baseline particles that circulate year-round.
Technician's Filter Recommendations
For Dublin homes, a MERV 11 filter is the minimum baseline for effective filtration. However, because the ozone peak hits 0.0804 ppm, I recommend a filter with an activated carbon layer to help neutralize odors and gaseous pollutants. If anyone in the home has respiratory issues, upgrade to a MERV 13 to handle the 24.86 µg/m³ PM2.5 spikes. Change these filters every 60 to 90 days. In this region, humidity can cause dust to cake on the filter surface faster than in drier climates. If you notice the filter looking grey or beginning to bow inward, it is already overdue for a change. A clean MERV 11 is always more effective than a clogged MERV 13.