An air filter is a critical part of maintaining a healthy environment for breathing. Your very first concern should be the quality of the air you and your family are breathing. However, the question remains which HVAC system filters you should be using? Therefore, to make your task a little bit simpler, we will guide you through the process of choosing an appropriate air filter that optimizes the effectiveness and operation of your HVAC system.
Why Do You Need an Air Filter for Your Home?
The air filter is the most crucial component when it comes to HVAC systems. Impurities like dust, hair, and even germs can all be removed with an air filter. This makes the air in your house healthier to breathe and keeps the HVAC system from getting damaged in the process. Therefore, an air filter is essential for your home.
Types of Air Filter
The most significant distinction in terms of air filter types is their capacity to remove different contaminants from the air in your house. Today, there are a plethora of air filters available on the market. That is why you must be familiar with the types of air filters available. There are essentially four primary types of air filters, each of which offers advantages in a distinct set of circumstances. The following outline each of these:
- Fiberglass Air Filter: A metal grate reinforces the glass strands of these filters. Mainly fiberglass fibers make up the glass. Due to their low cost, these filters are a popular HVAC air filter type.
- Pleated Filters: These filters are constructed of a cotton-polyester mixture or a specific synthetic material, and they are quite strong. If you’re looking for methods to clean your atmosphere, these filters are a wonderful choice.
- Hepa Filters: High-efficiency filter capable of removing up to 99.9% of indoor air pollutants and allergens. This is a great option for everyone who suffers from allergies and often uses an air conditioner.
- Electrostatic Filters: These filters produce static electricity by utilizing a blend of paper and cotton. This charge then works as an attraction and captures contaminants inside the filter. This prevents contamination from spreading in your house.
What to Consider Before Buying an Air Filter?
When deciding between the various kinds of air filters, there are a few things that you need to consider before making a decision. When you go to the store to make a purchase, you will find a great variety of distinct air filters that provide distinctive features. Therefore, let’s have a look at things you should consider before buying:
Objective
When choosing an air filter, you must first determine the reason for your purchase. If you use an air filter for both your home and workplace, as most people do, you should search for a compact and portable one rather than one that is big and heavy.
Quality
Invest in quality air filters from Custom Filters Direct. Their air filters come with very high-grade material. You need to choose the right size that suits your furnace or air conditioning unit.
MERV Rating
Your HVAC system’s filtration effectiveness is determined by the kind of air filter you choose for it. Checking the air filter’s MERV rating is the most effective method of doing so. The MERV scale ranges from one to twenty. The more efficient the HVAC system is, the greater the value.
Maintenance Cost
Long-lasting filters save replacement costs. A four-month filter change period is recommended. HEPA filters could last up to six months. Therefore, check the air filter’s maintenance cost before buying.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, you’ll be able to determine your options and make a very well purchase. If you are comparing features and costs, keep everything in proportion. When making a purchase, make careful to compare all of your options.
6 comments
Thank you for sharing such helpful info! The first you need to pay attention to when choosing a filter is the MERV rating. Like most ratings, the higher the number on the MERV scale, the higher the quality of the product (and the more effective it is in filtering the air). The filters that are recommended for residential HVAC systems are rated on a scale from 1 to 16. We have an article that will help you determine which MERV rating is the best for your home: https://happyhiller.com/blog/air-filtration-options/.
Every home owner must know about these things about air filter.
Good tips! Air filter that is right for your home can help your environment and your health. If you could decide which air filter is the best for your home and replace it with the right one on a regular basis, that would be a great start to energy efficient living.
Just love your ideas for home improvement.
Thank you for sharing such comprehensive and helpful guide! However, it seems like you didn’t mention carbon air filters. There are many advantages to using activated carbon filters. They are often the preferred method of indoor air filtration because: https://servicetoday247.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-carbon-air-filters/.
Definitely, a filter with a high MERV rating can improve HVAC efficiency. According to this article https://escoutah.com/breathe-easy-tips-improve-indoor-air-quality/, a pleated filter with a MERV rating in the 7 to 12 range would be enough for residential buildings. These higher-performing filters will catch smaller particles like dust, pollen, and mold spores and give relief to allergy and asthma sufferers.