Your central air system requires proper maintenance, and one of the elements that you should constantly monitor and replace is your air filters. These replaceable parts play a critical role in determining your indoor air quality, making them an element you must never ignore for your household’s comfort and health. Here are five factors to consider when buying air filters for your home.
Size
Knowing the size of the air filter that your system needs is critical as this determines whether the model you buy will be a perfect fit or not. Luckily, you do not have to make any guesses, as all you have to do is use the printed filter measurements in your unit. Typically, the nominal size of your air filter will be in large print, while the actual size will be in small print. If you cannot find these measurements in your current filter, use a measuring tape to find its exact width, length, and depth. These parts are generally standardized and come in popular sizes, such as the 14x20x1 air filter that is readily available online.
The type of air filter
You need to be aware that there are different types of air filters in the market and the most popular ones are:
- Pleated filters: These air filters are made from pliable materials that are folded to capture more air particles. They are designed to last an average of 90 days, making them more efficient in any living environment.
- Fiberglass filters: These air filters are made of spun glass and designed to last an average of 30 days. They tend to be less expensive and less efficient than pleated filters as they block a smaller percentage of air particles.
- Electronic filters: These filters work by using high-voltage electricity to charge dirt particles before attracting them to a grounded surface.
- Electrostatic filters: These filters use electrostatic fibers to attract dirt particles via electro-forces and remove them from an airstream.Original vs aftermarket
The increasing number of gadgets for improving indoor air quality has led to many questions on whether their replacement parts should come from the original brand or aftermarket manufacturers. Both original and aftermarket parts can offer you the value you desire, with the primary difference being on pricing. In many cases, air filters from the same brand as your unit will cost more than aftermarket models that offer equal or better functionality.
Filter performance
You need to evaluate an air filter’s expected performance by evaluating vital metrics such as the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating or clean air delivery rate (CADR) rating. The essence of these metrics is to determine the effectiveness of an air filter in trapping air particles, and the higher the rating, the more efficient the system.
Expected home air quality
You face potential health problems if you ignore air filter replacement. Nevertheless, your expected home air quality needs to determine how frequently you replace your air filters. You will need frequent replacements if:
- You or your loved ones have breathing problems or allergies caused by air pollutants
- You have pets, little children, or elderly persons in the house
Endnote
Your in-house airflow needs to be a top priority and knowing how to pick the right air filter for your home is a necessary step.
2 comments
Also, remember that any air filter with a MERV rating higher than 13 will restrict airflow, which could make your HVAC system work harder and consume more energy.
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 is the best for a home. This filter will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without increasing energy costs.
Thank you for posting such helpful information! Choosing the right filter is very important from the point of view of ensuring good air quality in the house. Poor indoor air quality can cause many health problems: https://integrityheating-cooling.com/mokena/heating/air-quality-mokena.