Finding the Right Air Filter for Your Home

The right air filter can help you achieve good air quality in your home. It can also help increase the efficiency of your HVAC system. However, using the wrong air filter has some consequences. The wrong air filter can cause harm to your HVAC system and even cause it to fail. 

So, how do you know which air filter is right for your home? Let’s get started by looking at the common air filter types:

Common Types of Air Filters

Fiberglass Filters

These are the most common, do the bare minimum, are cheap, and easily replaced

Electrostatic Filters

One type of air conditioning filter is an electrostatic filter. This filter uses static electricity to attract and capture dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants. Electrostatic filters are highly effective at removing these contaminants from the air. In addition, you can reuse these filters after cleaning. However, they are more expensive than other types of filters and require regular maintenance to keep them working properly.

Pleated Filters

Pleated filters are another type of air conditioning filter that you can use in your home. These filters are made with pleated paper that helps to trap dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants. You can reuse pleated filters after cleaning. They do not require as much maintenance as electrostatic or HEPA filters. However, you must replace them more often than other filters.

HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) Filters

Another type of air conditioning filter is a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. These filters can remove up to 99.97% of all airborne contaminants that are 0.3 microns or larger. Hospitals and other medical facilities use HEPA filters because of their ability to remove such a high percentage of contaminants from the air. However, they are also more expensive than other filters and need to be replaced more frequently.

Steps for Choosing and Replacing Your Air Filter

Now, it’s time to replace your air filter. The first thing you need to do is check your existing filter and get the dimensions of it. Then, write it down. You wouldn’t want to go all the way to the store to get a new filter and then draw a blank when you get there. 

After you take down the dimensions, you’ll have to choose the air filter type. The performance will be affected by the size and density of the material you choose. The cheapest and least efficient filter is the fiberglass filters.  The more efficient filters are the polyester and pleated filters. These filters provide a greater surface area to trap particles. 

How Often Should You Change Your Air Filters?

A clean filter allows air to pass through your HVAC unit freely, without the blower fan working overtime to draw air in through a clogged filter.  By replacing your air filter every 3-6 months, you decrease any strain on your HVAC system and prolong the lifespan of the unit while decreasing overall operating costs. Moreover, by catching dust and debris, a clean air filter keeps your air ducts from filling with dust and allergens, reducing contaminants circulating in your home’s air.

MERV Rating

Most air filters are labeled with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting (MER) rating number. This rating number tells you what the filter’s ability to remove particles out of the air like dust, dirt, pollen, etc. The higher the number, the better the filter is at that. A MERV rating can range anywhere from 1 to 20. If the filter has a rating of 17 to 20, it’s considered a HEPA filter. These filters are most commonly found in commercial settings like hospitals.  Learn more about air filter MERV rating from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

There are many things you need to consider when deciding what kind of air filter you would like for your home. If you’re still unsure about what air filter is right for your home, call the professionals at Air Rescue by calling 813 612- 5600 or contact us online. Our technicians are experts in air filtration systems, providing indoor air quality services across Tampa Bay Aria. We can help you find the right one.