Various Types Of Air conditioning Filters

The air filters in your HVAC system are the very first and most effective measure in protecting your heating and cooling system. Any Heating and air conditioning expert will tell you to swap your filters often. Using fresh filters will significantly extend its life span and this preventative maintenance can save you money on repairs or down the road. Not to forget to mention, they help keep up the air quality in your home.

While some products claim to be effective for ninety days or even more, most experts encourage changing your filters every thirty days. Nevertheless, you should check your filters regularly. The age of your Heating and air conditioning system and the rate of usage will determine how much damage a filter suffers. You'll know your filters need to be changed when it's coated in thick dirt. When a filter is clogged up, not only is it no longer doing its job, it is decreasing the efficiency of your heating system as the airborne debris starts to absorb heat. It also ends up being a fire hazard.

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What filter is best for your home? There are a wide variety of filters to choose from dependant on your budget and desired air quality.

Fiberglass Filters:
these are your normal filters for a homeowner on a budget. They're composed of several layers of fiberglass mesh. These filter allergens by physically trapping them in a dense net. While fiberglass filters are better than nothing, they have a tendency to clog quickly and enable a significant percentage of smaller particulates pass through.

Electrostatic Filters:
these filters are made from a material that makes an electrostatic charge as air goes through them. This static acts like a magnet for dust particles, attracting them and securing them into the filter. These are generally considered more effective than fiberglass filters, especially for owners with asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems. They should still be replaced at least monthly to get their full benefit.

Electronic Filters:
these filters operate by either attracting particles in with an artificially generated electrostatic charge, or by passing air through an ionizing device to charge the air around it and create an attraction between airborne particles and the filter. In either case, these filters are plugged into a power source and can be cleaned out instead of replaced. These are usually thought of as the top of the line in filtration systems, and come with a increase in price.

Specialty Filters:
there are a range of companies offering customized filters to deal with specific air quality complications. Some come pretreated with disinfectants so they not only trap particulate matter but also destroy airborne bacteria or viruses that pass through, making them a great choice for the immune-suppressed, or houses with children or elderly residents. Filters that contain activated charcoal or carbon are available that can minimize foul odors if a household has that problem. HEPA and micro-particle filters are commonly considered the most beneficial for increasing air quality in the home, and can even be found as freestanding air purifiers if you don’t want to have one built into your HVAC.

Ultimately your choice in air filter comes down to budget vs. quality. For most homeowners, a conventional fiberglass filter will do the trick, but for homes with older ductwork or residents with particular respiratory needs, you may need to upgrade to a more effective and therefore more costly option.

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