A clogged, gunky air filter can cut your air flow down to a dribble. An air filter is a small thing, and decidedly not an exciting part of home improvement, but it keeps your entire HVAC system humming right along. A filthy filter can restrict airflow, preventing the system from working like it’s supposed to and that can eventually lead to a breakdown.
Your air filter traps small air particles (dust, pollen, pet particles) smoke from the air. You may not suffer from allergies, but perhaps you have an in indoor Because of this, there’ll be an accumulation dust and dirt in your living quarters. Should you splurge for the more expensive air filter? Are they worth it?
To improve indoor air quality with a new air filter, it’s wise to do your research or contact your local, professional AC maintenance and repair company directly. Evans Mechanical in Eureka is a great resource. Also, get to know MERV! This is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values which scales AC filter efficiency on a scale of 1-20. Below are some typical choices:
Fiberglass
1” spun fiberglass. It keeps big particles of debris out but does little to clean the air. MERV 2-3, $1-5
Pleated Polyester or Cotton
Removes tiny spores, but must be changed frequently or your system will get clogged, overworked. MERV 6-7, $5-7
Electrostatic
Electrically-charged cotton picks up tiny particles. One of the most attractive parts is that these are washable, cutting down on purchasing a new filter every other month. MERV 10, $10-20
Pleated, Permanent & Highly Efficient
4-5″ pleated synthetic cotton. Screens microscopic particles, utilized in hospitals. Should be professionally installed in a special housing to avoid any wobbling or leaking. MERV 15-17, $80-100
Cooling consumes a huge part of your utility bill, so get a higher-end filter. But you don’t necessarily need the super expensive pleated, permanent filter. At least every couple of months, simply pull out the old filter and slide in the replacement. The tough part might be remembering to do this each quarter. For the tech savvy, there are apps available such as FilterFresh, which tracks all the filters in your house. Happy Filtering!
