When it comes to air filters, the general rule of thumb for many HVAC professionals is “the cheaper the better”. However, if you can find a reusable filter that captures the types of contaminants you need to filter for your family, then you could pay more money upfront, but save in the long run. People with compromised respiratory systems, or the elderly who spend all day indoors, may want more filtration. You can buy UV lights that kill viruses and bacteria, or electrostatic units. The best and cheapest bet is a MERV 8 filter changed in the right range.
Approximately every 3 months, or monthly if you have pets. MPR stands for Microparticle Performance Rating and is a system for determining how small particles can be filtered with a particular air filter. Not only do filters remove dust allergens, mold spores, and other pollutants from the air your family breathes, but they also filter out fine dirt particles that can degrade the performance of the HVAC system itself. Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) standards for HVAC design assume that pressure will drop in the air filter of an HVAC unit. This is especially true in homes with older HVAC units, which weren't built to accommodate thicker air filters.
Air filters can help dramatically improve air quality when pollution levels are high and remove mold, dust, and seasonal and pet allergens from your home air. A clogged air filter can also wear down the unit because it reduces the flow of air circulating through it, which places more stress on the system, as you have to work harder to push air through the dirty filter. All air filters have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) rating and the higher the rating, the more efficient the filter will be at removing particles. While these high MERV filters are great for filtering debris and cleaning the air in your home, they reduce the air pressure in your duct system. HVAC systems are not designed to improve air quality in the home, and filters are important to keep the oven and air conditioner working properly. The cheapest filters are made of spun fiberglass, which does very little to filter the air compared to materials such as paper, cotton or polyester.
When shopping for air filters online, look for places that allow you to customize your quantity to get exactly what you need. Oven filters not only prevent the system from clogging up with dust and dirt, but they also clean the air in your home. They eliminate all of these things that your family doesn't want to breathe, but they also filter out small particles of dirt that, over time, also degrade the performance of your air conditioning system. FilterBuy offers more expensive air filters for one reason: they are worth it because of their quality and convenience. It is absolutely necessary to keep the air filter clean at all times, as all the air in your home has to pass through it.
