The HVAC filters used in your home's heating and cooling system have an important job to do - they filter dust, pollen, pet dander and other small particles from the air you and your family breathe. These particles are trapped in the filter to prevent them from being recirculated throughout the house. HVAC filters are an essential component of the home, the part of your HVAC system that removes any impurities from the air, such as pollen, pet dander and dust. It's important to replace these filters regularly, especially if it's been a while. It may surprise you to learn that there are several types of HVAC air filters available, so it is best to learn as much as possible about them in order to decide which one is right for you.
When air is introduced into the HVAC system, it is first heated or cooled and then pushed through the ducts that lead it to every room in the house. The HVAC filter cleans the air just before it enters through the blower and circulates through the ducts. As air is forced through the filter, the material, usually cloth or pleated paper, traps any contaminants that are in the air. HVAC filters help remove dust, dander and harmful particles from the air inside your home. By regularly changing the filter, you can improve indoor air quality and extend the life of your heating and cooling system. Air and HVAC filters are designed to filter contaminants or pollutants from the air passing through them.
Cleaning and filtering the air can help reduce pollutants in the air, including particles that contain viruses. The most commonly used filtration system in building HVAC systems is the mechanical air filter. Filters consist of spun glass or a highly spongy non-woven material that works through the process of casting and impacting particles with the filter material. The speed at which the filter media removes particles from the air passing through it is referred to as its efficiency. These particles can come from inside the building or they can be introduced into the building through the fresh air intake of the HVAC system.
The air in your home usually contains a lot of dust, dirt, and other contaminants, which could damage your HVAC system if not filtered properly. The EPA does not recommend using DIY air purifiers as a permanent alternative to products of known performance (such as commercially available portable air purifiers). One of the constant messages mentioned in the HVAC industry is the importance of regularly checking and changing your HVAC filters. Placing air filters within a building's ventilation system can block airborne particles that can include animal dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria and viruses, based on their Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV). Check with your local trusted HVAC service provider to see if an air purification system is right for you. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air filters are indoor air filters that can be assembled from box fans and square HVAC (or oven) filters.
They play an important role in keeping the air in your home clean and your HVAC system running at its peak. If you choose to use a device that incorporates bipolar ionization technology, EPA recommends using a device that meets UL 2998 certification (Environmental Claims Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Zero Ozone Emissions from Air Filters).The concentration of pollutants in the air varies depending on the space within most buildings and varies with the tasks performed in those spaces. Nowadays, these systems are being adapted to kill bacterial and fungal organisms, and inactivate viruses within the HVAC system airstream. Most flat panel filters have a MERV rating of five or less, making them suitable for use in applications where the HVAC system is not exposed to a heavily soiled environment. Upper room disinfection systems can significantly reduce virus transmission by disinfecting the air in rooms where it is introduced.
