Indoor air quality is a crucial element for any homeowner, especially if your household members have respiratory problems. The right air conditioning filters can make the difference between congested air full of pollutants and air that is clean, healthy, and easy to breathe. Understanding the different types of home air filters is the first step to getting the best indoor air quality you deserve. Each of these filters has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, which vary depending on your goal for your home.
When it comes to air filters for HVAC systems, there are many options available. It's important to understand the different types of filters and their characteristics in order to determine which type is best for your home. People who live with allergies or other respiratory problems may benefit most from HEPA filters. These filters must be adjusted by a contractor to fit your specific HVAC system.
As the name suggests, UV filters use short-wave ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses. When air passes through the air conditioning unit, UV lamps disinfect it with germicidal radiation. UV filters are great for killing microorganisms that could be hazardous to health, including mold spores. One potential danger of UV filters is that they can transform oxygen into ozone, which can be hazardous to health.
Even low amounts of ozone can cause coughing and chest pain, while higher amounts can worsen existing respiratory diseases, such as asthma. Electrostatic filters create static that acts as a magnet for dust and other particles suspended in the air. The magnetism is strong enough to prevent these particles from spreading throughout the house, making them one of the best options for those who need a filter that can combat allergens. An additional advantage of electrostatic filters is that they are available as disposable and reusable.
When it's time to change the filters, you can decide whether to wash and reuse them or throw them away and buy new ones. Washable filters are an environmentally friendly way to save money. The starting price of this type of air filter for air conditioning systems is high, but it should be considered an investment that will last for many years. The starting price is probably all you'll have to pay, since you can simply wash and reuse the filter over and over instead of buying new ones every few months.
Washable filters must be well maintained to ensure that they work as they should. As one of the main types of air filters, they come with maintenance instructions that must be followed. It is very important to ensure that the filter is completely dry before putting it back in. Even the smallest amount of moisture left over can cause mold and mildew to form in the filter and expel it into the air you breathe.
Media filters provide the same level of filtration as a filter with a high MERV content, but they do so without the negative consequences of airflow or static pressure. In contrast, media filters have a larger surface area, which successfully avoids significant static pressure and, at the same time, provides better filtration. Multimedia filters are very easy to maintain and are great for filtering bacteria and other small airborne contaminants. The filtered dirt is sealed in the filter, preventing it from returning to your home.
Media filters are also robust and cost-effective, and should be changed as infrequently as once or twice a year. Fiberglass threads are spun together to create this type of filter, which is one of the most common types of air conditioning filters. It's one of the best types of air conditioning filters because it's cost-effective, disposable, and protects air conditioners and ovens from dirt. Of the different types available, spun glass is one of the most effective.
But if you're looking for an air purifier, a higher-tech option would be more suitable. These filters aren't known for improving air quality, as they can't work too hard and can only trap some of the dust and allergens.
