Air filters are the best equipment every homeowner should buy to maintain good health. An effective air filter purifies indoor air intensely, which helps people with respiratory symptoms. Many air filters available on the market vary in size, material, efficiency level, price, durability, etc., but no air filter is universal. Therefore, before purchasing one, ensure your filter fits in your HVAC system.
This article will present different types of air filters and their characteristics. It will help you to decide which one is right for your needs.
6 Types of Air Filters and Their CharacteristicsÂ
1. HEPA Filters
HEPA stands for High-efficiency Particulate Air. According to the U.S. Department of Health, HEPA filters are best for removing airborne contaminants. They can eliminate 99.97% of air allergens as small as 0.3 microns. You will get the best protection if you buy this filter. People who have problems breathing will benefit the most from these filters.
2. Pleated FiltersÂ
Pleated air filters have a MERV rating of 5-13, and they can efficiently filter out dust and airborne pollutants. However, these filters are resistant to airflow and offer low filtration. One of the major drawbacks of buying pleated air filters is that they require the HVAC system to work harder to pull air through the HVAC unit, which may cause the system’s inefficiency.
3. Washable FiltersÂ
Washable air filters are environmentally friendly. Unlike other disposable air filters, washable can save money as you can wash and reuse them later. Since you can use them multiple times, the price is typically higher than many other filter types. You can choose this filter for your HVAC system if you want to avoid the hassles of buying new filters frequently. Ensure you maintain this filter carefully with proper instructions.
4. UV Filters
UV filters are excellent air filters that use short-wave ultraviolet light to kill airborne germs and bacteria. The UV lamps of these filters disinfect the viruses and bacteria when air passes through the unit. Buying this filter will help you greatly in killing microorganisms that are enemies of our health. However, they could be more effective in screening against dust and dirt. They are also ineffective in eliminating gases, fumes, and smoke from your house.
5. Media FiltersÂ
Media filters are famous for low maintenance requirements, as they need to be replaced only twice or thrice a year. The excellent filtration system of media filters helps in capturing air pollutants. These filters are easy to maintain, but they need to be professionally installed.
6. Electrostatic Filters
Electrostatic filters work as a magnet to trap dust with their paper fibers and small cotton. The filters catch the pollutants so strongly that they can’t spread throughout the house. These filters offer disposable and reusable options, making them popular for some homeowners.
ConclusionÂ
Maintaining good air quality is one of the primary duties of house owners. If you can’t maintain your furnace filters correctly, you will have breathing issues and uncomfortable living. Purchasing suitable Merv filters can make a big difference between uncomfortable air filled with too much debris and fresh air that is easy to breathe. Each of the described air filters is varied in terms of efficiency, materials, sizes, pros, and cons. You have to choose the right filter which will be best for your HVAC system. Take help from the professionals of Simply Filters, if you need help choosing your Merv filter.
