Your heating and cooling system plays an important part when it comes to your comfort, convenience, quality of life, and your bills. Air filters, though it may seem like a small thing, have a massive impact on the entire HVAC system. If your air filter is dirty, chances are it can restrict proper airflow, hinder HVAC efficiency, and can cause significant issues you don’t want to start dealing with.
Whether you’re experiencing low-quality airflow or feel there’s something wrong with your system, you need to check a few factors like the condition of your air filter. If you think you’ll need expert rescue, you can check hvac temecula which provides the best solutions to everything about your heating or cooling system with just one call away. Besides, a well-maintained and routine service mechanism provides a highly efficient service that improves the quality of your life and your comfort.
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What To Look For On Air Filters
Every homeowner needs to select and install the right air filter on their HVAC system to keep good quality airflow, whether for heating or cooling purposes. With tons of air filter types and manufacturers out in the marketplace, which one should you choose?
There are essential factors that you need to consider when purchasing a new air filter. These things include:
- Energy Efficiency
Dirty or damaged air filters can reduce HVAC efficiency and provide efficient operations with your heating or cooling system.
- Health Concerns
Air filters affect the quality of air inside your home. Whether you have allergies or are sensitive to some aspects like dust, pollens, or mold spores, it means you need to find the right filtration system for you or your family’s health.
- Operational Integrity
With a damaged or dirty air filter, it can affect the performance of your HVAC system and can even cause failure or breakage.
- Prioritization
Your priorities can affect what type of filtration system you need. Whether you want to use the latest innovation or something else, it’s about your preference that matters.
- Maintenance
Your filtration system will depend on your convenience when it comes to care and maintenance. Whether you go for a replacement or routine service, it’s all about what suits your budget and lifestyle.
Why Do You Need An Air Filter?
Finding the right air filter varies per individual needs, preferences, and health issues. Some people are sensitive to pollen or dust that can trigger asthma and allergies. Others don’t like any animal dander odor present indoors, while some won’t care.
The trick is to determine what your filtration system is trying to remove or not. Determining filtration priorities is vital to make a sound decision. The measurement used to identify your filtration system capability is called the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The filtration system can be low-MERV or high-MERV, which depends on your preferences and needs.
Your filtration system can reduce or remove the following;
- Pollen, mold, and dust mites – If you have allergies, then you need a filtration system that has MERV level 5-8.
- Dust – Basic filtration system can reduce or remove dust from entering the HVAC system. (MERV level 11-4)
- Bacteria – Hospital-grade types of filters suitable for people with highly sensitive or due to chronic illness. (MERV level 13-17)
- Viruses – These are HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters that eliminate viruses or tiny particles which slip from other filtration types. (MERV level 15-20)
- VOCs – For people that are sensitive with a strong smell like cleaning products, anything that produces off-gases, and household items. It removes strong odors and has carbon layers that capture smells. (MERV level 8-16)
Excellent Air Filter To Use On Home HVAC
Once you understand what the MERV range is suitable for your needs, you can quickly determine what you need. Here are the best air filtration systems ideal for home use. You might want to consider using them for better air quality.
HEPA Filters
It’s the best type of filtration system that captures and blocks viruses, bacteria, VOCs, and more. Technically, HEPA filters can trap ridiculously small particles.
Media Filters
When it comes to having the best air filtration without restricting airflow, media filters are the best choice. It lives between the furnace and return plenum and has more surface, which provides a better flow of air. You just need to change this filter type annually.
1-Inch Pleated Fiberglass Filtrations
While this can be an ideal filtration type and capture tons of pollutants, they also restrict proper airflow into the furnace or blower. It makes your fan work double-time when heating or cooling your home, thus reducing efficiency. They can also be a good cause of equipment failure as it causes flooding of liquid into the machine’s compressor.
Conclusion
While we all need a certain level of air filtration, it’s vital to know which type of filtration system is best suitable for home use. With this, you can easily weigh your options and help your HVAC system function properly and prevent any issues or future problems. HEPA filters are best to use for your home. While they trap unwanted elements, these filters also block viruses and bacteria to keep your family safe.
Air filters play a vital role in the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. In case of failure, while DIY solutions are all over, it’s better to reach out for experts to help resolve issues safely, efficiently, and fast.
