Are you one of the many homeowners who, quite sensibly, tries to ensure that you replace your HVAC system’s air filter on a regular basis? After all, it’s advice that people have been given for years now, so to not do so at this point is more about negligence than lack of knowledge.
One thing that even homeowners who are diligent in this way do not always realize though is that the reasoning behind the clean filter regimen is twofold; to not only protect the HVAC unit itself and help keep it in the best possible working order between HVAC servicings but also to help protect – and improve – air quality in the home. And the fact is that certain types of air filter are better suited to this important dual purpose than others.
So, which air cleaners in Gladstone, MA would be better for you to opt for over others? Let’s take a brief look;
Fiberglass Air Filters
Fiberglass air filters for HVAC systems have been around for a long time and they are cheap, two reasons why many people still use them. They were, however, only ever designed to help protect the unit they are installed in, they are not meant to address any air quality issues. Thin and rather flimsy, most fiberglass air filters only boast a MERV rating (that’s the industry measure of filter effectiveness) of between one and three, so they are not even that good at performing their specified function, in comparison with other options anyway.
Pleated and Polyester Air Filters
Although they are not really too much thicker than their fiberglass counterparts, pleated and polyester air filters for HVAC systems are a little more efficient. On average they are able to remove around 45-50% of air pollutants in the average home and have a MERV rating of between 8 and 13. They do cost more; $8-10 versus $1-2, but if you’d like to breathe a little easier when indoors the extra expense is worth it, especially if anyone in your home already suffers from allergies or other respiratory problems.
Washable Air Filters
Washable air filters sound like they are a brilliant idea; but, we hate to tell you, they are not. Spending $20+ on such a filter will get you a low efficiency option – their MERV rating hovers between one and four – that requires a lot more maintenance than you bargained for.
And that maintenance can be more of a problem for your health too. It’s actually rather hard to ensure that a washable air filter is completely, 100% dry when it is popped back into the HVAC system. Any moisture that does remain, even a little bit, can then easily provide the food that any mold spores sucked into the system need to grow into full blown mold patches. And breathing in mold? Not fun and certainly not healthy.
High-Efficiency Air Filters
As the gold standard of HVAC air filters, these babies can remove up to 85% of the pollutants in the air. That is the reason you will usually find them installed in HVAC systems in offices, factories, schools and perhaps most importantly, hospitals. They also boast the highest MERV ratings; between 14 and 16.
Before you rush out to buy one though (they cost about $25 a piece) you should know that they are not always very practical for use in the average home. They very high MERV rating may mean that in a less powerful residential HVAC system, one serving a smaller home, airflow may be overly impeded, leading to a unit malfunction.
The ideal air filter for most homes is one that is durable and boasts a MERV rating of between 9 and 12. If you are not sure just which filters are the right options for your home seek the advice of an HVAC pro, someone who will be able to help you find just the right air cleaners in Gladstone, MO for your unique living space.
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