Every HVAC system is designed with an interior filter. The filter's job is to trap unwanted dirt and debris from the ventilation system in your home. This way, it doesn't recirculate and lower the indoor air quality level of your home. When it's time to change your existing HVAC filter, there are many options available on the market.
Fiberglass filters are fair cheap to purchase and offer an adequate level of filtering. They screen out pollutants and dust to ensure that the indoor air quality in your home stays adequate. These are great for households without pets, young children, or adults with any respiratory problems or allergies.
Pleated filters are the most commonly bought for the average homeowner. They offer a higher level of filtering capability than fiberglass filters. The more pleats that your filter has, the more filtering capacity it has. These are reasonably inexpensive, and you can find them readily available at most home stores.
We want to take a moment to mention washable filters. Most HVAC filters that you purchase are disposable. However, there are washable versions that you can buy if you want to make a one-time investment. It's important to note that washable filters have to be properly cleaned and dried thoroughly before reinstalling them to ensure they adequately filter your indoor air.
Suppose you have a lot of pets, young children, allergies, or respiratory issues. In that case, you want to invest in a top-quality filter. HEPA filters work to screen out 99.97 percent of contaminants in your ventilation system. This is more than fiberglass, pleated, or washable filters. This makes it the perfect filter for those who are dealing with allergies or sensitive respiratory systems.
When you purchase an air filter, some come with an electrostatic quality. This means that the air filter uses an electrostatic charge to attract airborne particles and dust. These come in both washable and disposable forms, so there are many options depending on your individual needs.
UV or ultraviolet filters are other options that go a step further to kill unwanted bacteria and viruses in your home. These aren't as efficient as HEPA filters for screening pollutants and dust. However, they're great for combatting those nasty microorganisms that can be very dangerous to your health.
Your home's HVAC system will require a filter change every two to three months. Understanding what types of filters are available for you to purchase can assist you in enhancing your home's indoor air quality. Realize that the specific attributes of the people and animals in your home will highly affect the type of filter that you end up purchasing for your system.
Call us at Command Service Center for more information to help you choose the best filter for your HVAC system.