Sponsored by Berkeys Air Conditioning and Plumbing
We all know that we need tobrchange the filters on our HVAC units regularly. We also know that changing thembrwill save money on our utility bills, improve our air quality and keep thatbrdusty coating off of our furniture. Yet we still forget to do it. When we dobrremember, do we even use the right type of filter? And all air filters are prettybrmuch all the same, aren't they?
Well, no, they aren't. Eachbrmanufacturer and HVAC system has their own size filters for their equipment.brSo, before you run out and buy one, lookbron the HVAC unit, in the owner's manual or manufacturer's specifications. Youbrcan also bring the old filter to the store with you to find the correct size. Butbrfirst, you have to find it. The air filter may bebrlocated in a grill in your wall or ceiling. These are commonly called returnbrair filter grills. Or, it may be located in a slot on the side, bottom or topbrof your furnace (it depends on the type of furnace). Or, it might be inside thebrblower compartment of the furnace. This is common on older furnaces.
The differences don't stopbrthere. Other than the physical size of the filter, there are levels ofbrfiltration. You have to look for thebrlevel that suits your home and family. Air filters have a standard rating system. The MERV (minimumbrefficiency reporting value) rating is a number from 1-16. For simplicity'sbrsake, the higher the number, the filter will stop more and smaller particles.
The lower levels of filtration willbrremove large particles like dust, lint, pollen, pet hair and dander. The nextbrlevel will remove bacteria and mold spores in addition to the dust, lint,brpollen, pet hair and dander. It will also remove smoke, microscopic allergensbrand particles that may contain viruses. The highest level will remove all thatbrstuff as well as some particles containing odors. Air filters with the higher MERV ratings are sometimes calledbrallergy filters.
Some manufacturers produce reusable orbrwashable air filters. These filters usually have the lowest level filtrationbrratings. For some homes, this level of filtration is sufficient. And, if youbrdon't have allergies, you can save some money by using reusable or washablebrfilters.
The most common filter types are thebrdisposable filters. Some are made with layeredbrfiberglass fibers to form the filter media and typically are reinforced with abrmetal grating that supports the fiberglass to prevent damage or collapse. Thebrquality of these filters varies greatly. brIf you can see through them, they won't filter out anything smaller thanbryour dust bunnies and you're wasting your money. Make sure you're getting a quality filter.
Anotherbrdisposable type is the pleated filter, which has a MERV rating of 5-8. Thebrpleated surface of the filter offers more surface area to catch the dirt andbrdistributes the airflow more evenly over its surface. This means more dirt willbrbe filtered out of your air. These filters are usually the best value in termsbrof price for the filter and keeping your HVAC system clean.
The airbrfilters made for the highest levels of filtration are sometimes made of advanced material. For example,brelectrostatic filters use an electrical charge to capture much smallerbrparticles. Some other filters come with an antimicrobial treatment, whichbrprevents organisms from living on the filter after they are trapped. For allergies, there are high-efficiencybrparticulate air filters (HEPA). These filters remove virtually everything, but theybrcan be expensive. Unlessbrthere is a specific reason to use them,brthe cost is an unnecessary expense for most homeowners.
You should choose the air filter that offers thebrhighest level of filtration without damaging or over-taxing your HVAC system.brUsing a filter with a significantly higher MERV rating than the system requiresbror using a different type of filter can impact the efficiency of the system bybrdecreasing its airflow.
Usingbrthe right air filter is only half of the answer, though. If it is not replacedbroften enough, your HVAC system operating efficiency will go down because thebrfilter will become clogged. This will cost you on your utility bills as well asbrwear and tear on the HVAC unit. If yourbrsystem can't move the air through the filter, then the HVAC system isn't doingbrits job.
Most HVAC servicebrcompanies offer maintenance contracts,brlike Berkeys'brBAM Plan, which may include changing your filter for you. Companies like Berkeys can also perform a home energy audit and show you how to improve yourbrhome’s energy efficiency.
You can call Berkeys Air Conditioning & Plumbing 24/7 at 817-481-5869 or email us online through our website for questions and scheduling information.