You don’t have to be a heating and air conditioning professional to understand the importance of cleaning or replacing dirty HVAC filters. Over time, contaminants such as dust, dander and other particles will accumulate on the filter surface and negatively impact its performance. This could lead to poor IAQ (indoor air quality) levels and even lead to a drop in your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency.
Finding a replacement filter can be tough, especially when one visit to your local home improvement store presents you with dozens of options. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the main types of filters. Our Allison HVAC experts describe them below:
Flat-Paneled Fiberglass Filters
Disposable flat-paneled heating and air conditioning filters are made up of fiberglass layers secured with metal and plastic grates. While they’re common and cheap, they offer very low MERV ratings. and are ineffective at improving your indoor air quality. If possible, only use this type of filter as a last resort.
Pleated Media Filters
Filters made of pleated media are highly efficient alternatives to fiberglass filters, with MERV ratings ranging from 5 to as high as 16. They’re designed to increase efficiency while also reducing HVAC noises and air resistance.
HEPA Filters
OSHA and the EPA recommend HEPA filters for their unrivaled filtration ability in heating and air conditioning systems. With MERV ratings reaching the high 20s, these filters are capable of trapping 99.97% of airborne contaminants.
Reusable Air Filters
The advantage of reusable filters is that they’re washable. However, there are disadvantages to consider as well. For one, they’re typically expensive considering their mediocre MERV ratings (1 to 4). Additionally, placing freshly washed filters that could still have trace amounts moisture in them back in the system can promote the spread of mold and mildew in your ducts.
Get Superior Quality HVAC Service From Our Experts
Keep your heating and cooling systems in great shape with our expert technicians at Allison Air Conditioning, your leading provider of superior HVAC repairs, maintenance and installation services. Give us a call at (951) 736-1101 or fill out our online contact form to set up an inspection appointment or request a free estimate for a new installation today.