Indoor air quality (IAQ) is something that can affect our health and well-being dramatically. When IAQ is poor, it can cause an increase in allergy symptoms, fatigue, headaches, inflammation, and much more. Unfortunately, the air inside our homes is often worse than what is inside. We spend much of our days indoors, so it’s ideal to take appropriate steps to improve IAQ. Air filters are one option.
What Are Air Filters?
Air filters are inside your HVAC system and any air purification equipment that you have. They are made with certain types of material designed to trap particulate matter from the air passing through them. This means the air circulating into the rest of your home will be cleaner and healthier.
Air filters generally need replacement once every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter you’re using. You may also want to consider more frequent replacements if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or respiratory issues. Washable filters are popular because they are cleaned and put back into place, reducing the need to buy new filters. However, allergy sufferers often opt for single-use filters that are completely clean and new to promote optimal IAQ.
Why Are Air Filters Important?
Many types of particulate matter could be circulating in your Northern California home. This can include pet dander, dust, dust mites, pollen from the outdoors, volatile organic compounds, and even mold spores. Ideally, you’ll remove these contaminants with a clean filter rather than allow them to circulate through the ductwork and into living spaces.
Not only do air filters help purify your indoor air, but they also protect the interior components of your HVAC system. This allows your system to run more efficiently and effectively. You may notice an increase in your energy consumption when your filters are dirty and need to be replaced.
Different Types of Air Filters
Several types of air filters can be used in your HVAC system as well as your whole-house purification equipment. Some are more effective than others at removing small particulates.
HEPA Filtration
High-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, are designed to remove as much as 99.97% of particulate matter from the air we breathe. They are extremely effective, but they are also restrictive. You’ll want to check with our team to see if your furnace and air conditioning equipment can handle this restricted airflow. HEPA filters are usually used in whole-house air purification units to boost IAQ.
Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon is commonly used along with a traditional filter material. Activated carbon does an excellent job removing odors and volatile organic compounds from our indoor air. These VOCs come from various sources, like chemical-based cleaning products, new building materials (carpet, countertops, paint), air fresheners, detergents, beauty products, and more. They can negatively affect our health, causing inflammation, nausea, headaches, and fatigue.
Electrostatic Filtration
Slightly different than the traditional air filter, electrostatic filtration utilizes charged plates that trap particles by oppositely charging them. These plates don’t need to be replaced; rather, they are periodically cleaned. This is an affordable option that is very effective at promoting healthy indoor air quality.
Fiberglass Filters
Fiberglass filters, or flat-paneled filters, are made using strands of glass inside a metal platform. They are affordable, which is why most people use them. However, they don’t always do a great job removing particulate matter from your indoor air. In general, fiberglass filters only trap particulate matter between about 3.0 and 10.0 microns in size. This includes things like pollen, dust, and carpet fibers. They are also prone to clogging, which can increase your need for HVAC repair.
Pleated Filters
Pleated filters are usually made from cotton or polyester. Their pleated design makes it easy to trap particles because of their increased surface area. They’re slightly more expensive than a fiberglass filter, but they do a better job. You can trap mold spores, pet dander, and more using pleated filters.
UV Light Filters
UV light filters don’t trap particulate matter. Rather, they damage the DNA of things like viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens using UV-C light technology. This is a method of disinfecting the air in your home. This can help keep you and your family from getting sick or passing illnesses around. There is a slight risk of ozone production with UV filters, which can be harmful to some people.
UV filters don’t require significant maintenance, but you’ll want your equipment inspected yearly. If your light mechanism becomes dusty or dirty, this can decrease the effectiveness of your equipment. You also need to replace the light every year or two.
Considering MERV Ratings
Most air filters are rated using the minimum efficiency reporting value system, or MERV. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with 20 being the most restrictive option that removes the most particulate matter. While you may be tempted to invest in the highest MERV filter that you can find, this is another situation where you could damage your HVAC system. You can consult with our team to find out the maximum MERV rating that you can use with your specific equipment. Most traditional HVAC systems recommend using a filter with a MERV rating of eight. You will only see MERV filters rated close to 20 in commercial settings.
Choosing an Air Filter
When it comes time to choose an air filter for your HVAC system, consider your health, your household needs, and your budget. Allergy sufferers and those with chronic health conditions will want to invest in high-quality filters that do a good job of removing small particulate matter from the air passing through them. Homes with pets, smokers, and large families should also consider upgrading their filters. If you live in an area with a lot of pollution or deal with wildfire smoke periodically, you’ll want to use optimal filtration.
Consider using advanced filtration in addition to your furnace’s filter. A whole-house air purification system can help you remove even more contaminants from your indoor air, boosting your IAQ dramatically. These units can handle more restrictive filters compared to your furnace.
Don’t forget to consider the type of filtration restriction your HVAC system can handle. Don’t place too much strain on your system. This can damage your equipment.
If you would like to learn more about the different filters available for use in your Northern California home, reach out to our team here at Environmental Heating & Air Solutions. In addition to indoor air quality services, we also install, repair, and help you maintain different types of heating and cooling equipment. We provide duct cleanings, duct sealings, air ventilation services, and more. Our plumbing services include working on water heaters, sump pumps, pipes, and clogs and providing water leak protection. Contact Environmental Heating & Air Solutions in Northern California today to schedule an appointment.
