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26.09.2024
Brooke Kirshne
The air quality inside your home or workplace is becoming a serious problem these days as pollution from urban areas is becoming more and more common. As per the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indoor air pollution can be five times more polluted as compared to outside air pollution. This difference in the number indicates that there is a necessity to find practical ways to fight indoor air pollution. To keep an interior atmosphere clean and healthy, air filters act as the very first step to protect against this hidden danger.
Air filters help to improve the health of the lungs, reduce allergy symptoms, and increase general well-being by removing harmful particles from the air. Everyone may live in a healthier and more comfortable environment if they are aware of the numerous benefits of air filters and these will help you to improve the quality of the air inside your homes or workplace.
What is an Air Filter?
An air filter is a medium that is used to remove such things as dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other airborne particles present in the air. One of the most important parts of an HVAC system is an air filter as it helps in maintaining clean air in your residence. An air filter is simply a screen that fits into an opening of the HVAC system. Air filters can be used in various fields such as residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Using an air filter helps you reduce pollutants and allergens, making the air cleaner and healthier to breathe. The general fragrance of indoor air can be enhanced by some air filters, especially those that include activated carbon, which can absorb and neutralize odors. Thus, the type of air filter you choose is going to impact how long your HVAC system lasts and how well the air quality inside your home is maintained.
How Air Filter Works
Understanding the workings of an air filter is very important, as it will help you decide which air filter you should buy as per your needs and requirements. All the air filters have similar working.
Step 1: Air that is present in the surroundings enters the filtration system through the filter screen. As the very first layer of protection, this screen keeps big particles out of the filtering material.
Step 2: As the air passes through the filter screen, the material within the filter is designed to capture different particles present in the air, such as dust, pollen, dirt, allergens, and pet dander. Some of the air filters have high filtration efficiency, so they can even remove bacteria and viruses.
Step 3: As the air is continuously passing through the filter medium, the pollutants are collected on the filter. With time, the filter gets clogged as there are a lot of particles collected, which eventually reduces the airflow.
Step 4: As pollutants pile up over time, the filter starts getting clogged. Thus the airflow gets blocked by this clogging, which makes it more difficult for air to flow through the filter.
Step 5: It is the time when the air filter needs to be replaced since it is not in the condition to work properly. This process needs to be repeated again and again.
Benefits of Using an Air Filter
Here are some of the benefits that you can get after using an air filter:
1. Improves Indoor Air Quality
Air filters greatly improve the air quality of your indoors as they capture all the particles and impurities such as dirt, dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. These particles present in the air can also lead to allergies and respiratory problems. To reduce such kinds of problems, you can use a high-quality air filter, as it will not only protect you from allergies but also give you a healthier living environment.
Having clean air in your indoors provides overall well-being, ensuring that the air you breathe is free from harmful substances. For children, the elderly, or those who are already suffering from medical problems, having an improved air quality is very important as it promotes better health and comfort in your home.
2. Odor Control
Having a good-quality air filter in your home will help you remove offensive smells from your home or workplace. A high-quality air filter not only captures dirt and dust but also gases that give unpleasant smells like smoke, cooking smells, and pet odors. In some air filters, there is an activated carbon filter present that can capture the smell and odor that may come from pesticides, flame retardants, and construction materials.
By using an advanced air filter, you can easily maintain fresh air indoors. If you are a person who smokes or has pets at home like dogs and cats, these advanced air filters are very useful as they will enhance overall comfort and the standard of living.
3. Provides Health Benefits
Using an air filter has a lot of health benefits, as these air filters remove allergens and other harmful particles from the air. Having these air filters in your indoor environment will reduce your contact with these pollutants, as these can be harmful to those who have symptoms of allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. Better lung function and general health are enhanced by clean air, particularly for people with low immune systems like the elderly and young children.
Additionally, there are some high-quality air filters that are efficient in capturing viruses and bacteria present in the air, which lowers the chance of becoming sick frequently. Air filters are crucial for improving indoor air quality because they provide a healthier environment.
4. Improves Energy Efficiency
If your air filter is dirty or clogged, then the HVAC system that you are using recedes the airflow, which makes the system work harder to keep the temperature acceptable. This extra effort that the HVAC system needs to do eventually increases the energy use, decreases efficiency, and ultimately results in higher energy bills. Therefore, regular maintenance and frequent filter changes are important if you are looking for an efficient air filter with financial savings.
But nowadays you will find that the engineers have made air filters that are energy efficient. These filters usually produce lower energy bills than the previous ones. It has been calculated that maintaining a clean and well-functioning air filter can result in a 15% reduction in energy consumption.
5. Longer HVAC Unit Lifespan
For an appliance that you are using, regular maintenance is very important, as is for an HVAC air filter system. If you regularly maintain your air filters by keeping them clean and preventing dust and debris from getting collected, it will reduce the wear and tear of parts present in the HVAC system. This will increase the overall performance of the air filter and reduce the need for expensive maintenance and replacements.
However, if the HVAC system is kept up to date, then it will run more efficiently, using less energy and having a longer lifespan. By following a regular servicing routine on your air filter, you can guarantee that the heating and cooling system continues to operate at its best for many years.
6. Better Temperature Control
When it comes to maintaining the temperature of your home and workplace, then these air filters are very beneficial. These filters not only help you improve air quality and energy efficiency but also help you to maintain a consistent air temperature. In case the air filters are clogged, then it becomes difficult for the HVAC system to cool and heat the indoor spaces.
This situation usually occurs when dirt and dust get collected and proper air does not pass through. It's the time when you need to replace your filter, as the inside areas aren't as cold or warm as they should be. So if you properly maintain your air filter, it will give you hot air as per your demand for a long period of time.
7. Lower Repair Frequency
To prevent your air filter from unnecessary damage, it is very important to frequently repair your HVAC system. Maintenance of your air filter will always be as expensive as completely repairing a broken system. This breakdown of the system usually happens when it is needed the most, usually during server weather conditions. When you prevent damage, it also prevents expensive repairs.
Some of the most frequent repair problems that you will find in air filters are the systems not maintaining proper temperature, high electricity bills, strange noises, and unpleasant odors. So to avoid all these kinds of issues, you should clean and maintain your system frequently.
How To Choose The Right Air Filter
There are many different types of air filters available, therefore in order to select the ideal air filter for your house, you must be aware of your specific requirements. The following are some ways that can help you select the best air filter for your house:
1. Know various types of Air Filters
When you plan to buy an air filter, the first step is to understand the different types of air filters that are available on the market. Each air filter has its own unique functionality and workings that are suitable for different situations. You can evaluate the various features of air filters, like compatibility, maintenance requirements, air quality requirements, and filter efficiency ratings. As you will know about these features of air filters, it will help you decide the best air filter as per your requirements.
2. Analyze Your Requirements
It is very important to consider your unique requirements when you are selecting an air filter. You can choose an air filter based on its functionality. Those who are suffering from allergies and asthma need to buy an air filter above the MERV rating of 13 since it is perfect for capturing dust mites and other tiny particles. In houses that have pets like dogs and cats, smokers, or strong cooking odors, they should use activated carbon filters, as these can absorb odors, and capture fur, harmful gases, and larger debris.
3. Importance of Merv rating
MERV rating is one of the most important things that you should know when choosing an air filter. It is a rating system that ranges from 1 to 20. Where 20 is the highest and 1 is the lowest. Air filters with MERV ratings of 1-4 only slightly enhance indoor air quality by capturing big particles. For both home and business use, ratings 5-8 offer moderate filtration for medium-sized particles, including mold spores and pet dander. Filtration is improved with ratings 9–12, which are perfect for hospitals and houses with pets as they can catch microscopic particles like pathogens and fine dust. High-efficiency filters for minute particles with ratings 13–16 are found in luxury buildings and medical institutions. Cleanrooms and critical environments use ratings 17–20 because they have the maximum efficiency in catching particles smaller than 0.3 microns.
4. Consider the Size and Fit
As you know, air filters come in different sizes, so it is important to choose one that suits your HVAC system properly. If the air system is of proper size, then it will provide you with the best performance and efficiency. You can check the measurements of the filter, which include the length, breadth, and thickness of the filter you currently have before you buy a new filter. It is important to take accurate measurements, as an overly large filter might not fit in the given area, while an extremely small filter can have gaps that let unfiltered air pass through.
Maintenance Tips for Air Filters
For the air filter to run long, regular maintenance is very important, so here are some of the tips that you can use to maintain your air filter:
Regular Replacement:
Depending on the type and frequency of use, constantly clean or replace your air filters. It is advised to replace most ordinary filters every one to three months. Even though HEPA and activated carbon filters have a long life but still regular maintenance is required.
Check Filter Condition:
You need to check your air filter in a month so that you can know whether the dirt and debris are getting collected or not. In case they seem blocked or stained, it's necessary to either replace or clean them, even when it hasn't been the usual replacement time.
Follow Manufacturer Guidelines:
Do follow the manufacturer's instructions for the particular model of air filter you have. They frequently offer advice on how often to replace items as well as maintenance suggestions for specific products of the air filter that are specified. All these guidelines will help you maintain your air filter properly.
Consider Seasonal Changes:
You might need to change your filters more regularly during peak seasons, such as allergy season, heating, or cooling periods since at this time there is an air filter that captures more particles in the air and is extensively used.
Monitor Air Quality:
You need to very carefully check the amount of air that is getting improved after using an air filter. Some of the signs that your air filter needs to be changed are dust getting collected, an increase in allergies, or unpleasant smells. If all these things are found, then your air filter is not providing you with improved air quality.
Conclusion
As we have discussed above, indoor air pollution can be worse than outside pollution, and this thing cannot be overseen, so the use of an air filter is important. Air filters greatly enhance indoor air quality, supporting improved respiratory health and general well-being by efficiently capturing dangerous particles, allergens, and odors. Moreover, it also gives a long life to your HVAC system. People with special needs, such as children, the elderly, and those who already have medical disorders, need a good air filter as it will help to enhance their health benefits, which are very important.
Custom Filters Direct is dedicated to offering outstanding air filters that improve the atmosphere and indoor air quality in your home. To ensure your HVAC system runs effectively, our knowledgeable staff is available to help you choose the appropriate filter. Maintaining your air filter not only makes your home healthier but also makes your system work better. Call us at 1-877-958-5612 for more details about our services and how we can meet your demands for air quality.
