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09.10.2024
Brooke Kirshne
The quality of air is declining in this world rapidly and the reason for this scenario is deforestation, urbanization, industrialization, etc. Many worldwide organizations like Clean Air Funds, the American Lung Association, WHO (World Health Organization), etc, are trying to fix this problem. This global problem is also affecting indoor air quality but to fix this air filters were created and this is an important component of an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system). An air filter is a medium between air and the HVAC system from where air passes through and the pollutants inside the air get captured.
Air filters have many types and one of the commonly used air filter-activated carbon air filters but these filters have many competitors that are called traditional air filters. Both filters have many types and each of them has different features for air filtration and is made of different materials. Both carbon and traditional air filters help to improve indoor air quality but their functions are different from each other. In this blog, readers will get detailed information related to both carbon and traditional filters and how they are different from each other.
What Are Carbon Air Filters?
Carbon or activated carbon air filters are the same thing but these filters are also called activated charcoal filters because the main ingredient used in these filters is charcoal. The carbon is obtained from carbonaceous source materials like wood, bamboo, coal, coconut husk, etc. These materials go from processes to obtain activated carbon to trap molecules more efficiently. In the manufacturing process of making these filters, the activated carbon is exposed to high temperatures as a result the surface area of activated carbon increases. When activated carbon is ready to use it is filled inside the filter’s media as fine powder.
Types Of Carbon Air Filters
Carbon air filters have many types and every one of them has different functionality for the air filtration process. So understanding the types of carbon filters can help many individuals decide which filter is best for them. Here are some of the best carbon air filter types:
1. PAC (Powdered Activated Carbon) Filters
The powdered activated carbon filters are very effective at filtration because these filters have the largest surface area compared to any other types of carbon air filters. These filters are made of activated carbon which is finely ground made into fine particles. Many industries use these types of filters in their air purification settings and some HVAC systems also use carbon air filters. The PAC filters efficiently remove odors and other gasses that can negatively affect health.
2. GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) Filters
Granular activated carbon air filters are made of small granules of activated carbon that help to high air filtration because of increased surface area. Usually, this type of filter is used in standalone air purifiers and one of the key benefits of these filters is they can remove VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from indoor air efficiently. The GAC filters are versatile because these filters can be used in various applications.
3. Impregnated Carbon Air Filters
Carbon air filters that are made by combining activated carbon and other air filtration materials to provide efficient air filtration are known as impregnated carbon air filters. These types of filters usually consist of potassium iodide or some specific metals that help to increase their pollutant removal ability. An impregnated carbon air filter is mostly used for eliminating a specific type of airborne pollutants.
4. Honeycomb-Activated Carbon Filters
These types of carbon filters have a honeycomb design and because of that, they are called honeycomb-activated carbon filters. The design of these filters helps them to maximize their air filtration capabilities and due to this they capture odors and gasses very easily. Many HVAC systems and air purifiers commonly use these types of carbon filters because they both balance airflow and air filtration.
Benefits Of Carbon Air Filters
Carbon air filters come with many benefits and because of their benefits, they become one of the commonly used filters for indoor air purification. Here are some of the key benefits that are given by the use of carbon air filters:
1. Eliminates Harmful Gasses
A carbon air filter effectively eliminates harmful gasses like VOCs from the indoor air. These harmful gasses are released by many things that people use in their day-to-day lives. Kitchen cleaning products, newly painted walls, new furnishings, and many other things release VOCs inside the home, and by terminating these gasses carbon air filters can prevent health problems like cancer.
2. Improves Indoor Air Quality
Carbon air filters help to improve indoor air quality because these filters are very effective at capturing gaseous pollutants that decrease the quality of indoor air. Some gasses can be harmful to many people and by removing these airborne pollutants carbon air filters create a healthy and clean indoor environment.
3. Removes Unpleasant Odors
Unpleasant odors are one of the commonly faced problems in homes and these odors are caused due to cooking, smoking inside the house, and many more. As mentioned in the above sections an activated carbon air filter is very effective at removing odors by capturing molecules of odors from the air the carbon filters provide a home that smells fresh.
4. Eco-Friendly
Carbon air filters use an enhanced form of a natural material which is carbon (charcoal) and the term enhanced means activated. The use of natural material made this filter environment friendly and the key factor that made a carbon filter eco-friendly is its recyclability and due to this, it doesn’t have much impact on nature.
What Are Traditional Air Filters?
Traditional air filters are the most commonly used filters for residential and commercial purposes. These filters are effective in capturing airborne particles which are a mixture of liquid droplets and solid particles in the air. Usually, traditional air filters are made of polypropylene, cotton, polyester, etc. Some of these materials are very durable and capture large and small airborne particles easily which include dust, pollen, pet dander, etc. The efficiency of traditional air filters is identified with the help of MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) ratings which is an air filter rating system created by ASHRAE.
Types Of Traditional Air Filters
There are many types of traditional air filters available on the market and the main difference between them is their ability to eliminate various types of indoor airborne particles. The ability of air filtration differs because each type of traditional air filter has a different design and is made of different materials. Here are some of the best traditional filters:
1. Pleated Filters
Pleated filters are one of the most used filters in residential and commercial places. Some of these filters are also used in places like hospitals where clean air is necessary. These filters are made of polyester or cotton which are folded in a series of pleats and by doing this the surface area of the filter increases for better filtration. A pleated filter can easily remove pollutants pollen, mold spores, pet dander, etc.
2. Electrostatic Filters
An electrostatic filter uses static electricity to capture airborne particles like dust, pet dander, carpet fiber, etc. These air filters create static electricity with the help of a mixture of paper fibers and cotton. The particles in the air get attracted to the filter because of the static electricity captured. An electrostatic filter is a very affordable type of traditional air filter.
3. Fiberglass Filters
Fiberglass filters are also known as flat-paneled filters and these filters can be found easily on a local hardware store at a budget-friendly price. A fiberglass filter is made of spun glass that is efficient at removing large airborne particles. These filters fall in the category of disposable filters because they are not recyclable.
4. Washable Filters
Washable filters are a type of traditional air filter that can be washed and reused many times. Compared to other filters that usually have a lifespan of 1 to 3 months, sometimes 6 months, a washable filter can stay up to 5 to 10 years. The only thing that the users of these filters have to do is wash it once every 1 or 3 months.
Benefits Of Traditional Air Filters
Using a traditional air filter for cleaning indoor air can be very beneficial to the HVAC system and its users. So by understanding the benefits of traditional air filters people will know the importance of air filtration in their homes. Here are some of the major benefits of traditional air filters:
1. Enhances Temperature Control
One of the key benefits of a traditional air filter is that it helps the HVAC system to enhance its temperature-controlling ability. The filter eliminates particles from the air that can interrupt the operation of the HVAC unit. By providing air that is free of particles the system works more efficiently and enhances its temperature controlling ability.
2. Increases Indoor Air Quality
Traditional air filters increase indoor air quality significantly by removing high amounts of airborne particles that roam around the house. The particles decrease the air quality and if this issue isn’t fixed the environment inside the house becomes dusty and very uncomfortable for the people who live there.
3. Increases Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of an HVAC system increases when its user uses a traditional air filter. The particles can interrupt the components of the HVAC system increasing the workload of the system which increases the energy consumption. Traditional air filters provide clean air and due to this, the HVAC unit works smoothly without any extra workload which increases energy efficiency.
4. Expand The Lifespan Of The HVAC System
Airborne particles like dust and mold spores can harm the components of the HVAC system because the particles can make the system overheat and due to that damages can occur. A traditional air filter removes particles from the air and due to this HVAC units work without any problem and its lifespan increases.
Comparison: Carbon Vs. Traditional Air Filters
| Features | Carbon Air Filters | Traditional Air Filters |
|---|---|---|
| Captures Particles | These filters are designed to eliminate VOCs and gaseous substances only. | These filters efficiently capture airborne particles like dust, pet dander, etc. but not gases. |
| MERV Ratings | Carbon air filters don’t have any MERV ratings because only particles capturing filters are rated. | Traditional air filters have MERV ratings ranging from 1 to 13. |
| Lifespan | A carbon air filter usually has a lifespan of around 3 to 6 months. | The lifespan of a traditional air filter depends on its type. Some filters have a lifespan of 1 to 3 months and some have years also. |
| Cost | Usually, the cost of carbon filters ranges from $15 to $60 but sometimes it can get more expensive. | The cost of traditional air filters ranges from $5 to $40, sometimes more. |
| Availability | These filters are widely available and can easily be found at online stores of HVAC supply. | These filters are easily available at local hardware stores and online HVAC stores. |
| Compatibility | Carbon air filters are compatible with most of the HVAC systems. | Traditional air filters support most of the HVAC systems easily. |
What Is A Better Option Between Carbon And Traditional Air Filters?
Choosing between carbon and traditional air filters can be difficult because both of these filters have different abilities to capture airborne particles. Individuals who are very sensitive to chemicals and gasses that are present indoors should go for carbon air filters because these filters are specially designed to capture harmful gasses. People who want to make their home dust-free and allergic to particles like pollen, pet dander, and other allergens should invest in traditional air filters. But these filters can be used together also so if someone can afford both of them should buy them and have extremely improved indoor air quality.
Conclusion
Indoor air quality is decreasing in this world day by day and due to that many problems are occurring which include dusty homes, allergies, and respiratory issues. To fix this problem air filters were created. They have many types and some of them are effective at removing gaseous substances and some remove solid particles and liquid droplets from the air. The carbon air filters are effective at removing harmful gasses and VOCs. On the other hand, traditional air filters are efficient at removing airborne particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, etc.
A carbon air filter can provide benefits like improved indoor air quality, unpleasant odor removal, elimination of harmful gasses, etc. The traditional air filter provides benefits like increased air quality, Improved energy efficiency of the HVAC system, removal of allergens, etc. People who are sensitive to gasses and VOCs should invest in carbon air filters otherwise they should buy a traditional air filter because it will protect them and the HVAC system’s components too. In case you are searching for an air filter that suits your needs then Custom Filters Direct will provide you one, for more information contact us at (877) 749-1748.
