The overall performance of your air conditioner depends on the kind of air filter you choose to use. Many people often do not realize the importance of this simple part of the air conditioner. It is essential that you choose the right custom air filter to maintain the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner system. The main purpose of these air filters is to capture dust, dirt, allergens, and other kinds of harmful airborne particles.
It prevents these pollutants from circulating in your home and causing many different kinds of health problems like asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory health issues. If you do not use the right custom air filter for your system then not only it will provide you with poor air quality but can also cause damage to your air conditioner system resulting in reducing its efficiency.
This can also become the reason for getting higher energy bills as your AC will require you to work harder to provide you with the desired temperature. In this blog, we will talk about what custom air filters are and why they matter along with some tips for selecting the custom air filter, information on how to maintain them properly, and some of the most common errors that many people often make while selecting an air filter.
What Are Custom Air Filters And Why Do They Matter?
Many people get confused between air filters and custom air filters because they do not know the difference between them. Custom air filters are a kind of air filter that is specifically designed to meet the unique needs and requirements of your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system. The standard air filters are manufactured in identical sizes and use the same kind of materials, the custom air filters are built to match the exact size of your HVAC unit. The perfect fit increases the efficiency of the filter and makes sure that your air conditioner is providing you with peak performance. Custom air filters are also made by using high-quality materials like carbon and HEPA. You also get multiple benefits from using a custom air filter it can extend the lifespan of your HVAC system by reducing the workload and enhancing the indoor air quality.
Top Tips For Selecting Custom Air Filters
To make sure that you are getting the best air quality it is essential that you choose the right custom air filter for your HVAC system. There are many things that you should consider while buying an air filter as it helps you in making the most informed decisions for your specific needs. Below you will find some essential tips that will help you simplify the process of picking the perfect filter for you.
1. Measure The Correct Size And Dimensions
The very first thing that you should do before buying a custom air filter is to measure the size and dimension of your HVAC system. This will help you to be better informed about the size that you require to increase the performance. It is incredibly easy to take the measurements for your air filter. You can use a tape or a ruler to measure the length, width, and depth of the slot. After taking the measurements make sure that you double-check it to be completely sure that you have the right dimensions. If you choose an air filter that is either too large or too small then it will cause restrictions in the airflow and offer you inefficient filtration.
2. Check Filter Compatibility With Your AC
It is important that you check the compatibility of the custom air filter with your air conditioning system before selecting an air filter. There are different types of HVAC systems and each one of them has a different requirement which includes the size, type, and materials. You can check the manufacturer’s guidelines or the user manual to gain information about what kind of custom air filter will be the most compatible with your AC. It can be quite problematic to use the wrong type of air filter with your HVAC system. A non-compatible air filter will lead to a reduction the efficiency, can cause damage to your system, and cancel your warranty.
3. Choose The Right Filter Material
Another important factor that you should consider while selecting a custom air filter is the material. There are plenty of different types of materials that are used to manufacture these custom air filters. Each one of them offers you unique advantages if you pick a fiberglass air filter then it will be able to provide you with basic filtration. Pleated filters offer you better performance while covering a higher surface area. If you are looking for advanced-level filtration then it is best to choose the HEPA filter as it is quite popular for its quality of trapping even the smallest of particles that size is about 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97 percent.
4. Understand The MERV Rating
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is essential that you check for the MERV rating of the custom air filter that you are choosing to buy. The MERV ratings display the level of efficiency in trapping airborne particles like dust, dirt, pollen, and other pollutants of an air filter. The higher the MERV ratings are the better filtration it will be able to provide you. The MERV ratings range from 1 to 20 however, the most suitable air filters for residential areas come in between 8 to 13. If there is any person who is suffering from allergies or respiratory health problems like asthma or living in an area with a massive amount of pollution then it is highly recommended to choose a higher MERV rating air filter.
5. Assess Your Air Quality Requirements
The best thing about custom air filters is that they can be customized according to your specific needs and requirements. So, before start looking for an air filter to buy it is vital for you to know about the air quality requirements you need. If you have pets in your home an individual who has a habit of smoking or any member of your family is suffering from health problems like asthma or allergies then it is important that you choose an air filter that will be able to capture the contaminants in your house. Filters with high MERV ratings or have activities carbon can help you remove odors and gasses while trapping dust, dirt, and even pet dander.
Maintenance Advice For Custom Air Filters
It is essential that you keep your custom air filters well-maintained to make sure that you are getting improved air quality while your AC system is working smoothly. Read on to discover some valuable advice that you should implement to maintain the efficiency of your custom air filter.
1. Replacement Of Custom Air Filter: You need to make sure that replace you your air filter is replaced every 90 days. However, the frequency of replacement depends on various factors including the type of custom air filter you are using, the environment you use the air filter, and how much you use your HVAC system. Homes with pets or people with allergies should frequently replace the air filters.2. Signs Your Filter Needs Replacement: There are certain signs that you start to see when your air filter needs to be replaced. The very first thing you will observe is that there is a reduction in the flow of air while your AC is making unusual noises and you start to get higher energy bills. A dirty air filter can allow the dust to enter your home and make the filter visible dirty or discolored.
3. Regularly Clean Reusable Filters: One of the most important advice for maintaining the air filter is to clean. For cleaning it you need to make sure to be extra cautious so you do not harm yourself or damage the HVAC system. You can vacuum it to lose the dirt and use a soft brush for better cleaning. However, always remember to turn off the power before you start to clean.
Common Errors To Avoid With Air Filters
There are some of the most common mistakes that many people often make with their air filters. It is important that you know about these mistakes so that you can avoid them. Below you will see the common errors that you should not do
- Do not use an incorrect-size air filter otherwise, it will cause air leaks and reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
- Never ignore the MERV ratings or you will not get the level of air filtration that you require. It can also cause restriction in airflow.
- Not paying attention to replacing your air filters. It can cause clogs and increase your energy bills.
- Not providing proper care and maintenance to your air filter. It can create multiple problems.
- If you do not regularly clean your washable air filter then it can lead to the growth of mold and can cause damage to your HVAC system.
Conclusion
Here, you have learned about custom air filters, how they are different from standard air filters, and why they matter. Some valuable tips like size and dimensions, compatibility, material, MERV rating, and your specific air quality requirements that you should consider before buying a custom air filter. In addition, you also gained knowledge about how should maintain your custom air filter and some of the most common errors that people make with their custom air filters. All of this information will help you to invest in high-quality custom air filters that eventually help you save money in spending on high energy bills while keeping your home environment safe and healthy.
We at Custom Filters Direct can help you get top-quality custom air filters that will perfectly fit your air conditioner and will be able to fulfill your needs and requirements. We have a wide variety of collections of many kinds of materials, sizes, and MERV ratings which make your work easy to choose the best air filter for your home or office. We are committed to providing our customers with the best air filter that will be able to ideal for maintaining the efficiency of the AC unit. You can visit our website to shop for custom air filters and if you have any questions then you can contact us by sending us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com or call us at 877-958-5612. We have expert and friendly employees who are ready to help you.