It’s every homeowner’s desire to enhance the quality of air indoors. It is crucial, especially if your loved ones have respiratory complications. The filters in your heating and cooling system help trap hazardous substances like pollen and dirt, allowing you to breathe comfortably. Without adequate knowledge shopping for air filters can be quite overwhelming. Especially, since there’s plenty of options available in the market. Identifying the various types is the first step toward having clean and fresh air in your home. The following information will guide you in choosing the type that best suits your needs.
HEPA filters are a reliable and efficient option. Research shows that they are able to trap more than 99.9% of contaminants from your indoor air. It's a great relief if you have asthma or allergies. They work by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps the harmful allergens. In addition, their design allows them to capture large pollutants, enhancing their effectiveness. It would be best to replace your filters every six to 12 months. At this time, they are usually dirty or clogged hence ineffective.
Are you looking to eliminate microorganisms from your home? Ultra Violet light filters will help you achieve that. They eliminate mold and other air-borne contaminants by deactivating them using UV light. Additionally, they produce germicidal radiation that disinfects the air that goes through them. Despite their efficiency, they still have some disadvantages. Firstly, they only remove microorganisms leaving other contaminants such as dust. Therefore, it would be best if you used them in conjunction with other filters. Also, the cost of acquiring them is relatively higher than other filters. Experts recommend replacing the lamps annually because they slowly lose their effectiveness over time. This, however, depends on the brand and the system type/model.
Washable filters are an eco-friendly option. Their purchase price is relatively high. However, you should consider it an investment that will last several years. They have a maintenance instruction manual that you should adhere to. Rinse them with water or vacuum them to remove dust build-up on the surface. It's vital to ascertain they are completely dry before re-installing. The moisture traces left cause mold growth, consequently worsening the quality of air indoors. Clean them at least once a month to boost their efficiency. With proper care and maintenance, you'll only do a replacement after five to 10 years.
Deciding on the type of AC filters can be very confusing. The market has wide varieties with different functionality. Thus, it's essential to involve your technician when purchasing one. They will guide you on the best option based on your home requirements.