House Air Filter

One often forgotten aspect of a home is replacing air filters. Whether you have a mini-split system or a forced air system, air filters capture particulates and foreign material from being eaten by the fans. However, as time goes on, they become clogged and can no longer flow air as well as they did when new. It’s important to replace these according to recommendations, as restricted airflow can lead to ineffective performance, or even burning up the blower motor. While replacing your air filter, you can even changer the type to filter more particles if you suffer from allergies, carbon filters to remove VOCs and smells if you are sensitive, or cheaper filters to save on money.

Filter Rating

The most confusing aspect of filter quality is the filter rating. While it can be easy to be confused by manufacturer claims, there is a way to compare filters objectively. The MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values refer to what size particles the filter captures. The higher the number, the smaller the particle the filter catches, all the way down to dust, pollen, and even soot and smoke. Basic filters are able to capture dust particles as well as larger materials like hair or other things that may find their way into your air system. Higher-rated filters can capture viruses and soot, but they cost more for the finer filter media. Be careful when selecting the filter, however: too high a MERV rating can cause restrictions in your air system, and lead to poor performance.

Carbon Filters

Some filters contain activated carbon to help clean up VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. Volatile in this case means they freely float off of their source to the air. The activated carbon has very high surface area which reacts to and captures the molecules floating through the air to clean up smells and other harmful chemicals that exist in your home.

Reusable Filters

The most common kind of filter is the disposable filter, however their price may put off the budget-minded. Reusable filters come in all kinds and shapes, and can save you the hassle of having to find the right kind of filter. Typical reusable air filters consist of an aluminum screen that collects dust and lint as they are carried through the filter, though since they are made of aluminum mesh, their MERV rating tends to be low. A variant of these, called electrostatic filters, are designed to hold a static charge on their surface. The static charge helps attract airborne particles to the surface of the filters to capture them from the air. Some reusable filters even boast decent MERV ratings despite their higher flow-through. The final kind we’ll cover are electronic filters. These filters require installation in your HVAC system, and are not a direct drop in like other solutions. They work like electrostatic filters, but instead of a passive charge, they use electronics to put a high voltage charge on the filters. This allows the filter media to consist of metal fins, which offer much better airflow to save furnace wear, while being able to capture particles all the way up to a MERV 11 rating.

Final Notes

Air filters are an important part of your furnace system keeping buildup of dust, lint, and other materials from your systems, cleaning the air you breathe, and keeping your forced-air system from wearing out. Some air filters even come with interesting features, like Bluetooth devices to remind you when your filter needs to be replaced, or scent packs to freshen the smell of your home. Don’t neglect filters, though, as clogged filters can actually hinder the performance of your forced-air system, and cause premature wear on many components. Be sure to check the notes on your system, as it will tell you what MERV rating is best for your system and what size will fit. Also be wary of high capacity filters: more surface area means more material to work through, which can cause your system to work harder. When in doubt, consult a professional on the best filter for your system.