Most people know that they have a filter somewhere near their furnace that they need to change on a periodic basis. Usually this is a 1″ filter that can be easily changed. But most people don’t know that there are other options available when it comes to furnace filters. The best part is that even if you have just a standard filter, you can usually install any of these filters with some minor air duct adjustments
Your typical 1″ filter that people are most familiar with only remove about 5-8% of the bad things flying around the air in your home. For the most part, this type of filter is only removing the larger dust particles in the air. A pleated version may filter a little more, but usually all they do is restrict air flow, which means your furnace works harder and costs more to operate. If your home has allergy sufferers, this filter is typically not for you. Plus, this filter really needs to be changed on a monthly basis, and with our busy schedules it usually gets forgotten.
There are also media filters available, which typically comes in 4″ or 5″ sizes, depending on the brand you choose. This filter has more surface area to capture particles, so it will remove about 85% of what is in the air. This type of filter starts to take out mold spores and some bacteria, so it can really help allergy sufferers breathe easier. This is also a filter that can be change more infrequently – about 2-3 times per year.
The best type of filter on the market is an electronic air filter. This type of filter uses electricity to draw and kill 99.9% of the particulate matter in your home. This filter is designed to get it all: mold, bacteria, allergens, pet dander, and even the flu virus. This is the filter you have if you are an allergy sufferer, because it can make a huge difference in the cleanliness of the air. This type of filter also works well with homes that have small children. As we are painfully aware, kids in school tend to bring home every germ possible during the school year. This results in sick kids that spreads throughout your home. An electronic air cleaner can help with this.
Contact Hartley’s Climate Control today if you have any questions regarding the type of air cleaner that is best for you and your home. We are always happy to talk about clean air!
mxchartleys December 9th, 2015
Posted In: Furnace, Uncategorized
