Which Furnace Air Filter is Best for Your Home
Posted on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 @ 12:05 PM
Indoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air. But the reason most people are not aware of this is because microscopic size dust particles are present in the home - not visible to naked eye. Typically, they are suspended in the air due to their small size and the electrostatic charge that they carry. 99% of dust in the home is made up of the tiniest particles, and these are able to even by-pass the body’s system like the nose, and the windpipe. Even the body is designed to filter out only particles greater than 3-5 microns in size and keep them away from the lungs.
Choosing the right furnace filter
Fiberglass air filters are disposable and the least expensive. You can find them in any hardware store. These filters will trap larger-size particles, but not small particles. This is not an effective filter for a home with family members who have allergy problems.
Pleated air filters use a much denser mesh material to trap particles. These will filter out 90% of mold spores and pet dander and they meet the American Lung Association Healthy House Indoor Air Quality Guidelines. Pleated filters only need to be changed every 90 days under normal conditions and it is a very cost-effective solution as these filters typically cost under $20.
Electrostatic filters have a static charge that attracts dust, dirt and other matter and will remove a very high percentage of contaminants from the air. You can wash and reuse these filters. They also have little effect on air flow which enables air conditioning or heating equipment to operate at maximum efficiency.
Air purification systems create an ionized electrical field that neutralizes airborne particles such as dust, pollen and allergens, and eliminates unpleasant odors. These are the best systems to improve indoor air quality and will fill your house quickly with clean, crisp air. Systems are available in room size and for the whole house.
If allergies and respiratory problems aren’t a concern for your family, a fiberglass, pleated or electrostatic air filter can be enough to keep your furnace clean. But it’s important to change or clean the filter every month – remember that dust and dirt are the cause of half the repair calls to service technicians! Care should be taken to maintain your furnace filters properly and change them when required.
If any family members have allergies or if odors, mold, dust or other allergens are a problem and you want cleaner, fresher air, then you should definitely consider an air purification system.
We spend a good part of the day in our homes, so it’s important to maintain healthy air inside our house.
Photo credits: Fiberglass filter (danforthfilters.com), Electrostatic filter (willardpowervac.com), Pleated filter (directindustry.com), Air Purification System (AtmosAir.com).
