Choosing a Furnace/Air Conditioner Filter
Choosing good furnace filters and keeping them changed on a
regular basis will greatly increase furnace efficiency and improve air quality
in a home. The type of filter selected is not as important as making sure that
furnace filters are changed often and regularly, but a variety of choices do
exist. Some of the most common varieties of furnace filters include
electrostatic furnace filters, pleated furnace filters, HEPA furnace filters,
and activated charcoal furnace filters.
Electrostatic furnace filters hold an electrostatic charge that
helps to attract dust particles and trap them in the filter so they don’t
circulate as pollutants in the air inside the home. Electrostatics furnace
filters allow for maximum air flow and yet still trap lots of dust. The best
furnace filters do not impede air flow (for maximum furnace efficiency), but
still remove contaminants and dirt (for cleaner inside air). Electrostatic
furnace filters are a practical, all-purpose option and are economical too.
Pleated furnace filters work by trapping dust on the surface of
the filter (instead of within the filter material itself). When dust
accumulates on the surface, the air flow efficiency is reduced. By pleating the
filter surface, the filter can manage more efficient air circulation while
still leaving plenty of surface area to trap dirt. The more pleats, the more
efficient the air flow and the less frequently the furnace filters have to be
changed. Pleated furnace filters are very easy to find, reasonably priced, and
work quite well, but they do need to be changed frequently to maximize
efficiency.
HEPA furnace filters are good for people who have allergies to
dust and/or mold, or people who are especially concerned about air quality for
any other reason. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance, which
simply means the filter is designed to trap as many dust and pollution
particles as technologically possible. To qualify as a HEPA furnace filter, the
filter must be able to trap at least 99.97% of all particles in the air or
more. As might be expected, HEPA filters are more expensive than pleated or
electrostatic furnace filters, but for people dealing with allergies, or for
households with very young children, HEPA furnace filters can be worth the
extra cost.
Activated charcoal furnace filters are especially good at
absorbing smells and smoke residue, leaving the air inside the home smelling
and feeling fresh and clean without the need to resort to air freshening sprays
or candles. Like HEPA filters, activated charcoal furnace filters also cost a
bit more than electrostatic or pleated furnace filters, but they are a great
choice for homes that include a cigarette smoker, since they do help remove the
smell of cigarette smoke and the dirty residue cigarettes generate. They are
also a good choice for homes with pets and pet odor issues. Activated charcoal
furnace filters are made from a filter material that contains millions of
‘pores’ surrounded by charcoal particles. The charcoal removes odors remarkably
well while the pores allow for good air flow.
Whichever furnace filter is chosen, it is important to make sure
that a filter is changed regularly, especially during high-use winter months
when forced air heat can distribute lots of irritating dust and mold into the
air. Some furnace filters (such as HEPA filters) can even cut down on colds and
flu by keeping the particulate matter circulating inside the home to a bare
minimum.
