Clark Heating and Cooling blog
AIR FILTERS: CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE
What kind of air filter should I buy?
Great question, because there are a lot of different types of filters out there. The right one for your A/C unit will depend on a few different things:
1. Budget (be careful here, low budget air filters may cost you in the long run)
2. Environment, type of A/C unit
3. Filter size
4. Level of filtration required.
WHAT KINDS OF AIR FILTERS ARE OUT THERE?
1. Fiberglass/Polyester: Disposable and inexpensive, they capture large particles like lint and dust.
2. Pleated: These air filters are disposable and have a larger surface area. This means they can capture more particles than basic fiberglass or polyester filters.
3. Electrostatic Filters: These air filters have electrostatic charges which capture both small and large particles. These offer the highest levels of filtration for small particles.
Home Depot provides this handy reference chart for selecting the proper filter for your home:
| FILTER TYPE | BENEFIT |
| Fiberglass or Polyester | Inexpensive, Disposable, Capture large particles (dust & lint) |
| Washable/Reusable | Can be cleaned, Replace every few years, Protect furnace motor, Capture large particles |
| Pleated | Disposable, Have a larger surface area, Capture more particles |
| Electrostatic | Available in disposable or reusable, Electrostatic charge captures both small & large particles |
WHAT DO THEY FILTER?
You'll want to know what the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is of your filter. This will tell you what types of particles it will capture. MERV ratings range from 1-20. The higher the rating, the more particles are filtered. Wikipedia.org provides a nice table to make this easier to understand:
HOW OFTEN SHOULD AIR FILTERS BE CHANGED?
The short answer: when they are dirty. Here in Arizona, it’s recommended you change your air filters once a month. Some filters can be washed and they won’t need to be replaced as often. These types should still be cleaned every month. A/C units work overtime in the desert heat. Keeping them clean and free of dust and dirt lets them run more efficiently and helps reduce the need for costly repairs. Clean filters will also keep your air indoors free of contaminants.
We recommend having your air conditioning and furnace units serviced on a regular basis. To schedule an appointment, please call Clark Heating & Cooling at 602.793.2477 or fill out our service request form.
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