The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHARE) recommends a MERV 6 or higher for most residential areas. Most people use a MERV 8 filter, which can remove contaminants effectively. Hospitals, on the other hand, use MERV 14 to MERV 20. Most disposable filters for home air conditioning systems are fiberglass.
Polyester filters, although more expensive, offer an improved ability to stop dust and allergens. Pleated designs tend to have higher MERV ratings. If you belong to that group, a Health Shield air filter is a must. Pet dander is small, and a MERV 8 filter probably won't be enough for allergy sufferers, and that fiberglass nonsense certainly isn't.Essential+ and Health Shield will be effective against pet dander.
If you are allergic, wear the MERV 13 health shield. If you're not allergic, but have pets, Essential+ will work well for you. The best air filters trap indoor pollutants, such as dust, pet dander, and pollen, helping to clean the air in your home. The reason fiberglass is often recommended is that people don't remember to change the filter. Checking the dimensions of your current air filter is the easiest way to determine the size you will need.
Because static electricity is really the only filtering mechanism they use, they have difficulty attracting larger particles that are more difficult to extract with a charge. Washable electrostatic filters are metal frame filters that are designed to be washed and reused rather than replaced. A MERV-5 or -6 filter is approximately twenty-five percent effective at removing larger particles, such as mold spores and larger dust particles. Learn about the different types of home air filters that will help you decide which one might be right for you. The oven has to work a little harder to push air through a pleated filter, but the resulting improvement in indoor air quality is generally worth the minute increase in energy costs.
A clogged filter, which can lead to reduced efficiency and poor air quality, is one of the most common HVAC problems faced by homeowners in Brighton, IL. As a result, when tight-woven materials are used in a one-inch filter (to filter smaller particles), the filter quickly becomes too restrictive. If you select a filter that screens the smallest and finest particles, the air flow of the air conditioner and heating system could be restricted, resulting in unsatisfactory performance and efficiency. However, there are ways to mess up the job, for example, buying an incorrectly sized filter or placing it upside down, which can block airflow rather than cleaning it. Also consider running the system fan longer, or continuously, since HVAC systems filter air only when the fan is running. Just remember to check the MERV rating, as being labeled “electrostatic” doesn't necessarily guarantee a more efficient filter.
Because a media filter has much more surface area than a one-inch filter, you can use a MERV 11 filter, which is approximately eighty-five percent effective with mold spores and larger dust particles.
