Choosing the Right Air Filter

You need to change your air filter on a regular basis for the system to work at its full potential. The use of an air filter protects your HVAC equipment, it does not improve indoor air quality as many of use might assume. Replace your air filter to provide comfort and improve energy efficiency throughout the home. When should I change my filter? When to change your filter depends on the living conditions in your home; dogs, cats and allergies are the biggest factor when to change your air filter.

How Often to Change My Air Filter?

• Single occupant or vacation home without pets: Every 3 to 6 months
• Suburban home without pets: Every 90 days
• One pet lives in home: Every 60 days
• Two or more pets in home: Every 30 to 45 days
• Someone in your home has allergies or respiratory problems: Every 30 to 45 days

Having to change your filter so often is hard to remember, but changing the air filter is one way to keep your system running, set a reminder or put it on your calendar to check the air filter monthly to see if it is dirty and needs to be changed.

What Is the Right Type of Air Filter for Me?

There are many air filters on the market today making it hard to know what filter will work best for your home. Here are some of the most common types air filters that you might be able to use on your HVAC system.

Fiberglass Filters

Fiberglass filters are the most common air filters you will see on the market. They are cheap, available anywhere and are easy to replace. They protect the motors, fans and parts of your HVAC system from buildup of dust and dirt.

Pleated Filters

Pleated filters are made out of polyester and the is folded back and forth to increase the filter’s surface area. The increased surface area allows better air filtration and prevents dust.

High-Efficiency Filters

High-efficiency filters or HEPA filters were first used in hospitals, food industry and other corporate uses where very clean air was needed. Today, these filters are in many residential HVAC systems because they remove 99.97 percent of all particles; dust, mold and allergens.

Washable Filters

Washable filters use static electricity to capture air particles are made for commercial and industrial use. This filter will create a thick layer of dust buildup, then you will spray the filter to clean.