By: Bimol Bee
Submitted: 2011-10-30 05:06:20 | Word Count: 514
All heating and air conditioning units (HVAC) are different, but with HVAC filters no specific kind of filter is necessary. Choosing an HVAC filter you'll need to take into account numerous options. As all HVAC filters are unique, it's important to consider the following characteristics while choosing the proper filter for your home or business: filter size, air flow and air quality and dust/dander removal.
Filter Size
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To have a proper air flow and air quality it's important to select the proper size of a filter. The matter is that every HVAC unit is constructed differently. Thus, every unit requires differently-sized filter. If the filter has a wrong size it won't fit your unit, so don't even buy it! The wrong size will add to the minimizing of the air flow cleaning potential.
Air Flow
The greater number of filters should be replaced every month. However, a high performance filter can effectively serve for ninety days. The matter is that the dust, dander and other particles inside the cycling of air between the establishment and unit can limit the air flow. And a dirty filter will function much worse; besides, the air won't be as clean as it's necessary. Unfortunately, HVAC system's parts can break down if the unit and its components are too worked out.
Air Quality
People buying an air filter to fight their allergies consider it important to have high-quality air in their homes and working places. The quality of the air filter chosen by you may determine the way people work in your company or the state of health of your closest people.
Every type of filter offers various characteristics and advantages concerning the air quality. Probably, the best filter able to remove big amounts of dust and dander is a pleated filter. But if pleated filters aren't suitable for you, many filters are sold in tightly woven formats catching more particles than usual.
Every filter accomplishes a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating. The higher the MERV rating, the less particles can pass through the filter. Usually, filters with a 1-4 rating can be easily washed, they are electrostatic or fiberglass throwaways. A 5-8 rating usually encompasses pleated, cartridge and some throwaway filters. Filters having higher ratings offer superior air quality.
The most popular kinds of filters are:
1. Fiberglass air filters, being cheaper than others, shouldn't be used in any HVAC unit. These filters have a low air flow quality but are excellent for people who forget to change their filters.
2. A poly filter uses an electrostatic charge enabling it to catch more dust and dander.
3. An electrostatic filter is permanent and easily washed, requiring cleaning each month, otherwise it'll restrict air flow.
4. High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter easily removes almost all allergens from the air passing through the HVAC equipment catching particles with its thick pleated surface. If not properly cleaned it can restrict air flow. HEPA filters can be cleaned and reused.
5. Pleated filters are considered the most effective ones. Being cheap they offer really high quality of the air.
