Air filters are in every HVAC system and changing them regularly should be part of your home’s routine maintenance. The filter’s purpose is to remove impurities from the air you have circulating in your home. Regularly changing the air filter ensures you have clean air, and it plays a huge part in keeping your HVAC system running smoothly and cooling efficiently. Your filter should be changed every 4-6 weeks.
The air filter is usually located near the air handler, typically in your basement, attic, or utility closet. If you have a larger home, you might have more than one HVAC, so make sure you change the filters in all of them.
Size:
Having the right size filter is crucial to its effectiveness. Figure out what size you need by removing and checking the old filter, the size should be printed on the side. If not, look at the operator’s manual or measure the old filter’s length, width, and thickness.
The standard thickness of an air filter is 1 inch however, filters are available in thicknesses up to 6 inches. A thicker filter extends the time before you need to change it.
Types:
Polyester or fiberglass are the most common disposable air filters due to their affordability and ability to trap common particles like dust and lint.
Pleated are disposable and have a better ability to capture smaller particles with their larger surface area.
HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) can remove almost all dust, pollen, and mold.
Washable can be cleaned and reused.
Electrostatic has disposable and reusable options. They work by generating static electricity to capture particles.
MERV Ratings:
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ( MERV ) is used to help you determine the effectiveness of an air filter for your home needs. The system rates on a scale of 1-20 with the 20 being the most effective. A minimum rating of 6 is recommended and a rating of 8-13 is most common for residential use.
- 1 – 4: Pollen, dust mites, dust, and small fibers.
- 5 – 8: Mold spores, hair spray, dust mites, animal dander, and cement dust.
- 9 – 12: Humidifier dust, lead dust, auto emissions, and milled flour.
- 13 and above: Household dust and pollen, pet dander, outdoor pollution, mold spores, microscopic allergens, bacteria, most tobacco smoke, sneeze bacteria, and virus carriers.
Changing your home’s air filter regularly and getting an annual tune-up are the best preventative measures you can take to ensure your HVAC runs smoothly and efficiently for years. While changing the air filter is a simple task most homeowners can do themselves, a tune-up should be performed by an honest and reputable HVAC company.
At Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling , We Want to be Your HVAC maintenance Hero! We strive to enrich our community with an unmatched focus on customer happiness. That means always—and respectfully— providing responsive service, quality work, fair pricing, and honest guidance. Schedule an Appointment today and we’ll come service your HVAC so it’s running at peak efficiency.
