According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “Minnesota typically has four or five [air quality alerts] per winter, and more are possible as the weather warms.” That dirty air can get inside your home, and added to sources of contaminants within your home, can result in awfully dirty indoor air. Using the best air filter for your home and circumstances can moderate that impact, but simply buying the most expensive isn’t necessarily the same as buying the best.
Modern Upgrades
Back when most domestic HVAC filters were inch-thick, fiberglass pads, conventional wisdom held they should be ch
anged – or at least inspected – monthly. Those filters were designed to protect your equipment from damage, but did little to arrest airborne contamination that can be harmful, or at least unpleasant, to home occupants.
Times have changed, and homeowners now have numerous HVAC filter choices.
New Options
In recent years, several innovations have been brought to the marketplace that can improve filtering performance, while still using the traditional “slot” filter holder that’s built into most HVAC installations. These options include:
- High-efficiency, zig-zag pleated filters, which can remove as much as 90 percent of mold spores and pet dander, relieving many asthma symptoms
- Units manufactured with a built-in electrostatic charge, which even grab bacteria and soot particles, reducing risks from viruses and benefiting those suffering from pulmonary ailments
Although these filters can last up to three months, they should be inspected monthly. If the filter has darkened, or is otherwise obviously clogged, it should be replaced immediately.
Importance of Inspection
Because the newer-style filters are more dense, they can negatively impact the performance of your HVAC installation if left unattended. An aggregation of small particles will increase the filter’s resistance to air flow, in turn causing the equipment to work harder and run less efficiently. Decreased efficiency translates directly into increased energy bills. Perhaps worse, the additional strain can cause premature component failure.
Maximizing filter performance is important, but must be balanced with sound advice on system maintenance. The best air filter for one home may not be the best next door; variables such as numbers of pets, exposure to environmental dust and even house cleaning routines all have an impact. In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, your best resource is Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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