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When you are new to owning a home, it’s not likely that you are aware of the different types of filters that you can use in your HVAC system. The type of filter you use is important not only to ensure that air moves through your heating and cooling system without issue but also to help maintain the high quality of your indoor air. Most filters receive a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating that informs you of the level of filtration that they provide. Let’s take a more detailed look at the different types of filters and how each one affects your indoor air quality (IAQ).
Types of Air Filters for Home HVAC Systems
You can consider washable filters for most HVAC systems, but they often lack a MERV rating. Ideally, you want some type of rating to ensure a degree of filtration in your home, but having a MERV rating that is too high will only force your HVAC system to work harder than it needs to in order to heat and cool your living space. Here are some types of filters you might consider.
Carbon Filters
This type of filter is ideal for removing odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. They can absorb chemicals and odors from the air with ease, but they are not great for removing dust and smaller allergen particles from the air. MERV ratings for these filters tend to vary. You will need to change these filters every three to six months.
Fiberglass Filters
These filters are a disposable option that mainly ensures that airflow is consistent and does not become blocked in the system. It has a relatively low MERV rating, typically between 1 and 4. Ideally, change these filters monthly.
Pleated Filters
This is a slightly higher filter that typically has a MERV rating between 5 and 13. These cotton or polyester filters can capture dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens with ease. Most households without high allergens will choose this level of filtration. You should change a pleated filter every two to three months.
Electrostatic Filters
This filter type is capable of capturing bacteria and other pollutants like dust mites and animal dander. The static charge of these filters attracts allergens with ease. They will have a MERV rating between 4 and 10. There are reusable options that you will need to clean monthly, but you will need to change the disposable options every three months.
HEPA Filters
High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture 99.97% of the airborne particles that you see in an indoor environment. It will remove anything larger than 0.3 microns from the air, which makes it ideal for someone with heavy allergies or asthma. These are not typically for home use, but with modifications, they will not restrict the airflow in the home. The MERV for these filters ranges from 17 to 20. We recommend that you change HEPA filters approximately every six months.
How to Decide Which Filter Is Best for Your Home
When deciding which type of filter is best for your home, take into consideration what you wish to remove from the air in your home. Do you have someone at home with severe asthma or another respiratory issue? If so, a HEPA filter could be an excellent option to ensure their breathing problems are not exacerbated. If you have a smoker who lives with you and occasionally smokes indoors, then a carbon filter will help eliminate the smoke from the air. Pleated or electrostatic filters may be ideal for removing pet dander if you have multiple pets in your home.
When you have variables in your home that will put more irritants into the air, you will need to change the filters more frequently. That said, if individuals in your home have asthma or allergies, filter changes should occur monthly, regardless of the type of filter you are using. The same is true when you have pets in your home because their dander can clog the filter more quickly. If you are unsure about when to change the filter, take a look at it once a month to see if it is dirty and needs changing or not.
Other Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Though a sound filtration system is going to help improve your IAQ, it may not be the initial cause of the quality of your air. Let’s explore some additional tips that will help you improve the air quality inside your home.
Clean Surfaces Regularly
Dust often settles on surfaces within your home. You can remove this from the air that you breathe by dusting your surfaces more regularly. This dust can be present on all surfaces, including the floor. Be sure to thoroughly dust and vacuum your living space to help prevent dust from getting into the ducts and vents and circulating throughout your home.
Control Humidity Levels
Humidity levels influence the accumulation of dust and pollen on your HVAC system’s filters. Therefore, if there is consistently high humidity in your home, it’s important to address this issue. Moreover, wet filters tend to clog more easily, and pleated and fiberglass filters can foster mold and bacteria growth. If humidity remains a concern, feel free to consult our team at 865 HVAC about the possibility of installing a whole-home dehumidifier in your HVAC system.
Consider Ultraviolet Filtration
Ultraviolet filtration uses UV-C light to sanitize the air in your home more thoroughly. It is often installed in front of the filter so that as bacteria and viruses go through the light they deactivate so that they can no longer harm you. This is an option for homes where elderly individuals live or those with immune systems that need a little extra help with excess germs. UV filtrations complement other types of air filters that you use in your HVAC system. This method of filtration does not capture dust and pet dander, but it works well in combination with a pleated filter.
Install an Air Purifier in Your Home
If you are using a regular pleated or charcoal filter in your home, but you have allergens that have been flaring up recently. You can try to add an air purifier to your HVAC system to help improve the air quality and catch smaller particles. In fact, you can even find air purifiers with HEPA filtration, so you do not have to modify your HVAC system to accommodate the use of HEPA filters. If you want to install a whole-home air purifier into your HVAC system, we can help.
Contact a Reliable HVAC Company
With the right air filter in your home, you can improve the quality of the air by up to 60%. At 865 HVAC, we are a close-knit family who care about the quality of the air in your home. We have been serving the Knoxville area for more than 20 years, and you are as close to our team as family. For all of your HVAC and air quality needs, contact us today, and we’ll schedule an appointment for AC maintenance.
