Upgrading Furnace Filters Or Air Conditioner Filters Is One Of The Least Expensive Things You Can Do To Improve Indoor Air Quality

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The average person breathes in about 32,000 pints (18,185 liters) of air per day. Those 32,000 pints contain about 1,120,000,000 particles of dust. Most of these particles are 3 microns or smaller.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.

There are a number of things that effect indoor air quality and efficient air conditioner filters and furnace filters are your primary defense against air quality problems.

Clean air is something we all need for a healthy home environment. The goal of this site is to provide you with information that will help you determine which type of furnace filter or air conditioner filter best meets your needs. In order to reduce indoor air pollution and provide a healthier home environment for your family you need a quality air filter.

Weather you suffer from allergies or just want to provide a healthier environment for your loved ones, the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) industry is full of equipment that can help you maintain good air quality in your home. The key is to decide which equipment is best suited for your needs.

Find Out What Some Of Your Air Conditioner Filter And Furnace Filter Options Are Below

There are many types of air conditioner filters and furnace filters to choose from and efficiencies vary greatly. Based on my twenty years experience in the heating and air conditioning industry there are basically six categories of filters to choose from. Some are very efficient and others provide less than desirable results.

There is really no best air filter but some are better than others and which one is best really depends on your individual needs. Each type of air filter has its positive and negative characteristics.

• Electrostatic Air Filters
• Media Air Filters
• Pleated Air Filters
• HEPA Air Filters
• Activated Carbon Air Filters

The brand name is probably the least important thing to consider in your buying decision and most brands are interchangeable. If you are ordering replacement air filters you only need to know the dimensions of the filter you are replacing (Length, Width and Thickness).

If you are replacing a frame type furnace filter with a pleated filter or electrostatic filter you need to know the dimensions of the filter frame in order to select the proper size pleated or electrostatic replacement. If you are looking for new air filter media pads to install in an existing frame then the same rule applies. Length, Width and Thickness are the measurements that you need to know.

Usually these dimensions are not exact. For example a 20x20x1 filter will actually measure 19.5x19.5x¾. When you order or pick up your new filter the dimensions you ask for will be 20x20x1. This is to allow for variations in filter rack sizes.

If you have a filter with unusual dimensions, most online suppliers offer custom made sizes to meet your needs. The new filter will slide into the furnace filter rack the same as the original one.

Pleated air filters are probably the most popular. These filters provide the best value for your money when it comes to disposable air conditioning filters. Electrostatic filters are the best value when it comes to reusable filters and the best ones will have a lifetime guaranty.

To keep your electronic or electrostatic air filters performing at maximum efficiency it must be cleaned at regular intervals. Filter maintenance also helps to keep your heating or cooling equipment operating at maximum efficiency and reduces operating costs.

A filter that is left in an air conditioning or heating system for extended periods of time can reduce airflow to the point of causing costly equipment breakdowns.

Some of these filters such as through away fiber air filters are not very efficient and will only trap the largest of dust particles, while others such as the electrostatic furnace filter and HEPA air filter will remove over 97 percent of household allergens from the air that passes through it.

It is important to keep in mind that when shopping for a new air filter, discount furnace filters are not always a bargain. It is best to shop for efficiency.

Other Things That Will Help Improve Indoor Air Quality

There are some other things you should consider if you really want the best air quality you can possibly have in your home. These other things are:

• Duct Mounted UV Air Cleaners
• Home Ventilation

Ultra Violet Sterilizers are commonly used to kill bacteria in the air. These units are mounted in your duct system and kill bacteria as it passes through the light emitted from these units. It is important that this equipment be installed correctly for maximum safety and efficiency.

To help reduce infiltration of airborne particles from outside, maintain the filters in your home ventilation equipment also. These heat recovery ventilator and air exchanger filters are usually washable and should be replaced when they deteriorate. Some of these systems have HEPA filters and are extremely efficient. Stop airborne particles before they enter your home and reduce the workload on your furnace filters.