Different Furnace Filters Explained By An AC Repair Company | Bullhead City, AZ

The HVAC system of your Bullhead City, AZ, home has many parts that ensure its seamless operation. For instance, it requires a fuel source to power its operation. The furnace uses a gas source, and the AC system uses electricity. The HVAC ductwork system is crucial as it helps air circulation throughout your home. It directs the untreated air to the filters, where it is cleaned, and your system then circulates the air through the ductwork to the entire house. When air moves through the air filter, the filter removes airborne particles that can damage the sensitive components of the HVAC system. In addition, the filter removes the pollutants affecting air quality when efficiently installed by an AC repair company technician. Below are four different types of furnace filters available in the market.

Fiberglass Filter

The fiberglass filter is made from spun fiberglass. It is about an inch thick. Initially, the fiberglass material was well known for household insulation products and solid construction. However, fiberglass is more affordable when used to make filters than traditional filter-making materials. The fiberglass air filter is a disposable filter that has a MERV rating of 7. Therefore, with the low MERV rating, this filter does not catch many particles. Some small particles will get through the fiberglass filter to your airflow circulation. Therefore, most AC repair company technicians advise that you should replace the fiberglass filter in a month. Notably, the fiberglass filters have a lower purchase. However, this is not as advantageous because their life span is only 30 days long, which makes them a poor choice for your home.

Pleated Filters

This filter can be made from various cotton, paper, or polyester materials. Due to some folding, they have a large surface area relevant to their size. Consequently, they have different and varying widths. As its name suggests, you can see folds due to the pleats. Notably, pleated filters do not expand or contract. However, its material and surface area make it a practical filter choice for business, especially for your home. Therefore, when in the market for an HVAC system, it is advisable to consider this type. In addition, consult an AC repair company technician on the best size and width of your home.

The pleated filter has a MERV rating of 8 to 13, which is among the highest residential use ratings. Therefore, this type of filter will trap most contaminants in your home, thus giving you good indoor air quality. The eradication of pollutants from your breathing air facilitates your family’s health by eliminating the risk of respiratory illnesses. The pleated filter is disposable. Therefore, due to its MERV rating, most AC repair company technicians advise replacing it every 1-3 months. In addition, the replacement frequency also depends on whether you have pets in your home and the usage time of your HVAC system.

HEPA Filters

The HEPA filter is also known as the High-Frequency Particulate Air filter. When searching for an HVAC system for your home, this is one of the best furnace filter options in any AC repair company. Notably, the HEPA filter is a primary component in air purification systems. However, they can also be used in standalone units. HEPA filters can clean the air better than the other four filter types. Some models have a built-in UV light which disrupts the DNA of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and pathogens and removes them from your airflow. On the other hand, other HEPA filter models incorporate Granular Activated Carbon layers, further boosting the filter’s efficacy. Therefore, the HEPA filter is among the best filters in the market.

Most people consider this type of filter as an exaggerated option for homes. However, AC repair company professionals will advise this as the best option for your Bullhead City, AZ home, especially if the home has people suffering from pre-existing breathing conditions such as asthma or allergies. The main disadvantage of this type of filter is that not all HVAC systems accommodate them, and they are more expensive than the other types. Therefore, it is best to consult an AC repair company technician to know if your HVAC system can incorporate this filter. The HEPA filter needs to be replaced after 12 to 18 months.

Washable Filters

The market’s most available filters are disposable units with a lifespan of between 30 and 90 days, depending on the material, make, and model. However, this does not mean they are the only options in the market. If you want something more permanent and do not mind paying a bit extra, washable filters are an option. The washable filter has models that can last for ten years and above before replacement. However, this is dependent on how carefully you wash and dry them. Therefore, it is advisable to consult an AC repair company technician on the best way to clean and dry these filters. Although this may seem attractive for your Bullhead City, AZ home, this filter has some disadvantages.

For starters, most washable filter models have a MERV rating of 4, which is considerably low. This filter will trap contaminants such as dust mites and pollen, but other pollutants, such as mold spores, will pass through into your breathing air. Therefore, this is not the best option for you if you have an allergy. Secondly, their cleaning and drying procedures must be precise to avoid damage. In addition, if not cleaned or dried properly, the filter might cause health issues for your family.

For instance, if you place the filter back while not adequately dry, it can be an ideal place for mold to breed, which can cause respiratory problems. Thirdly, washable filters are more expensive. Therefore, before purchasing this type of filter, it is crucial that you go through these disadvantages. Consequently, if they do not deter you, consult an AC repair company professional to guide you on how to clean the filters.

Contact us at Pitzer’s One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Mohave County for any HVAC system needs or guidance.

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