Tips For Choosing The Right Filter For Your HVAC System
For new homeowners, managing the HVAC system can be challenging. From the filters to the routine maintenance, sometimes it's hard to know what you should be doing. The filters in your HVAC system are an important consideration because they have a direct effect on the air quality in your home. Here are some of the filter options that you need to consider as you choose your home's HVAC filter replacements.
Fiberglass
When you're just looking for the most affordable solution or you want a filter that is going to allow the most possible airflow, fiberglass filters are the best option. They offer a minimal amount of filtration, but they do block larger particles, hair, and dust. These are an acceptable option for those who don't have special household considerations, like pets, those with allergies, or those with chronic respiratory problems in the home. They don't, however, provide enough filtration when there are special considerations to factor in.
Pleated
Pleated filters are among the most popular and traditional filter styles. These are the ones that resemble accordions in their shape. They are usually a bit thicker, which means that air flows slower through the filter. This reduces your airflow, which increases your home energy costs for heating and cooling.
However, the tighter weave of this filter also means that it's better at keeping smaller particles out of your home's air distribution. Pet hair, pollens, and similar things are more likely to be caught with this type of filter than with a fiberglass one.
HEPA
Particularly when you have someone in your home with respiratory issues, allergies, or other vulnerabilities, you need to make sure that you keep your home's air as clean as possible. That often means opting for a HEPA-style filter. HEPA filters are high-efficiency filters that are designed to purify air at the particulate level.
That means that everything from pollen to bacteria in the air will be filtered out of the air when it passes through a HEPA filter. You can rest assured that the air in your home is as clean as it can possibly be with a filter like this.
The more you understand about your filter options, the easier it will be for you to pick the right filter for your home's HVAC system. Talk with a technician offering HVAC services today for more information about the right filters for your unit and what you need to do to change them.