Your furnace houses a standard filter that removes large particulate matter from the air circulating through your HVAC system. Unfortunately, this filter doesn’t do much for smaller contaminants, often leading to an increase in allergy symptoms, airway irritation, headaches, and fatigue. There are various advanced air filtration options available for use in your Salem, OR home.
The Basics of Standard Filters
The filter in your furnace likely features a fiberglass or pleated design. It can trap particles that are approximately 0.3 microns in size. Ultrafine particles are around 0.1 microns and account for more than 90% of the particulate matter in your home. However, many homeowners neglect to change their filters regularly.
This neglect can lead to clogged filters that allow more contaminants to circulate, as well as increased strain on your heating and cooling equipment. Your repair costs can add up quickly, and you may even need to replace your equipment more often due to increased wear and tear.
Advanced Filtration Options
If you are interested in using advanced filtration in your home, you can do so in a couple of different ways. You can upgrade the type of filter in your furnace, which removes more particulates as your HVAC system runs. Alternatively, you can install a whole-house filtration system onto your HVAC system. This equipment will use high-quality filters in addition to your furnace filter, removing as much as 99.97% of the particulate matter in your home.
Considering Minimum-Efficiency Reporting Value
There is a minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV for short, which is assigned to the filters used in HVAC systems and filtration equipment. Most furnaces utilize filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 12. Anything below this range will allow a significant amount of particulate matter to continue circulating inside your home. Anything above 12 can lead to airflow restrictions, resulting in HVAC problems.
A general rule of thumb is to avoid purchasing the highest-rated MERV filter available in hopes of protecting your indoor air quality. Instead, refer to the recommendations outlined by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling equipment to see what kind of filter they suggest using. You can also speak with our team to find out more about the type of filter you should use and how often you should change it.
Different Types of Filters
A MERV rating provides key information about a specific filter and also indicates different materials and types of filters to consider.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters
A high-efficiency particulate air filter, or HEPA for short, is very effective at removing common household contaminants such as pollen, cigarette smoke, pet dander, dust, and mold spores. Most HEPA filters are too restrictive for a standard furnace. Therefore, they are commonly used with whole-house filtration devices.
Activated Carbon Filters
When you walk into your home, your indoor air should smell fresh and clean. If you have several lingering odors, they can negatively affect the overall comfort and safety of your household. A musty smell can indicate the presence of mold spores in your air and inside your HVAC system. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short, are also a major concern.
These chemicals are byproducts of various items like air fresheners, chemical-based cleaning supplies, new building materials, and beauty products. Long-term exposure to VOCs can result in symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. A high concentration of VOCs in your home can even lead to an increased risk of cancer.
Activated carbon filters are available for both furnaces and whole-house filtration units. Consider consulting an HVAC professional to review your options.
Electrostatic Filtration
If you want to save money by not having to replace physical filters every 30 to 90 days, consider having an electrostatic filtration device installed in your HVAC system. Electronically charged collection plates will attract oppositely charged particulate matter. Instead of these contaminants becoming trapped in a physical filter, they will be held on the collection plates. You simply remove the plates and clean them periodically, eliminating the need for filters. This is a very effective and efficient method for improving your indoor air quality. Electrostatic filtration is used as an addition to your standard furnace filter.
UV Light Technology
While UV light technology doesn’t trap particulate matter circulating in your indoor air, it can be very effective in removing bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. This is done by damaging the cellular structure of these microorganisms, rendering them harmless. A UV light emits UV-C radiation and is usually installed on the evaporator coil of your air handler, inside a return air duct, or directly above the evaporator coil. A professional can determine the best placement of a UV light based on the design of your HVAC system.
Washable Filters
Another way to save money on filters for your HVAC system and air purification equipment is to invest in washable filters. These filters do not need to be replaced every few months. Rather, you can remove them when they are dirty and wash them thoroughly. You need to let the filter dry completely before putting it back into your furnace. Otherwise, this can introduce moisture into your HVAC system, which can promote the growth of mold.
Washable filters are not always an ideal option for people with allergies. Even though you may attempt to wash your filter thoroughly, some particulate matter may still be left behind. This can substantially decrease the quality of your indoor air, leading to an increase in allergy symptoms. In this scenario, it is ideal to completely replace your filter, which should be a part of your regular AC and furnace maintenance routine.
Pleated Air Filters
Regardless of whether you’re purchasing a filter for your HVAC system or a whole-house purification setup, pleated filters are more effective than flat filters. Due to the increased surface area of the filter, more particulates can be trapped. Most pleated filters will last between 30 and 90 days.
How Often Do I Change My Filter?
The frequency with which you change your filter will depend on several factors. For instance, filters may need to be changed more often during times of the year when you frequently run your heating or cooling equipment. You might not operate your whole-house purification equipment all the time, which can reduce the need for frequent replacements.
Most furnace filters are designed to last between 30 and 90 days. This time frame may be shorter if you or someone in your household suffers from allergies or respiratory issues.
You can check your filter to see if it needs to be changed. Check if light passes through the filter. If it doesn’t, it’s likely dirty and unable to trap much more particulate matter. You may also notice clumps of debris on your filter.
Work With Professionals To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Woodward Heating Air Plumbing can help you assess and improve the quality of your indoor air and determine ways to make improvements. We can install whole-house air filtration equipment and help you in setting up a schedule for changing your furnace filter. Reach out to Woodward Heating Air Plumbing in Salem today to schedule an appointment with our expert team.
