Those who suffer from severe allergies will be delighted to know that there are air filters available that can help improve their air quality. Electrostatic filters use fibers that are charged to attract particles in order to filter the air. Depending on your needs, you can purchase disposable or washable electrostatic filters. The MERV ratings of washable filters range from 4 to 10 and they last much longer than regular filters.
When maintaining a washable filter, it is essential to wash it with soap and water and let it dry completely before reinstalling it. If you install it before it is completely dry, mold and mildew can grow. To choose the most effective air filter, the first step is to identify what contaminants you are trying to remove. By having an idea of what you want to eliminate, you can pick the best air filter for the job.
For instance, if you are a smoker, a single HEPA filter won't be enough. An activated carbon filter will be more effective at getting rid of odors. If you are more interested in eliminating allergens such as dust, bacteria, pet dander and mold, it is recommended to buy a purifier with a HEPA filter as they are more efficient at removing larger particles. UV air filters kill these particles without any real filtration but instead use UV rays to remove them as they pass through.
HEPA air filters are installed on wall-mounted return air vents (more common in the south) or on the air handler (more common in the Mid-Atlantic and Northern states, where the air handler is often placed in the basement, near the oven). Since around 25% of outdoor air pollution reaches indoors, outdoor air quality greatly affects indoor air quality and the types of particles that must be removed. If you can't find Nordic Pure in your size or if you prefer to buy and pick up a new filter at a store right away, Honeywell FPR 9 filters and Filtrete MPR 1500 filters are similar and widely available in retail stores. In reality, because the air in your home is constantly recirculating through the ducts and through the filters each time, the cumulative effect of the filters increases.
To learn what type of furnace filter is best for you or how often you should change it, talk to a US Home Filter expert. The decisive test to determine if a filter qualifies as HEPA is its ability to trap at least 99.97% of 0.3 micron air particles. UV filters are not commonly used in homes because they are not ideal for cleaning the air from dust and pollution. In a conversation about the most common filter levels in retail, MERVs from 1 to 16, Owen said that this range “ranges from filters that can catch a golf ball, I'm exaggerating a bit, to filters that catch just about everything.
In addition, an extensive, frequently cited independent test of the effects of MERV filters from 8 to 13 on HVAC airflow and energy consumption (an indicator of team effort) concluded that even “if measures are not taken for the greatest pressure drop of high-MERV filters, the air flow and energy penalties are unlikely to be serious, at least until the filter is loaded with dirt. While traditional air filters have been the most common type of air filter on the market for a long time, carbon air filters are becoming a popular choice for people who have additional concerns about air quality and purification. Below we take a look at the differences between different types of HVAC filters including their benefits, drawbacks and materials used to manufacture them. An air purifier with UV light works well to kill bacteria, viruses, molds and yeasts that may remain in the air.
HEPA air filters are ideal for families suffering from asthma, allergies or respiratory diseases but their price can be a bit high if you're on a budget.
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