Indoor air quality is an important part of keeping your home safe and healthy. Installing the correct air conditioning filter can mean the difference between stuffy, polluted air and clean air that is easy to breathe.
Types of Air Conditioning Filters
There are many types of AC filters on the market. Some are budget-friendly and filter out major pollutants and contaminants, while other filters are more advanced and filter out even the smallest microparticles.
There are seven common filter types:
- Pleated filters
- Media filters
- Spun glass filters
- HEPA filters
- UV light filters
- Electrostatic filters
- Washable filters
Each filter type has unique characteristics. You should take the pros and cons of each type into consideration when selecting a filter.
Which Type of Filter Is Right for Your Home?
With so many different filter types and several manufacturers on the market, it can be difficult to know which filter is right for your home. When selecting a filter, there are several factors that you should consider.
Size
Most types of AC filters come in a variety of sizes that will fit most traditional systems, but not all. It is important to accurately measure the length and width of your filter before selecting a new one. Additionally, most AC filters for residential units are 1-inch thick, but some units require up to 4-inch filters if there is a high volume of air circulating throughout the home.
Household Needs
One of the biggest factors in selecting an AC filter for your home is how much debris is filtering through your system each day. Households with pets, many individuals living in the home, or frequent visitors will need higher-quality air filters to keep up with the volume.
On the other hand, households with one or two people, no pets, or second homes usually don’t need a top-of-the-line option.
What If You Select the Wrong Filter?
If you select an AC filter that doesn’t fit or isn’t designed to keep up with your day-to-day needs, there are several things that can happen. First, the AC filter can simply fail to work. If you select the wrong size, air will bypass the filter when passing from the ductwork to your home.
Next, the filter can become easily clogged. For example, if you select a low-grade filter in a large home with pets, the filter can become overwhelmed in a matter of days. This means that your AC system will have to work harder to force air through. In turn, your energy bills each month will be higher.
Finally, if you select the wrong filter for your system, your air quality will suffer. An AC filter’s main job is to keep out contaminants and pollutants, leaving you with clean air. If you have the wrong filter, these contaminants can come through, polluting your indoor air.
Get Help Selecting Air Conditioning Filters
If you are in the market for a new air conditioning filter, trust Rowland Air. Rowland air conditioning specialists are here to help you make an informed decision that will fit your AC system and the needs of your household.