When it comes to air filters, there are a variety of options available. Low-cost fiberglass filters should be changed every 30 days, while the more expensive pleated filters can last up to 6 months. A good rule of thumb is to replace pleated filters every 90 days. If you have electrostatic or washable filters, you should wash them, dry them and reinstall them once a month.
Washable filters are more environmentally friendly and, if properly cleaned and reused, can last up to 10 years. Many people have had these washable filters for more than ten years. The only reason you'll need to replace it is if you find a better one or if you decide to do it. Of course, there is normal wear and tear on anything.
Most washable filters come with a lifetime warranty against defects. Electronic air filters do not require the replacement of the filter medium, but rather require cleaning the cells inside the unit. Clean every 3 months to keep these units running smoothly. Instead of being dragged through the filter and physically trapped and blocked by the filter material, particles are attracted to the filter medium due to physics.
As incoming air flows through air filters, small particles of dust and other airborne contaminants are removed. Represented by a numerical value ranging from 1 (lowest efficiency rating) to 20 (highest efficiency rating), it is used to evaluate the ability of a filter to remove dust from the air as it passes through the filter. Unlike washable filters, pleated filters don't have to be charged to have an electrostatic element. The lack of mechanical filtering can also cause other problems, such as particles simply falling off the filter and returning to the air each time you remove it.
In any case, you should use the filter classification that best suits your HVAC system requirements (and health problems) and that, at the same time, provides the maximum air cleaning benefit. According to the general public's knowledge of air filters, the electrostatic air filter has become synonymous with a washable air filter, but in reality that's not entirely correct. If you're not familiar with that term, it basically means that the air flow through the filter is initially lower than that of other types of filters. Air filters are a critical piece of equipment used to protect your HVAC system, keep it running smoothly, and help maintain a clean air flow in your home. You might assume that the air filter that comes standard with your HVAC system is sufficient to combat this, but that's not the case.
Air filter efficiency is the measure of how well the filter removes particles from the air before they enter the air controller, which is known as the MERV rating. This action helps filter contaminants and clean the air before it is recirculated back to your home. When used effectively and properly maintained, an electronic air purifier can trap and filter up to 99% of the particles in the air that pass through the air conditioning system, ensuring that cleaner air is distributed to every room in your house. To sum up, low-cost fiberglass filters should be changed every 30 days while pleated filters should be replaced every 90 days. Washable electrostatic oven filters come with a lifetime warranty against defects and can last up to 10 years if properly cleaned and reused. Electronic air filters require cleaning every 3 months for optimal performance.
Air filter efficiency is measured by its MERV rating which ranges from 1 (lowest efficiency rating) to 20 (highest efficiency rating).
