The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. It keeps airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Finding out what type of air filter is right for you will help improve your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally inclined homeowners may prefer an electrostatic air filter. Typical filters can’t be recycled and are normally replaced every couple of months. Instead, an electrostatic filter can be washed off and reused.
What Is an Electrostatic Air Filter?
An electrostatic air filter is distinct from media filters, which are nonreusable. Media filters are pleated and use an extremely thick network of small fibers to trap airborne particles. While this design is successful, eventually the filter is clogged with contaminants. Instead, an electrostatic filter uses the attractive force of static electricity. Animal dander, mold spores and other contaminants are drawn into the filter and trapped. But because of the lack of fibers, electrostatic filters can be rinsed.
Washable air filters are recommended for people who like to cut down on waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your common furnace air filter should be exchanged every few months. When furnaces can last for up to 20 years, that’s a lot of filters to throw away.
Do Electrostatic Air Filters Have a MERV Rating?
The MERV rating system is an easy way to determine how effective an air filter is at collecting contaminants. The higher the filter’s MERV rating, the more effectively it works. Ratings are as high as 20, but these are reserved for specialized filters for medical and industrial use. Instead, a good standard for residential air filters is between a 3 and a 6 MERV rating. These are generally more than sufficient for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.
People with breathing problems or acute allergies may benefit from a stronger residential filter like HEPA filters. A HEPA filter can eliminate up to 97% of airborne particles, keeping indoor air quality very high. These filters are regularly found in specialized air filtration systems. Added filtration may also be helpful for the elderly and people with respiratory conditions.
Are Electrostatic Air Filters Better Than Disposable? A Comparison.
As you can see, there are benefits to using electrostatic air filters in your home. It just depends on examining your indoor air quality needs and making the ideal choice. Let’s go over the principal advantages of an electrostatic filter:
Reusable and simple to clean: Compared to pleated media filters, washable air filters are recyclable and reusable. All you need to do is properly rinse them off. Leave enough time for them to dry completely and they can be placed back in your HVAC system.
Long-lasting with regular upkeep: To work at their peak effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be cleaned every month. This is a quick process that offers long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly resilient and can survive the lifetime of your HVAC system when well cared for.
Offers quality layer of protection: While HEPA filters or dedicated air filtration systems can offer solid results, that doesn’t mean other filters are inferior. For your standard home, an electrostatic filter is a superb solution for getting rid of airborne particles.
Improve Indoor Air Quality with Routine Maintenance and Cleaning
Keeping up with routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is a good way to optimize indoor air quality in Hodgenville. It all depends on the distinct conditions of your home as well as your family’s specific needs. Local, experienced technicians can help. They can recommend the ideal products you need to boost indoor air quality.