Air Filter | AC Repair Katy
While the primary purpose of an air filter is to protect the heating and air conditioning system, agood air filter can help to improve your home’s air quality. Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating is based on a scale of 1 to 16. The higher thenumber is, the greater the density and efficiency of the filter. However, ahigher efficiency filter may be detrimental to your heating and air conditioning system. The system should use the MERVfilter the manufacturer recommends, otherwise use of high density filters mayresult in damage and the need for ACrepair in Katy.
According to the EPA, indoor airpollution is a significant environmental health risk in the home. The move toreduce energy consumption and carbon emissions resulted in today’s practice of airtightconstruction. While these construction upgrades do conserve energy, they alsoprevent fresh air from entering homes and pollutants from leaving. The means ofreducing air pollution in your home consist of allowing fresh air into thehome, installing a whole-house air cleaner, and the use of an air filtercapable of removing pollutants.
Types of Air Filters
There are numerous types of air filters,Some of the most common include:
Fiberglass Air Filters
Usually with a MERV rating of 1 to 4,fiberglass air filters are disposable, and are inexpensive. The filters areonly effective for capturing larger airborne particles and are not for cleaningthe air. Filters with this rating are generally safe for most HVAC systems. However, they should bechanged each month, or more frequently when dusty conditions exist.
Pleated Filter
Disposable pleated filters have a ratingof 5 to 8. The pleats increase the surface area and make the furnace filters a moreefficient choice for capturing airborne particles. A pleated air filter with a lowerefficiency rating can filter small to large particles. Filters with a rating of7 to 8 provide a higher level of effectiveness. Pleated filters are efficientfor maintaining a cleaner system, and do a decent job in filtering particulatesfrom the air. However, you should check with your systems manufacturer, or yourHVAC technician, ensuring the ability to use this MERV factor in your home’s systemsafely, without causing damage and the needfor AC repair in Katy. Pleatedfilters are also available in higher efficiency ratings of 9-13, with 11 to 13providing a solution for those with health issues and allergies.
Electronic Filters
Electronic filters have a MERV rating of13 to 16. This group of air filters is approved for those suffering medicalconditions. Use caution with higher efficiency filtration in heating and air conditioning systems.Ensure you talk to your technician before use to prevent system damagerequiring AC Repair in Katy.
HEPA Filter
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtershave an efficiency rating of 17 to 20, and can capture 99.97 percent of allparticles. Few residential HVAC systemscan utilize HEPA filters, becausethey restrict airflow. Furthermore, airflow restriction can cause damage to thesystem, require heating AC repair inKaty. For homeowner’s with units engineered to use HEPA filters, switchingwill significantly improve indoor air quality.
High Efficiency Filters
While a higher MERV rating can provide greater filterefficiency, a high MERV filter may result in higher operating costs, and may damagethe HVAC system. High efficiency filters can reduce theairflow through the system, potentially resulting in overheating, and result indamage to the unit.
Ideally, the airfilter allows the required airflow while providing the cleanest airpossible without causing damage to the system. Your Cypress HVAC technician can advise you of themaximum MERV rating tolerated by your heatingand air conditioning system without the damage that may result in AC Repair in Katy.
The majority of HVAC systems will tolerate a MERV6-8 filter. However, before changing to a higher MERV filter, talk to yourCypress Heating & Air Conditioning HVACtechnician to confirm your unit can safely use a high efficiency filter. When you have a family member withallergies or respiratory conditions, and need high efficiency filtration, considera whole-house air filtration systemas a solution. Our experienced technicians will be glad to assist you inselecting a filter, a whole-house air filtration system, or for your other HVACneeds.
Contact Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning’s NATE certified technicians forquestions regarding an air filter,and to schedule heating and airconditioning service. Our technicians offer the expertise you need for yourHVAC needs. Our services includeprofessional installation, maintenance, and expert heating and AC repair in Katy. We serve Katy,Plano and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.
