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Okay, so you’re trying to avoid some heating and air conditioning service needs by making sure you’re using the right air filters in your system. But maybe you’re not really sure what filters you should be using. If that’s the case then you’re going to want to take a little closer look here. We’re going to walk through what you need to know to get just the right fit and the right style for your home in Cypress, TX.
Filter Size
First, you can check the owner’s manual to make sure you’re using the right size filter. It’s going to be listed in that manual so that you can choose the right size when you head to the store. But not everyone actually keeps the owner’s manual, right? In that case you can also look at whatever filter you happen to have in the unit at the time. This should tell you the size that your purchased and that (hopefully) is the right size for your machine. Keeping this changed out routinely is going to cut down on your need for heating and Air conditioning service.
MERV Ratings
Once you know the size of the filter that you need you’re going to want to check out the different types of air filters that are available. Not all of them are created equally and when you think about the purpose of that filter you’re going to want something that can actually work, right? You’re trying to keep your air a whole lot cleaner and that’s definitely not going to happen if the air filter that you’re using isn’t actually pulling dust and particles out of the air that’s floating around. You end up with even more heating and air conditioning service and sick besides.
The MERV rating is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which means it’s going to let you know whether this filter is actually good at getting that gunk out of the air or if you should be looking elsewhere. You’re going to want to take a closer look at what the filter is rated at before you decide on something in particular and when you’re looking you’ll find standard ratings from 1 to 16. What you need to know is that 1 is the lowest possible rating, which means it’s not doing much of anything. 16 is the best possible rating, meaning you don’t get any better than this from your heating and Air conditioning service.
Now, you don’t necessarily need or want the heaviest duty air filter that you can find. First, your heating and Air conditioning service may not be able to actually handle it and if that’s the case you’re going to end up spending more on energy (or just replacing the filter) than if you bought a slightly lower level filter in the first place. You should check your owner’s manual to find out the different sizes of filters that are approved by the manufacturer.
Filter Styles
Finally, you’re going to want to take a closer look at some of the different styles of filters that are available. What you’re going to find are the standard disposable filters that most people use, pleated filters, electrostatic filters and reusable filters along with the higher quality HEPA filters. Each of these has their own benefits and drawbacks that you’ll want to take a closer look at before you decide which one is going to be the best option for your situation and your household to improve your heating and Air conditioning service.
Disposable Filters– These are exactly what you would think when you hear the term. They’re inexpensive and simple filters that you put in and when the time comes to change out your filter you just throw them away. They generally only have ratings up to 4 and they are made with a type of fiberglass or polyester mesh. They’re not great, but they can mostly get the job done and help out your air quality.
Reusable Filters– These are very similar to the disposable filters but they’re designed to be able to be washed out and reused. They’re still made with the same fiberglass and polyester mesh and they have the same MERV ratings, between 1 and 4. You will save a little bit of money using these even though the upfront cost is higher because they don’t need to be replaced for a long time.
Electrostatic Filters– These filters are good because they actually use an electric charge to help pull in particles. This actually makes them more efficient because it means that more particles are being trapped in them. They have ratings that can go up to 15, which means you’re definitely getting more power out of using one of these for your heating and Air conditioning service. But they’re not always going to be possible with your current heating and Air conditioning service.
HEPA Filters– These are some of the best filters that you’re going to find because they’re designed to remove as much pollution and contaminants as possible. They actually offer MERV ratings of between 17 and 20 (which is completely above the norm) and they definitely help out those households who have allergies and more. The downside is that they don’t fit in most systems and they require more power out of your HVAC.
Pleated Filters– These are a simple filter that could be disposable (usually) or reusable. They have MERV ratings of 5 – 13 and they’re able to trap even more particles than a standard filter. The reason is the pleats that provide even more surface area for your heating and Air conditioning service to pull in those contaminants and trap them there. But they’re not able to be used in many different systems.
Overall, your Cypress Heating and Air service in Cypress, TX is an important one. But you’re only going to get the absolute best out of it if you’re using the right filtration systems. Make sure you know what kind of filter you need to protect your Cypress, TX home.