HVAC Filter Knowledge Base

Keeping your HVAC unit running as it should helps maintain the ideal temperature for your living space. It’s ideal to keep home air filters changed, and to avoid the potential problems that may crop up. Knowing what could happen may be all the motivation you need to stay on top of changing your filters. Inefficient System The first thing you may notice with a clogged air filter that hasn’t been changed is that rooms take longer to cool or heat up. That’s because the dusty filter doesn’t allow good air flow through the ducts. That forces the unit to work harder, run longer, cost you more money and reduce the lifespan of the unit. This will ultimately cause your electric...

Written by: Your Filter Connection   For most people, air quality seems unimportant. For men and women with allergies, including dust and pollen, pollutants can wreak havoc. Thanks to a quality residential air filter, pollutants that cause itchy eyes, sneezing and a running nose can come to a halt. So if you’re concerned about your home’s air quality, here are some common Qs and As.   What Do Filters Remove? Filters cannot stop every type of pollutant from entering your home. They can, however, stop most, including mold spores, pet dander, skin cells and even dust mites. Each of these pollutants can ruin your home’s air quality and irritate your allergies, and different types of air conditioner filters can stop...

You might already know that HVAC filters work to remove the dust and debris from the atmosphere of your home to help improve the overall air quality. What you might not know, however, is that the type of material that your filter is made out of also affects how effectively the filter removes pollutants from the air. Each furnace filter is rated on a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) scale and, if the number is closer to 20, then the more effective it is. Though, different filter materials usually have different MERV ratings as well, as some are better are improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) than others. In this article, we take a look at the three main materials that...

Written by: Your Filter Connection If you want your home to keep its value, don’t forget these overlooked trouble spots. As we head into the winter months, many home owners are reviewing their maintenance costs for the year and assessing their investments. Most of the big jobs are probably taken care of, but have you truly maintained your home this year? Have you found every nook and cranny that can leech value from your property, like your air filter or draft spots on the windows and doors? Read on for some of the places people commonly overlook when searching for what to fix in their home. Furnaces The furnace is sometimes connected to your HVAC unit, but most of us...

A clean air filter is integral to a properly functioning HVAC system, but knowing how to get the right one isn't always easy. Not all filters or systems are created equal, so you can’t buy any filter, but you can check part numbers on the filter itself for the proper sizes. Once you have the size you need, consider what you want out of a filter. Air filters can affect the quality of air in your home, including allergens and particulates, and they can even help remove certain odors like cigarette smoke. A 3M air filter, for instance, can help fend off dust and smog coming in from outside. Next, consider the function that the air filter's supposed to serve....

Allergens typically invade your senses when you step outside, but they can seep indoors as well. Identifying them can be a difficult proposition, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Allergens inside the home can affect everything from sleep patterns to breathing patterns. It’s important to identify the top triggers that may occur inside your home, and to utilize a Filtrete air filter that can neutralize the problem. Smoke and Odors Smoke of any kind can cause breathing problems for those sensitive to it. Bacon, for instance, produces a carcinogen similar to cigarettes. Fireplace fixtures that burn wood also leave behind smoke in the home, so it’s best to switch to smokeless logs or gas if you can...

Written by: Your Filter Connection Properly ventilating your home brings a number of health benefits to you and your family. It can also cut down on your energy bills, if you understand how cross-breezes work. Proper ventilation was basically medieval air conditioning. If you take the right precautions, such as installing replacement furnace filters, you can increase the quality of the air in your home without letting too much of the bad stuff inside. Ventilation System The first step in this process is to check the ventilation system that is connected to your central air conditioning unit. The ducts should be clear of debris, and the vents on the walls should be open to allow air to flow into the...

The quality of air in the home and workplace has long-term effects on your health. The EPA even has some regulations and ideas on improving the air quality in your home. Many industries rely on having excellent air quality, so it’s crucial to have powerful air filtration that can clean and sanitize the air around you. Healthcare Electrostatic air filters are crucial to hospitals. Temperatures need to be regulated in the hospital, and it’s very important to stop the flow of germs and bacteria that would otherwise circulate naturally. Some patients have compromised immune systems, others have conditions that are directly affected by temperature. It’s the duty of the hospital to keep these areas free from cross-contamination. Everyday Life A...

Written by: Your Filter Connection As air quality decreases, air filtration will become increasingly more important. A replacement Honeywell air filter is a less-than-$20 purchase that has a huge benefit to your lungs. Air quality is decreasing, so air filtration will become more important in the coming decades. Use Filtration Air filters are some of the most important parts of an air conditioner, and one of the biggest contributors to the lifespan of that unit. A good air filter not only blocks harmful particulates, it increases the air quality in your home. Using filtration, especially when you have pets, is also part of setting up a healthy bedroom that is allergen free. When you run your air conditioner at night,...

Written by: Your Filter Connection Your air filter is one of the most important, and easy to replace, components in your HVAC system. Filtrete makes air filters for the home, but not everyone really understands what these filters do and why they are important. These filters help to increase the air quality in your home, and are part of a healthy and efficient HVAC system. Filters can block both particulates and gasses, so they are especially important for those with allergens or breathing problems. Air Particulates A residential air filter uses special materials that cause particulates to cling to the fabric. The most common form is electrostatic attraction, where the particles are charged through air ionization. Ionizers also do something...