The air filter is a key component of your HVAC system. It keeps airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Figuring out what type of air filter is right for you will help improve your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally inclined homeowners could favor an electrostatic air filter. Regular filters can’t be recycled and are normally replaced every couple of months. Instead, an electrostatic filter can be washed off and used again.
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 catch airborne particles. While this design is efficient, 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 sucked into the filter and trapped. But because of the absence of fibers, electrostatic filters can be rinsed.
Washable air filters are ideal for people who hope 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 replaced 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 a great way to recognize how effective an air filter is at trapping 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 typically more than sufficient for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.
People with breathing complications 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 commonly found in specialized air filtration systems. Additional filtration may also be beneficial for the elderly and people with respiratory ailments.
Are Electrostatic Air Filters Better Than Disposable? A Comparison.
As you can see, there are advantages 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 compare the key advantages of an electrostatic filter:
Reusable and easy to clean: Unlike pleated media filters, washable air filters are recyclable and reusable. All you have to do is thoroughly rinse them off. Give enough time for them to dry completely and they can be inserted back in your HVAC system.
Long-lasting with regular upkeep: To work at their peak effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be washed each month. This is a quick process that offers long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly resilient and can last the lifetime of your HVAC system when properly cared for.
Offers excellent layer of protection: While HEPA filters or dedicated air filtration systems can offer strong results, that doesn’t mean other filters are inadequate. For your average home, an electrostatic filter is a great option for removing airborne particles.
Improve Indoor Air Quality with Routine Maintenance and Cleaning
Keeping up with routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is a good way to improve indoor air quality in Alliance. It all depends on the specific conditions of your home as well as your family’s specific needs. Local, experienced technicians may be able to help. They can suggest the ideal products you need to improve indoor air quality.