Summertime! and the AC is running . . . . Have you changed your AC filter lately?
Our experts recommend changing the filter in your air conditioning system about once a month during the cooling season. If you haven’t done it before, ask your HVAC guy to show you how.
What kind of filter do you need? Your air conditioning contractor can make some suggestions. But in the meantime, here’s a little crib sheet.
Check AC Filter MERV Ratings
Look for the filter’s MERV rating.
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and basically it’s a gauge of how effectively the filter works. MERV ratings range from 1 to 12.
Higher MERV ratings mean better filtering power, but they also make the system work harder– something to keep in mind if you’re trying to avoid sky-high electric bills.
In some cases, indoor air is two or three times more polluted than outside air. You could be breathing in chemicals from cleaning; dust created by people and animals; and even dead skin cells– not to mention viruses that make their seasonal rounds.
Choose From Variety of AC Filter Types
There are four types of filters:
- HEPA
- Electrostatic
- Pleated
- Fiberglass
The gold standard for AC filters is HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). These filters are not cheap, but they remove most pollutants, including cat dander, mold, and pollen.
HEPA is a good choice for people who are sensitive to air quality– allergy-prone types, for instance, or folks with asthma.
After HEPA comes the electrostatic filter. This type of filter is expensive, but it will last for years. You just need to clean it once a month during season, less often in the off-season.
Electrostatic filters use static electricity to attract particles from the air– just as your clothes and hair attract lint in a dry home.
Pleated or Flat Filter?
The most common filter in AC systems is a pleated type, which basically has folds to increase the filtration area. If you have no problem with air quality, you can get by with an ordinary pleated filter.
Pleated filters are available in different depths. For the residential AC system, a depth of one or two inches is sufficient. These filters need to be replaced every few months, or once monthly during the cooling season.
Watch out for filters with wire mesh on one side; the non-wire mesh type are constructed of stronger material.
Fiberglass (flat) are the least expensive and the least effective filter. They will screen out large particles such as household dust, lint and pollen– but not mold or bacteria.
Whichever filter you decide fits your needs, make sure you know the correct size. (Hint: What’s in there now?) And write the date on the filter so you can remember when you last changed it. ')}