Air Conditioning Systems

Air Filtration and Indoor Air Quality

A Good Reason To Use Highly Efficient Filters

If you are an allergy sufferer or have other health concerns, efficient filters are a better choice for you. Filters with high MERV ratings or high efficiency ratings will remove more household allergens from the air and allergic reactions may be reduced.

Some Things To Consider for Your Air Filter

If you use a very efficient air filter it will probably need to be changed monthly. This is because efficient filters collect a lot more dust than inefficient filters. For example a MERV 12 pleated filter, HEPA filters and electrostatic filters should be changed or cleaned monthly.

Economy panel filters that you can get at many hardware stores are very inefficient and will not have to be changed very often. These are very poor quality and I don't recommend them.

If you live in a location that is very dusty you will need to change your filter more often than if you live in a low dust area.

Air filters generally need to be changed more often in summer months than in winter months when the ground is covered with snow.

Equipment that does not operate continuously will not require as many filter changes as equipment that is always operating. Between heating and cooling seasons are typically low usage times.

HINT: Standard throw-away filters are typically very inefficient. Hold your current filter over the kitchen sink, and pour table salt on it. If the salt passes through the filter, you should really move to a more efficient filter media.

Types of Air Filters

Electrostatic Furnace Filters

Electrostatic furnace filters are becoming very popular with home owners who want to achieve better air quality in their homes. These air filters are designed to replace any type of panel filter or frame type air filter you currently use in your heating and air conditioning equipment. To keep your electronic or electrostatic air filters performing at maximum efficiency requires frequent and regular cleaning. Filter maintenance (changing or cleaning) also helps to keep your heating and cooling equipment operating at maximum efficiency which reduces operating costs.

Media Air Filters

When it comes to efficiency and cost these are probably among the most available to home owners. The big advantage of these filters over electrostatic air filters is they do not have to be rinsed clean every few months, just change the filter pad and reinstall the frame with a new pad.

Pleated Air Filters

Pleated Air Filters are among the most commonly used filters in residential and commercial applications. These filters are satisfactory for the average home that only requires moderate air filtration. HVAC pleated air filters are not the best choice for individuals who suffer from allergies and require very clean air. Although one inch is the most common thickness, two, four and even six inch thick filters are available. HVAC pleated air filters that are thicker than one inch can remain in use for longer periods of time before it is necessary to replace them. A pleated air filter, four or six inches thick can potentially remain in use for six months or more (depending on air quality conditions).

The material used to form the pleats is made of different materials. Some manufacturers use material that requires a wire mesh backing which helps to keep the filter material rigid and some manufacturers use material that is rigid enough to keep its shape without extra support.

A disposable or reusable filter that is left in an air conditioning or heating system for extended periods of time without proper maintenance can reduce airflow to the point of causing costly equipment breakdowns.

HEPA Air Filters

HEPA air filters are commonly used in environments where very clean air is a must, such as clean rooms, hospital wards, surgical rooms and other places where maximum dust removal is very important. HEPA filters are also used in many other applications such as very efficient HEPA vacuum cleaners and HEPA air cleaners.

Activated Carbon Air Filters

Installing a carbon air filter in your furnace or air conditioning system is very effective at removing pet, smoke, garbage and mold odors. This reduces the need for unnatural solutions to odor problems and there is no need for chemicals or sprays which can cause allergic reactions.

Some of these filters such as throw away fiberglass filters are not very efficient and will only trap the largest of dust particles, while others such as the electrostatic filter and HEPA air filter will remove over 97 percent of household allergens from the air that passes through them.

It is important to keep in mind that when shopping for a new air filter, discount filters (fiberglass panels) are not a real bargain. You save on the cost of the filter but pay more for maintenance and operating costs in the end. It is best to shop for efficiency and quality.

Duct Mounted UV Air Cleaners - Strong Defense for Airborne Viruses, Mold and Bacteria

Unlike other types of air cleaners, duct-mounted UV air cleaners are designed to purify the air using special ultraviolet light. Installed directly onto the duct system of a central air conditioning or heating system, tiny mercury vapor lamps produce UV waves. As a result, various air pollutants including airborne viruses, mold, bacteria, yeast, and fungus are killed.

As you look at the available types of duct mounted UV air cleaners on the market, you will be amazed at all the possibilities. While most of these air cleaners work on the same concept, each is somewhat, unique. Air pollution in our homes is harmful to everyone, especially people with asthma and other forms of respiratory health issues. However, with a duct mounted UV air cleaner, you can live in a clean and sterile environment, one that smells clean and is clean.

Mold, which is a microscopic organism, can be found on virtually every surface of the home. These live organisms are a type of fungus that actually serve an important role in some cases such as the development of penicillin. However, mold lingering in the home where it is breathed in is dangerous. In fact, many buildings, both businesses and homes where mold problems are out of control lead to what has become known as “Sick Building Syndrome” in which people will develop breathing problems, headaches, rashes, and more.

If you require very clean air in your home, don't overlook the addition of a duct mounted UV air cleaner. Mold, bacteria, yeast, fungus, and so on require moisture, food, and air to grow, meaning it can live anywhere. These pollutants can live in carpeting, wood products, books, wallpaper, paint, drapes, and upholstery. By using duct mounted UV air cleaners, these harmful pollutants can be controlled in every room of your home.

Initially, UV air cleaners were used in hospitals, schools, clean rooms, laboratories, food-processing plants, and places where a sterile environment was important. Today, duct mounted UV air cleaners can be installed by a qualified contractor, or you can easily install your own. With this type of cleaner, you have an effective system capable of reducing or eliminating all types of DNA-based airborne pollutants.

Could Using HEPA Air Filters In Your Air Conditioning Equipment Possibly Be The Solution You Are Looking For

Before getting into details about HEPA air filters, it is important to first answer a commonly asked question regarding the word HEPA. What does HEPA stand for? HEPA is an acronym which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance.

Some Details About How HEPA Filters Work

A HEPA air filter is very similar in design to regular pleated air conditioner filters except for some very important differences. HEPA air filter material is different than that used in regular pleated air filters, and there are more pleats per inch of filter than in pleated filters. The material must be much denser to stop smaller particles.

To qualify as a HEPA filter, the filter has to capture a minimum of 99.97% of all particles .3 microns in diameter. That is about 300 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair and smaller than we can see.

A HEPA air filter has the potential to provide relief for allergy and asthma sufferers because they trap mold, pet dander, pollen, bacteria and many other airborne particles. Use of these filters requires that you be very diligent with the maintenance that is required to maintain them. This is important, to prevent problems that can arise from reduced air flow through an air conditioning system when they become dirty.

HEPA air filters are among the most efficient air conditioner filters available. At over 99% efficient, a HEPA air filter will remove almost all allergens from the air that passes thorough your HVAC equipment. HEPA air filters remove dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores and other household allergens.

Understanding MERV Ratings

MERV ratings are used to rate the ability of an air conditioning filter to remove dust from the air as it passes through the filter. MERV is a standard used to measure the overall efficiency of a filter. Higher MERV ratings mean fewer dust particles and other airborne contaminants pass through the filter.

MERV ratings are determined by adding particles of varying sizes (1-12) into a controlled testing environment. The particles are added upstream of the test filter and a laser particle counter samples the air before it enters the filter and after it leaves the filter. The two particle counts are compared to calculate the Particle Size Efficiency of the tested filter. Once this is determined, a MERV Parameters chart is used to determine the MERV rating.

MERV ratings range from 1 - 16 and measurements are in microns. Some of the common particles related to MERV ratings are pet dander, insecticide dust, smog, dust, viruses, wood, tobacco smoke, spores, bacteria and pollen.

Some of the most common filters found in residential use only have a MERV rating of 1 to 4. These are typically disposable panel type filters and do not do a good job of filtering the air because they will not stop particles smaller than 10 microns.

MERV 5 to 8 rated filters are a better choice and are more commonly found in commercial applications. These filters will collect particles as small as 3 microns and are a good choice for home owners also.

Filters with a MERV rating of 9 to 12 are used in commercial and industrial applications and will stop particles in the 1 to 3 micron range. These filters are a great choice for home owners who want the best dust control possible. When using filters with Merv 9 ratings and above it is important to clean or replace them when recommended by the manufacturer because they will have a negative effect on air flow when they become dirty. This can lead to performance problems and decreased operating efficiency.

The most efficient filters have MERV ratings of 13 to 16 and will stop particles as small as .3 microns. These filters are used in hospitals and other super clean environments.

We hope you find valuable information in the table below.

MERV Filter Efficiency Guide

Arrestance	Rate	MERV Rating	Types of Filters	Tested Contaminant
60-80%	>20%	1-4	Disposable Panel Filters, Permanent Metal Filters, Fiberglass & Foam Media, Hogshair, Automatic Rolls	Pollen, Spanish Moss, Dust Mites, Sanding & Spray Paint Dust, Textile & Carpet Fibers
80-90%	>20%	5	Pleated Panel Filters, Ring Panel Filters, Synthetic Media	Pudding Mix, Snuff, Powdered Milk
90-95%	20-30%	6	Cube Filters, Self-Supported Filters	Dusting Aids, Cement Dust
90-95%	25-30%	6-7	Pleated Panel Filters	Hair Spray, Fabric Protector
95-98%	40-50%	8	Pleated Panel Pleated Panel Filters, Ring Panel Filters, Extended Surface Pocket Filters	Mold Spores
98%	50-60%	9-10	Extended Surface Pocket Filters	Welding Fumes, Nebulizer Drops, Coal Dust, Auto Emissions
99%	60-70%	10-11	Pleated Panel Filters, Extended Surface Pocket Filters, Rigid Cell Filters	Lead Dust, Milled Flour
99%	80-90%	12-14	Extended Surface Pocket Filters	Legionella, Humidifier Dust, Smoke, Copier Toner, Rigid Cell Filters, Face Powder, Paint Pigments, Insecticide Dust
99%	90-95%	14-15	Extended Surface Pocket Filters, Rigid Cell Filters	Sneeze, Cooking Oil
NA	95%	16	Rigid Cell Filters	Bacteria, Tobacco Smoke

Note: Electrostatic filters are not listed in the table because they do not have MERV ratings. Arrestance and resistance are terms more commonly used to rate electrostatic filters.

To discuss your next Residential AC System, give Mark Hurm & Company a call 352-378-9422 or contact us via the web