Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘HEPA filter’

Reminder: Change Your Air Filters

Monday, August 14th, 2017

Life keeps us busy. Keep your family breathing fresh by changing your filters. In Southwest Florida, all sorts of allergens are in our air daily since we live on a peninsula. Below you will find good tips on when and how to change your air filter for your unit.

 

Here’s a few tips and a timeline for you on keeping your filters fresh .

  • Single occupant homes without pets or allergies: Change 6-12 months
  • Typical home without pets: Change every 90 days
  • Add a dog/cat: Change every 60 days
  • Multiple pets or have allergies: Change every 30-45 days

 

Tips on Changing your Air Filter

  • Turn off the unit before replacing the filter.
  • Make sure you use the right filter for your unit and make sure it’s not damaged out of the package.
  • Follow the directions for your unit to make sure you’re installing the filter properly.  For example, many filters use different colors for the front and back (or upstream and downstream flow) so that they’re not installed backwards.
  • Make sure there aren’t any gaps around the filter frame.  If this is the case, you may have the wrong size filter, or the filter itself may be defective or damaged.
  • Use an old rag to clean up any residual dust before and after you replace the filter.
  • Securely replace any levers, gaskets and/or seals.
  • Turn the unit on and observe it while it’s operating to make sure the filter stays in place.
  • Note the date of filter replacement in a convenient location for the next time you inspect it.  A filter that becomes dirty enough to change within a short period of time may indicate a problem with the unit or ventilation system, so monitoring how often the filter requires changing is important information for your technician to have.

 

Conditioned Air is now serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch and all of Southwest Florida. If you need a new filter go to our website, place an order and it will be shipped to your door here

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Choosing Air Filters For Your Home: Understanding Your Choices

Tuesday, July 25th, 2017

In many HVAC systems, the air filter is primarily designed to protect the system from dust accumulation and particles that could cause system damage, but higher-quality filters can also help to improve indoor air quality by removing, dust, pollen, pet dander and other undesirable particles. Air filters are classified by their MERV ratings, with a higher number representing better filtration.

  • Fiberglass filters: These filters are mostly intended to protect the HVAC system, and they typically have a MERV rating of 1 to 4, meaning that they only remove about 10 percent of pollutants. Most fiberglass filters are disposable, though some can be washed and reused.
  • Pleated filters: Pleated air filters have multiple folds to increase the surface area compared to fiberglass filters, and with MERV ratings of about 5 to 13, they can remove up to 45 percent of airborne particles.
  • High-efficiency media: These denser, thicker pleated fitters have MERV ratings of about 14 to 16 and can remove up to 85 percent of contaminants.
  • Electrostatic filters: These filters use an electric charge to attract particles, increasing filtering efficiency without slowing the airflow like dense high-efficiency filters.
  • HEPA filters: High-efficiency particulate air filters can remove up to 98 percent of airborne particles, but they are often too large and restrictive for use in standard HVAC systems. They are typically added with a whole-home air cleaning system.

As the MERV rating of a filter increases, the amount that it restricts airflow also increases. This can make the HVAC system work harder, increasing your energy costs. For most homes, an air filter with a MERV rating of between 8 and 10 provides a good balance between filtering efficiency and airflow. For improved air filtering, you may consider adding a whole-home air cleaner with either an electrostatic filter or a HEPA filter.

To learn more about the different types of air filters, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We can help you find the best filtering solution for your needs and your budget. Since 1962, we have been providing Southwest Florida residents with superior air conditioning and air quality services.

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