Air conditioning filters are often overlooked parts of your cooling system. However, they’re vital to ensuring the air you breathe, and type is as clean as possible. These filters keep out dust, pollen, pet dander, and lint particles that cling to the air inside your home. When combined with an air purifier for allergies or asthma, supplementing the AC unit’s position in your room or house, these filters can significantly impact how well you breathe when in heated environments.

In this article, you will learn about the different types of air conditioning filters for your home and the benefits of each to homeowners.

  1. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters
  2. This type of filter is perfect for those with asthma or allergies as they’re best suited for keeping out particles that are normally too small to be seen by the naked eye. You’ll also want to use these filters in your home or office if you have pets that like to shed hair, dander, and fur regularly.

  3. Electrostatic Filters
  4. Electrostatic filters are also exceptionally good at reducing the airborne particles allowed through to the air being cooled. They create a static charge in the air and attract particles via their electrical charge. These filters need replacement much more often than other AC filters, though.

  5. Pleated Filters
  6. This type of AC filter has pleats that can be folded onto one another. Pleated filters can effectively filter dust and airborne particles, especially relatively small ones. Although there is a caveat, these filters also can be replaced sparingly. The pleats must be closed appropriately usually if you want them not to clog up and obstruct airflow.

  7. Spun Glass Filters
  8. This type of filter is made by spinning together fiberglass strands to trap dust and lint efficiently. They protect the air conditioning system and furnaces from debris in new construction and make the air as clean as possible. Although they do not improve air quality, they can greatly improve the system’s efficiency.

  9. Activated Carbon Filters
  10. Often called “Carbon” filters, they combine charcoal with ferrous salts at high temperatures. They’re effective at preventing condensation in your home’s HVAC system and are inexpensive to replace and maintain if a Carbon filter gets clogged. However, they can drastically reduce the amount of air that gets cooled by your air conditioner.

  11. Media Filters
  12. These filters have a large surface area where particles can be trapped, thus increasing efficiency in reducing static pressure while optimizing air filtration. Media filters are great for filtering small airborne particles that other filters might miss. They are particularly effective at removing pollen and dust found in the air in households and businesses alike.

  13. UV Light Filters
  14. These filters use Ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy bacteria and viruses that can be present in the air. This is done by exposing them to UV light, effectively killing these microorganisms without any chemicals or additives. These are particularly effective at destroying germs and making the air much cleaner, especially if your home or office has a higher occupant density.

  15. Washable Filters
  16. These filters are made by combining fibers of sand with steel and glass to form a filter that traps particles. These filters are environmentally friendly since they can be cleaned and reused repeatedly. They’re perfect for allergy sufferers, pet owners, and anyone wanting to control their homes’ air quality.

    There are several factors that you’ll need to consider when choosing what type of AC filter should be replaced. Before making a final decision, you’ll want to ensure you know your air conditioning system and how it’s configured inside.

    Professional HVAC technicians know how to optimize your air conditioning system and will work with you to find the type of AC filter that fits your needs. Vortex Air Solutions is committed to providing the area’s best HVAC maintenance and repair service. They offer exceptional customer support and fast response time, and most importantly, we are certified HVAC technicians with a proven track record of success.

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