Is There A Difference Between Air Conditioning Filters And Furnace Filters

Filters are imperative to an HVAC system. They costless up the air from dust, mites, allergens, and bacteria commonly found in the household surrounding before circulating the air back into the temper.

After installing a heating and cooling arrangement at your identify, you need to bargain with the furnace and air filters. Bank check https://cloverco.com/residential/heating-and-cooling if you are looking for practiced technicians to install and repair your air and furnace filters in Northern Virginia and Washington DC.

Is there whatever difference between the two filters?

Let usa understand the importance of each filter and notice out if they take the same or different functions in an HVAC organization.

Your furnace and air conditioner use the same filter performing the same functions. Therefore, yous may not demand to buy dissever filters for each system. Yet, some houses may accept dissimilar heating and cooling systems with shared ductwork.

The installation signal of the filter largely depends on how the system is configured. A traditional HVAC organisation commonly has an air filter betwixt the HVAC unit of measurement and the return air duct. However, this may change depending on where your device is installed.

For example, if your HVAC unit is in an cranium, your filter tin can exist installed in the air outlet instead of the render air duct. Enquire your HVAC technician how your arrangement is set upwardly and so y'all tin can understand where the filter is installed.

If you have a oestrus pump at habitation, fifty-fifty then, your air and furnace filters volition be the same because a heat pump model uses the aforementioned compressor and air handler.

Although a furnace can run without a filter, it will damage the machine. Without an air filter, a lot of dust and debris volition enter the main components of your heating system and damage coils, blower motors, and more. The furnace will not operate efficiently, leading to a surge in your heating bill. Therefore, you lot must use an air filter for your furnace.

Irrespective of the HVAC system or heat pump at your abode, it is crucial to clean and supersede your furnace/air filter to continuously circulate fresh and make clean air in the business firm.

How to change your HVAC filter?

Ideally, y'all should check your furnace and air filters every month. If you have a high-efficiency furnace filter, bank check and supercede the filter after every three months. During the months of heavy use, it is best to inspect your filters regularly and supplant them every month. If you are not sure most how to change a furnace filter, hither are some tips.

Turn off the furnace or HVAC system.
Remove the filter by sliding it out of the slot.
Replace the filter by sliding a new, make clean filter into the slot. If yous accept a reusable air filter, clean it, let information technology dry, and slide it back in.

Once finished, turn the system dorsum on.

Disposable air filters cannot be cleaned and should be discarded after employ. However, reusable air filters can and should exist cleaned regularly. Use a microfiber fabric to kickoff removing accumulated dust and dirt. You can as well use a damp cloth to clean the filter. Make sure the filter is completely dry earlier installation to avoid mildew.

What types of HVAC filters are available?

There are air filters with unlike specifications, technology, and functionality. Withal, they all perform the job of cleaning the air before circulating information technology into the environment.

Fiberglass air filters

These are disposable air filters with the everyman straining capacity. Hence, the most affordable. They protect your HVAC organization just fail to screen dust and allergens from the air. Using this filter can brand you prone to respiratory issues.

Pleated filters

These filters are fabricated of polyester or cotton fabrics and have pleats to screen dust particles. More pleats mean higher protection.

Washable air filters

These filters are a little more expensive than the disposable ones, just they are reusable. You can clean and use them multiple times. Hence, save money in the long run. Make sure to wash the filters regularly and dry out them before fixing them back to avoid whatsoever mold growth.

Electrostatic air filters

These filters utilize electrostatic magnets to attract dirt and airborne particles and cease them from circulating in the surrounding. Some of these filters are washable, and some are not. E'er consult an HVAC skilful before choosing the right kind of filter for your heating and cooling organization.

HEPA filters

If you or someone in your family is allergic to dust particles and sensitive to respiratory problems, install aHigh-Efficiency Particulate Air filter(HEPA) . The United states of america Department of Energy recommends these filters because of their screening efficiency of upwardly to 99.97%.

UV Filters

Although not very effective in screening grit and pollutants, these filters utilise ultraviolet rays to gainsay viruses and other microorganisms that can affect your health.

Which filter should you lot buy?

Depending on the efficiency, toll, wellness benefits, and maintenance, you lot can buy any of these filters mentioned above. Nonetheless, before you set up out to buy an HVAC filter, cheque the size of your current filter.

Turn off the system and remove the electric current air filter. Read the size written under the filter. That's the size you need to buy for the new filter.

In terms of efficiency, the filters are numbered from 1 to 16. It is the minimum recorded filter efficiency or MERV . It indicates the filter's power to capture larger particles between 0.three and 10 microns (µm). The lower the number, the fewer particles the filter can capture. Pick at least a MERV 4 filter for efficiency and safety.

Many homeowners choose MERV 7 or MERV viii filters considering they offer excellent value for money in terms of efficiency and toll. Simply if yous are allergic, you lot should install MERV 11 or MERV 12 to filter potential allergens in your home. HEPA filters can remove dust particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).

Your HVAC technician can help yous in picking the best filter every bit per your health status, preference, and upkeep.