What Do Air Filters Do

What is the Purpose of an Air Filter?

What do air filters do, and how does an air filter work? The thought seems pretty elementary, just purifying the air can be a somewhat complex job considering there are sixty+ sources of indoor air pollution. Not to mention the hundreds of products that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.

An air filter clearly serves a purpose, simply does every home need one? The guide below will provide data about what air filters are and why they are used to ameliorate explain why every abode with an HVAC organization tin benefit from having them.

What is an Air Filter?

Let'southward start with the nuts by defining what an air filter is. An air filter is essentially a screen that fits into a compartment of the HVAC arrangement to make clean the air as it circulates through a abode.

Air filters are an aftermarket product with a longevity that typically spans i-6 months for dispensable filters. Washable air filters can last upwardly to five years.

The Purpose of an Air Filter

Then, what are air filters for? What does an air filter practise in your house once it'due south installed? The principal air filter purpose is cleaning the air inside then information technology's healthier to exhale. Y'all may not realize that many homes accept air quality that is worse than exterior, and your abode could exist ane of them. If you don't have proper ventilation and air filters for purification contaminants can build up inside.

Air filters are too a part of the overall HVAC system. They serve as a offset line of defense that protect HVAC components from contaminants.

What air filters are fabricated of tin influence whether they accept a specialized purpose. For example, air filters with carbon are particularly skillful at removing odors from the air.

How Do Air Filters Work?

Understanding how air filters work can help you decide which filter is best for a specific purpose. All air filters work in a similar way:

Air passes through the filter screen.
As the air passes through, the filter media (textile) catches particulate matter such as pollen, grit, pet dander, dirt and allergens. Some types of air filters tin even remove leaner and viruses from the air.
Every 2nd as air passes through the filter media contaminants build upwardly. Eventually, the filter gets as well clogged and airflow is reduced.
Eventually, the filter gets too clogged and airflow is reduced.
The air filter is so replaced, and the process continues.

Where air filters differ most is the media that is used. Filter media quality and quantity influences the size of air particles that tin can be captured, how they are captured and airflow through the organisation.

MERV Ratings - Better Purification, Restricted Airflow

People put a lot of accent on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The MERV rating is important across indicating how well the filter purifies the air. It can also affect airflow, which has a negative touch on the HVAC equipment, energy efficiency and your comfort.

MERV ratings range from 1 (to the lowest degree efficient) to 20 (most efficient). Air filters with a MERV rating of 14 or higher capture more particulates but they also restrict the airflow more and get clogged faster.

Read More: All Nearly MERV Ratings

Are Air Filters Necessary?

If a primary air filter function is to clean the air, is information technology necessary to use one in a dwelling with good air quality? Do air filters make a difference if the air is good for you? Practise allergen furnace filters work well enough to eliminate the use of an air purifier?

The short answer is yes, considering air filters don't merely clean the air effectively. They as well protect your HVAC equipment.

Air Filters Keep Debris Out of the HVAC Equipment

Air filters keep debris and air particles out of sensitive components. Ii places where dust and clay could accrue are the duct arrangement and air handler. The debris will build upwards over time creating a variety of issues, along with polluting the air inside.

Air Filters Improve Efficiency and Reduce Equipment Wearable

Do you like wasting energy and paying more than you demand to estrus and cool your home? If the answer is no, then you'll want to supervene upon your air filters regularly.

With less clay and debris in the system, HVAC equipment runs more than efficiently. The opposite is truthful if you have no air filter or the air filter is and then muddy it'south restricting airflow. When that happens parts similar the fan motor will have to work harder, which ways more electricity is consumed. The fan motor is also more than likely to need repair.

Even if you're lucky plenty to take great air quality inside without an air filter, your HVAC equipment however needs that layer of protection to work efficiently.

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