The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. It prevents airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Figuring out what type of air filter is right for you will help improve your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally inclined homeowners might opt for an electrostatic air filter. Typical filters can’t be recycled and are generally replaced every few months. Instead, an electrostatic filter can be washed off and used again.
What Is an Electrostatic Air Filter?
An electrostatic air filter is different from media filters, which are nonreusable. Media filters are pleated and use an extremely dense network of small fibers to capture airborne particles. While this design is efficient, sooner or later the filter is clogged with contaminants. Instead, an electrostatic filter uses the attractive force of static electricity. Animal dander, mold spores and other contaminants are sucked into the filter and trapped. But because of the lack of fibers, electrostatic filters can be washed.
Washable air filters are ideal for people who hope to reduce waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your traditional furnace air filter should be exchanged every few months. When furnaces can last for up to 20 years, that’s a lot of filters to throw out.
Do Electrostatic Air Filters Have a MERV Rating?
The MERV rating system is an easy way to determine how effective an air filter is at eliminating contaminants. The higher the filter’s MERV rating, the more effectively it works. Ratings are as high as 20, but these are reserved for advanced filters for medical and industrial use. Instead, a good average for residential air filters is between a 3 and a 6 MERV rating. These are usually more than enough for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.
People with breathing complications or severe allergies might benefit from a more powerful residential filter like HEPA filters. A HEPA filter can remove up to 97% of airborne particles, keeping indoor air quality very high. These filters are regularly found in specialized air filtration systems. Additional filtration could also be beneficial for the elderly and people with respiratory ailments.
Are Electrostatic Air Filters Better Than Disposable? A Comparison.
As you can see, there are perks to using electrostatic air filters in your home. It just depends on evaluating your indoor air quality needs and making the ideal choice. Let’s compare the key features of an electrostatic filter:
Reusable and simple to clean: Compared to pleated media filters, washable air filters are recyclable and reusable. All you have to do is properly rinse them off. Give enough time for them to dry completely and they can be put back in your HVAC system.
Long-lasting with steady upkeep: To work at their peak effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be cleaned each month. This is a short process that offers long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly resilient and can survive the lifetime of your HVAC system when properly cared for.
Offers excellent layer of protection: While HEPA filters or dedicated air filtration systems can offer solid results, that doesn’t mean other filters are inferior. For your average home, an electrostatic filter is a great choice for removing airborne particles.
Improve Indoor Air Quality with Routine Maintenance and Cleaning
Keeping up with routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is a great way to maximize indoor air quality in Wharton. It all depends on the specific conditions of your home as well as your family’s specific needs. Local, experienced technicians may be able to help. They can suggest the perfect products you need to improve indoor air quality.