At its core, an air filter is a screen that is placed in a compartment of the air conditioning system to clean the air circulating around the house. It removes impurities such as dust, pet dander, bacteria, and other particles from the air that flows through the system. Not only does this improve the quality of the air inside your home, but it also protects your air conditioning system from damage. When it comes to air purification, there are several types of air filters available.
Portable air purifiers and HVAC filters can reduce indoor air pollution; however, they cannot remove all air pollutants. Air filters with a MERV rating of 14 or higher capture more particulate matter, but they also restrict airflow more and clog up faster. Electronic air purifiers (including the last two types of air filters on this list) may produce ozone gas and other pollutants that may be hazardous to health. Extended material filters are a stack of oven filters about 8 inches thick.
Before investing in an air purifier or filter for your home, it is important to understand what type of contaminants you have in your home so that you can choose the right type of filter for your needs. Whole-house air purification systems exist, but they are connected to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a home or facility. Many air purifiers contain several filters, one for particulate matter, one for gases, and even more so for gases, chemicals, or odors. Even if you're lucky enough to have excellent indoor air quality without an air filter, your HVAC equipment still needs that layer of protection to work efficiently.
The most effective ways to improve indoor air are to reduce or eliminate sources of pollutants and to ventilate with clean outdoor air. But if this isn't possible in a home, a HEPA air filter can reduce smoke particles and be a better intervention than anything. In conclusion, air filters are essential components of any home's heating and cooling system as they help keep the indoor environment clean by removing impurities from the circulating air. They come in various types such as portable purifiers, HVAC filters, extended material filters, electronic purifiers, etc., each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Before investing in an air purifier or filter for your home, it is important to understand what type of contaminants you have in your home so that you can choose the right type of filter for your needs.
