Fresh, clean air is important for your health, your mind, and your ability to maintain your home or business. You may already have a high-quality HVAC system but have been wondering if you could do more by installing air filters. Are they just a gimmick, or do they really clean your air?
To learn how air filters improve indoor air quality, let’s discuss how filtration works, what air filters are taking out of your environment, and how you can take steps to make them work more efficiently. The installation and air quality experts in Las Vegas want you to be confident and educated about improving your residential and commercial property.
What Is Air Filtration and What does It Do?
Nearly every kind of air conditioning or heating unit used in your home will have an air filter of some kind. This typically involves using a paper-based insert that captures dust, pollen, and other contaminants in a mesh. You change it regularly to keep your home clean and the equipment efficient.
However, not every air filter is created equal. The kind of filter you use and the system it works with can make a big difference in the indoor AQI (Air Quality Index) values of your home or building. Better air quality means easier breathing, which is crucial for the health of those with respiratory issues.
For central HVAC units, the filtration system is part of the return side, where air goes back into the unit. There are two important numbers you should consider when assessing your air filtration system: the MERV and the CADR.
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a MERV rating to indicate how much particulate matter can pass through a filter. It goes from 1-20, and the higher the number, the smaller the particles a filter can capture. Household HVAC units typically rate between 5 and 8, capturing dust mites, mold, and pet dander. A rating of 9-16 is used to filter air in hospitals and laboratories.
If you and your family members are especially sensitive to airborne contaminants, speak with an HVAC technician at Ambient Edge to upgrade your air filtration system to a higher MERV rating.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
Developed by the Association for Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), CADR ratings indicate how efficiently an air filtration system removes smoke, dust, and pollen from the air, as well as how fast the air is circulated. Slow-moving air means more chances for pollutants to stay in your environment and make you sick. If the air is changed out and cleaned more quickly in your living space, you get better air quality.
The size of your building determines what the CADR rating should be on your system. Consult with an Ambient Edge heating and cooling technician to understand more about which filtration option is best for you.
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Types of Air Filters in HVAC Systems
Whether your need is residential, commercial, hospital, or clean room, there is a filter for you. HVAC systems rely on five different kinds:
- Electrostatic: This filter uses static electricity to trap particles such as dust, pollen, and carpet fibers. They don’t do as well with smaller substances like mold. Their MERV rating is typically around 4.
- Fiberglass: A fiberglass filter is affordable and disposable but carries a low MERV rating. They help your HVAC system more than they do your air quality.
- HEPA: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can remove as much as 99.97% of the dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from your air. If you have allergies or breathing issues, a HEPA is probably the best choice.
- Pleated: Pleated air filters often have a MERV rating between 5 and 16, making them very effective for filtering large pollutants.
- Washable: Washable air filters are a sustainable choice but don’t filter nearly as much from the air. They must be cleaned regularly but will last much longer than other non-HEPA filters.
If you don’t know what kind of filter you have in your home or if you want to upgrade, contact our technicians for a consultation. We can educate you on which is the best air filter for your needs.
Air Filtration doesn’t Equal Air Purification
Air filters trap dust and visible particles, even very small ones. However, that doesn’t mean the same thing as purifying your home’s air. Purifiers use ionization technology to remove odors, gases, and other pollutants that filters cannot catch.
Purification systems can be helpful in areas where there are frequent wildfires or industrial manufacturing facilities putting dangerous contaminants into the surrounding air. They don’t replace your filter but can enhance how well it cleans the air in your home or commercial building.
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Contact Us How do I Know If I Need to Update My Air Filtration System?
Some filtration is better than none at all. However, depending on the size of your building, the surrounding air quality of your city or town, and your individual family’s health, you could be due for an upgrade on your system. If you’ve bought a house and don’t know when the ducts were last cleaned, you could be suffering poor air quality that makes it harder to breathe.
Instead of putting up with bad-quality air, schedule a visit with our heating and cooling team. Our team offers highly trained technicians who are available 24/7 to evaluate your system and identify any issues. We can determine if you need repairs, replacements, or upgrades to your HVAC. You will get a quote before we begin, and if you aren’t pleased with the work, we will return to make it right.
Ambient Edge is committed to the health and happiness of our customers and our community. We always give you our best advice without high-pressure selling tactics. We believe in providing excellent service and back it up with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We also offer payment options to make it easier to get the clean air you want without waiting until you save up.
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Contact Ambient Edge for Better Air Quality Today
When you trust your HVAC systems to the experts at Ambient Edge, we specialize in making your system run properly for you and educating you about how you can keep it working efficiently. Even if you have an air filtration system that lets you change your filters on your own, it’s a great idea to have your home or business evaluated to ensure you are using the best approach for your needs. Contact us to schedule a consultation and get started breathing better today!
