The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. It keeps airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Figuring out what type of air filter is right for you will help enhance your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally minded homeowners could prefer an electrostatic air filter. Typical filters can’t be recycled and are normally replaced every couple of 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 employ an extremely dense network of small fibers to catch airborne particles. While this design is effective, sooner or later the filter is clogged with contaminants. Instead, an electrostatic filter uses the magnetic force of static electricity. Animal dander, mold spores and other contaminants are sucked into the filter and trapped. But because of the absence of fibers, electrostatic filters can be rinsed.
Washable air filters are recommended for people who like to cut down on waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your ordinary furnace air filter should be exchanged every few months. When furnaces can live 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 a great way to determine how efficient an air filter is at collecting contaminants. The higher the filter’s MERV rating, the more effectively it works. Ratings are as high as 20, but these are reserved for specialized 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 acute allergies may benefit from a more powerful residential filter like HEPA filters. A HEPA filter can eliminate up to 97% of airborne particles, keeping indoor air quality very high. These filters are regularly found in dedicated air filtration systems. Additional filtration may also be helpful 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 analyzing your indoor air quality needs and making the ideal choice. Let’s go over the principal benefits 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. Wait enough time for them to dry completely and they can be inserted back in your HVAC system.
Long-lasting with steady upkeep: To work at their maximum effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be cleaned every month. This is a quick process that provides long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly durable and can last 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 insufficient. For your standard 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 Lafayette. It all depends on the distinct conditions of your home as well as your family’s specific needs. Local, experienced technicians may be able to help. They can suggest the ideal products you need to improve indoor air quality.
