Your HVAC service can help you implement several solutions to reduce dust in your home and achieve a cleaner, healthier environment. Changing your air filter regularly every one to three months is a great way to reduce dust and other particles in the air inside your home. All manufacturers of air conditioning systems consider replacing the air filter to be a critical form of maintenance. HVAC air filters work as the first line of defense against dust, dirt and other particles in the air.
They effectively block the entry of air particles so that the interior of this equipment remains clean. This allows all components to work optimally. However, the overall effectiveness of an HVAC air filter lasts only a few months, depending on the indoor environment. In some homes, air filters will need to be replaced more frequently. Air conditioners reduce dust in the house by circulating air through the air filter inside the air conditioner.
The air filter removes dust from the air every time air passes through it. Dust accumulates in the air filter and regular washing of the air filter is essential to maintain air filter performance. Nobody wants to breathe dirty air. There is no doubt that improving the air quality in your home is very beneficial. The air you breathe can have a significant impact on allergy symptoms, asthma triggers, and your overall level of comfort.
The air carries allergens and pollutants, allowing them to be inhaled or deposited on surfaces where they can spread to other areas. The use of highly efficient pleated air filters is an excellent additional level of defense to help clean the air of allergens and dust. Using a MERV 8 rating as a minimum will help collect large amounts of dirt and debris, not only protecting your HVAC system, but also going further by capturing common allergens, such as pet dander, dust mite debris, pollen and mold spores. Upgrading to a higher level, such as MERV 11 or MERV 13, is recommended for those who want to accumulate a higher percentage of dust and trap smaller allergens. Filters also help prevent dust from accumulating in ducts or entering other rooms in the house.
In recent years, this air-cleaning function has become more important for homeowners, and manufacturers have designed filters that use their heating and air system to remove microscopic particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, plant spores and mold, and even smoke from the air in your home. All the dust you see on the used filter is dust that is removed from the circulation in your home. However, when the filter becomes clogged, the system cannot efficiently clean dust from the air, so much of it remains in the living space. On the following pages, we'll discuss the function, types, classification system and routine maintenance of air filters in your home heating and air conditioning system. Central air conditioners, such as a fan-coil unit and an air handling unit, usually have a better filter than a typical wall air conditioner. The air filter of a typical wall-mounted air conditioner is a piece of plastic with fine mesh, designed to capture up to a certain size of dust.
The particle size of household dust ranges from 0.05 to 100 microns, and even air filters with the lowest MERV ratings, from 1 to 8, can trap particles between 1 and 10 microns in size. Routinely changing or cleaning the filters in your home's heating and air conditioning system helps units work more efficiently and enjoy a longer lifespan. If you install a new filter but don't turn on the heater or air conditioner until a month or two later, the filter should be relatively clean since the system hasn't let any air through it. Even air filters with the lowest MERV ratings from 1 to 4 will do an effective job of preventing basic household dust from circulating. Therefore, the risk of too much dust circulating is never a big concern even with most basic air filters.
These people regularly change their air filters and understand the consequences of not doing so. One caveat about this method is to make sure you check and wash your air conditioner filter much more often. However you should keep in mind that HEPA filters also make it difficult for air to pass through. Because of this, the HVAC air filter does not filter large dust particles since they never enter the ducts through the return vents. .
