Air conditioner filters are an essential part of any HVAC system, as they help to keep the air in your home clean and free of contaminants. As air passes through the filter, the material, usually cloth or pleated paper, traps any pollutants found in the air. This helps to improve the air quality inside your home, while also protecting your HVAC system from damage. The filter medium used in air conditioners can trap particles such as pollen, dust, pet dander, dirt, allergens, bacteria and viruses.
In addition, some filters can even remove smoke from the air. The MERV rating of the filter is generally indicated by a number between 1 and 16, although there are some filters with a rating higher than 16. The Clean Air Supply Rate (CADR) is another rating method recognized by the Federal Trade Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency that measures the efficiency of air purifiers. Having central air conditioning and heating is undoubtedly an advantage for many homeowners, but like all major home appliances, your HVAC system must be well maintained to ensure maximum efficiency. Properly maintaining air filters, whether replacing them or washing them regularly, is crucial not only to providing clean air in your home, but also for your HVAC system to work properly.
When air enters the HVAC system, it is first heated or cooled and then pushed through the ducts that lead it to every room in the house. As air passes through the filter, the material removes particles and other contaminants from the air. In its most basic function, an air filter removes impurities such as dust, pet dander or even bacteria from the air that flows through the system. In addition to traditional filters, you can also buy smart filters such as 3M Filtrete smart air filters which use sensors to monitor airflow.
These filters do not allow hazardous pollutants and allergens to enter the indoor environment and can last longer than flat filters because they can contain a greater amount of dust and particles before they need to be replaced. 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, mold and mildew. When an air conditioner reverses air flow, there is a high probability that some contaminants will return to the air and cause it to be even dirtier than before. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your HVAC system is equipped with a high-quality filter that can effectively capture these particles before they are circulated back into your home.
