The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. It stops airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Figuring out what sort of air filter is right for you will help enhance your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally inclined homeowners could favor an electrostatic air filter. Regular filters can’t be recycled and are usually replaced every few months. Instead, an electrostatic filter can be rinsed off and used again.
What Is an Electrostatic Air Filter?
An electrostatic air filter is distinct from media filters, which are nonreusable. Media filters are pleated and use an extremely thick network of small fibers to catch airborne particles. While this design is successful, eventually the filter is clogged with contaminants. Instead, an electrostatic filter uses the attractive force of static electricity. Animal dander, mold spores and other contaminants are sucked into the filter and trapped. But because of the lack of fibers, electrostatic filters can be washed.
Washable air filters are ideal for people who like to minimize waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your standard 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 standard for residential air filters is between a 3 and a 6 MERV rating. These are generally more than sufficient for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.
People with breathing complications or acute allergies may benefit from a stronger residential filter like HEPA filters. A HEPA filter can remove up to 97% of airborne particles, keeping indoor air quality very high. These filters are commonly found in specialized air filtration systems. Added filtration could 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 reviewing your indoor air quality needs and making the ideal choice. Let’s review the key benefits of an electrostatic filter:
Reusable and easy to clean: Compared to pleated media filters, washable air filters are recyclable and reusable. All you need to do is thoroughly rinse them off. Leave enough time for them to dry completely and they can be added back in your HVAC system.
Long-lasting with consistent upkeep: To work at their maximum effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be washed each month. This is a brief process that offers long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly durable and can last the lifetime of your HVAC system when well cared for.
Offers excellent layer of protection: While HEPA filters or dedicated air filtration systems might offer solid results, that doesn’t mean other filters are inferior. For your standard home, an electrostatic filter is a superb choice for removing airborne particles.
Improve Indoor Air Quality with Routine Maintenance and Cleaning
Keeping up with routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is a good way to optimize indoor air quality in McHenry. It all depends on the specific conditions of your home as well as your family’s specific needs. Local, experienced technicians may be able to help. They can suggest the perfect products you need to improve indoor air quality.