Today, making the air you breathe as clean as possible is more important than ever. The air filter in your heating and cooling system is essential to maintaining good indoor air qauality. However, standard air filters don’t do a great job of cleaning the air because their main function is to protect the mechanical components of your HVAC system from wear and tear.
In this blog post, discover the pros and cons of installing HEPA air filters as well as how they work from an air conditioner repair expert.
Pros
Experts use the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) system to rate the efficiency of air filters. This rating ranges from 1 to 16. A filter with a high MERV rating is more likely to contribute to good indoor air quality. HEPA filters are over MERV 16, meaning they remove 99.97 percent of particles up to the size of 0.3 microns.
Hospitals usually use HEPA filters because they remove both inorganic dust and microorganisms such as mold spores, pollen, dust mites, bacteria and viruses. Standard filters use flat fiberglass media, while HEPA filters are made from pleated media to increase their surface area for filtration, which can also increase their lifespan. When it comes to HVAC air quality, these filters are something you should consider.
Cons
The problem with efficient air filters is that they can limit your system’s airflow. Keep in mind that HEPA filtration isn’t ideal for all residential systems. A skilled HVAC technician can determine if your system is suitable for this type of filter.
Moreover, some HEPA filtration options feature whole-house air filters connected to the ductwork through a bypass loop. These units take the air out of the ducts and covey it through the HEPA filter array, then return it into the ducts without affecting airflow.
For quality air conditioner replacement, repair and maintenance services, choose Cooper Brothers, Inc. Call us at (408) 649-2008 or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.
