Guide to Shopping for an Air Conditioner Filter

The air conditioner filter is a vital part of your home’s air condition. Without a proper filter and filter maintenance, your air conditioner or central air unit will fail to operate to its maximum capacity or can become damaged. There are several things you should do to keep your air conditioner working in top condition, but the filter is the most essential part to keep an eye on. There are are few places where your filter could actually be located, such as in the wall, ceiling or (sometimes) furnace. You will find that there are five types of filters that you will see commonly on the market.

The cheapest filters will only last you for around a month. In most cases, this type of filter will remove 10% of the particles and pollutants from the air. These types are not recommended as they leave many particles free in your air.

HEPA air conditioner filters are some of the most popular kinds. HEPA is an acronym for high efficiency particulate air and to be considered a HEPA filter, the filter must be shown to remove 99.97% of particles from the air that is being filtered. HEPA filters. For this reason are great for use in homes of those who have allergies.

An air filter that is pleated will catch up to 40 percent of particles because of their design structure, which is much like a paper fan. Pleated air conditioner filters last up to four months and range in price from $5 to $20, depending on the size of the filter and the company that makes it.

An electrostatic air filter is relatively new on the market, though they work in a very different way of catching airborne particles than other filters. Some models have an electric charge “built in” to the filter while others push air through the system to create its own electric charge and hold dust and other airborne particles in. Although expensive, you usually only need to change these filters once a year.

Electrostatic filters and whole electrostatic purification systems work in essentially the same way, so they are great for those with allergies.

Make sure you check your air conditioner filter at once a month, no matter which type you use. Also make sure to have your air conditioner filter and its internal coils checked out before the beginning of the summer months by an experienced heating and cooling technician.

Being negligent with your air conditioner is something that is done far too often. Ensure that your air is save to clean with the right air conditioner filter.

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