Air Filters – Are They Really Important?

Are they really important?

In short, yes! Air filters are central, but often under-appreciated. The HVAC unit and the filter work in tandem in order to provide the space with clean and comfortable air and assists with increasing the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Filters keep the coils and equipment free from dirt, dust, pollen and debris as obstructions to the air flow increases the workload of the system, causing stress on motors and heat exchangers. Also, filters provide a first line defense against larger objects such as bits of loose insulation from being pulled into the system and potentially causing equipment damage. While this doesn’t always lead to a system failure, the increased stress on these components can lead to premature failure.

Effects of a dirty air filter include:

• The blower in the HVAC system has to work harder to push air. This causes extra stress on the motor as it is working harder drawing more energy leading to higher bills.
• Difficulty with air flow. This could lead to poor comfort in the work spaces.
• Overheating or freezing up of the unit.
• Potential for mold or bacteria colonies. This can occur when the air filter has too much debris.

Not only are regular filter changes important for your units it is important the proper MERV rated filters are being used. MERV states for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Valves, this reports the ability to capture large particles between .03 and 10 microns. The higher the MERV rating the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles. Filters include but are not limited to:

• Pleated air filters- with a MERV rating ranging from 7-13. The increased surface area picks up more debris and pollutants than the standard fiberglass filter.
• HEPA filters-High Efficiency Particulate Air (filters) is a type of pleated mechanical air filter that is to remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of .3 microns with a MERV rating of 17-20

To learn more about the benefits of changing your air filters as well as learning about what filters would be a best fit for you, contact us at Pleune Service Company!