Now more than ever, having an efficient central air conditioning and heating system is vitally important to homeowners. HVAC Systems help to maintain good indoor air quality. They remove impurities like dust, allergens, and pollutants to help prevent them from flowing through the air system. Considering that statistics show the majority of the population spends 90% of their life indoors, no one can afford to compromise on the quality of the air in their homes. The COVID-19 era has perhaps brought to everyone’s attention how important clean air is. It has amplified the importance of clean air and the ability to filter out bad airborne particles. This brings to light the need for quality filters, such as N95 home air filters or their equivalents, to keep away viruses and other impurities.

Despite being effective in maintaining good indoor air quality, HVAC systems come with a set of conditions, rules, and regulations. As such, for maximum efficiency, regular maintenance is imperative. One of the vital yet confusing parts of the HVAC systems is the air filter. The air filter is one of the most essential parts of the system, if not the top most important part.

The function of the air filter is to capture dust, pollen, smoke, bacteria, and debris to keep them out of the airflow. Having an effective HVAC System could ensure top-notch air quality, and a great part of this is choosing the right filter, and changing the filter regularly. That said, what type of filters are available?

Types of Filters for Home HVAC System

Filters come in all materials, shapes and capabilities. First, and the most common of them is the flat-panel fiber filter which is stretched over a framework. This type of filter is generally very affordable and easy to install. However they allow many particles through and are therefore poor in filtering out micro-particles. There are also filters made of dense cotton or plastic fiber known as pleated filters. These tend to be more expensive and effective, though still allow a considerable amount of particles to pass through.

Next are washable filters and electrostatic filters that can be either flat-panel or pleated. They save the cost of replacing filters over time but with washing, lose the electrostatic charge which causes the filter to lose the ability to capture smaller particles. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are considered the most effective filters, trapping up to 99.97% of particles in the air. HEPA filters are extremely dense which limits them to certain kinds of HVAC systems. In addition, the use of these filters are primarily for commercial facilities like hospitals and labs.

New N95 Home Air Filters

On the rise are the new refined N95 equivalent home air filters. N95-Quality HVAC Filters help keep homes safe, having a MERV 16 rating. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers came up with the MERV rating system, also known as Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This system rates a home filters ability of remove particles from the air. To clarify, these ratings range from 1 to 20, however anything over 16 is not typically used in a residential setting.

The new Filti 9500 Home Filter was created to be equivalent to an N95 filter for home use, and has a MERV rating of 16. These N95 equivalent home air filters capture pet dander, dust, pollen, and most of all, airborne bacteria and viruses such as the Coronavirus. This creates a healthier home environment. Purchasing the right filter for your home is crucial. And, helps to ensure that your system is functioning at its best to capture airborne particles.

Top 5 Reasons to Regularly Change Home Air Filters

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends regular maintenance for your air conditioning system to improve performance and increase efficiency. One of the key activities in the maintenance process is replacing HVAC air filters regularly. Here are the top 5 reasons why this is necessary:

1. Guarantees Peak Performance Throughout the Year

As air conditioners and heaters recirculate air throughout a room or building, they collect a lot of debris, dirt, and other impurities. Over time, these particles collect on the air filter and start obstructing airflow. This increases the workload on the cooling systems, which in turn increases mechanical problems and wear and tear. As a result the air conditioner may become overworked causing a break down when it is needed most, such as summertime. To allow free air movement for improved performance, the air filters need to be changed regularly.

2. Improved Indoor Air Quality 24/7

Superior AC filters, such as the Filti 9500 which is an N95 equivalent filter, capture airborne bacteria, viruses, pollutants, dust, pet dander, and others to ensure a high indoor air quality year round. As a result, this keeps the family healthy, and also has a positive impact on psychological well being and physical comfort. This is critical especially for infants, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues. The build-up of the particles on the filter reduces the efficiency which could over time encourage the recirculation of these particles. The filters, therefore, need to be replaced regularly for proper performance.

3. Increased Utility bills

As more mold, dust and other particles build up, they clog the system, reduce the quality of air, and increase the amount of energy required to run the HVAC system. This means higher utility costs, yet reduced home comfort levels. To avoid this, changing the air filter on a regular schedule is necessary. The process of changing a filter is a quick task that should take less-than-10-minutes!

4. Reduced Repair and Replacement Costs

Apart from expending more energy, neglecting to change the air filters can lead to system freeze-ups and overheating. Moreover, old filters start deteriorating and releasing their fibers and trapped debris into the moving parts of the system. This could lead to serious mechanical breakdowns which again costs more. To eliminate the chances of breakdowns and reduce repair and replacement costs, change the filters regularly.

5. Extended HVAC System Lifespan

To help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system regular maintenance is key. This should include the task to change the air filter on a regular basis. Above all, use a filter that keeps out all manner of dust, pollen, airborne microorganisms, and a myriad of other particles. Get n95 equivalent home air filters!

At Filti we are passionate about helping people stay healthy. Our filter products are made to help keep you and your family safe by filtering out the bad particles in the air. Our nanofiber filters have the ability to filter out up to 95% of bad particles in the air. We are on a mission to make quality air filtration products available to consumers as well as frontline workers. For more information on our products, visit our website at Filti.com.