Keep Allergies at Bay With These HVAC Filters
With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, this is prime time allergy season. Pollen is everywhere, and the sneezing seems to be endless. This is when properly functioning air conditioning filters are an absolute must for homeowners. Air conditioning filters function by removing airborne contaminants like dust, spores, and, most importantly, pollen!
There are several different AC filters, each with unique ways to achieve the same outcome. Understanding the various options will allow homeowners to choose which is right for them.
Fiberglass
- Short lifespan – one must change these every month, which can be a huge hassle for homeowners to remember.
- Efficiency considerations – if homeowners do not adequately replace fiberglass filters every month, they can get bad clogs, requiring AC systems to work much harder to cool the air.
- Limited particle removal – the structure is such that it can only trap large particles, though some better versions can trap small particles.
The particle removal limitation is perhaps the most important to consider. This dramatically limits the ability of fiberglass filters to curtail allergy symptoms, so homeowners should be sure to find higher-quality fiberglass filters that can do this.
Washable / Reusable
These types of filters, unlike fiberglass filters, can be used multiple times. While the cost of washable filters is significantly higher ($60+ for a single one), this more than pays itself off because they can last 5-10 years. Similar to fiberglass filters, washable filters generally remove larger particles, so homeowners need to take this into account depending on the severity of their allergies.
Homeowners need to check these filters at the ~30-day mark, but unlike fiberglass filters requiring replacement, washable filters require washing. Homeowners should clean the filters under running water and allow them to dry thoroughly before returning them to the HVAC system.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)
HEPA filters are one of the best filters for removing allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pollen. These are mechanical air filters that trap pollutants by forcing air through a fine mesh. While these tend to be expensive (a few hundred dollars at times), they can last for several months and potentially years, depending on AC use. Plus, the extent to which they can impact air quality has a great deal of value in itself.
These filters are often placed in air purifiers, so homeowners will benefit most by placing units in rooms where there are concentrated amounts of allergens and where they plan to spend the majority of their time in the house. One can also use these filters in vacuums, which can significantly help to control allergy symptoms.
About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.
Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. of Daytona Beach, FL, believes in “delivering safe, healthy, efficient comfort.” Their team of skilled, friendly, and professional technicians prioritizes quality work, honest advice, and complete customer education for any job. Give them a call for HVAC service today!
