When you turn your air conditioner on this summer in your Rockwall County, Texas, home, you want to make sure that you have a quality air filter. Air filters are marked for their efficiency in capturing pollutants using a numbered MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. The higher the number, the better they are at filtering contaminants. Let’s look at a few common air conditioning filters and what their MERV ratings are.
Spun Fiberglass Filters
One of the most common air conditioning filters you will find are the inexpensive, fiberglass filters that have the lowest minimum rating with a MERV of one to four. These are good if you are looking for minimum protection. They can capture larger particulates but aren’t that effective at trapping small pollutants that may cause allergy symptoms.
Pleated Filters
Disposable or reusable pleated filters made from paper or polyester generally have a MERV rating between five and eight and are more effective at trapping smaller particles. While they may cost a bit more than lower MERV rated filters, they are better at keeping the air clean.
Electrostatic Filters
While not compatible with all HVAC systems, electrostatic filters use static electricity to charge the particles in the air. These charged particles are then attracted to the metal in the air filters and remain there until the filter is disposed of or cleaned. Most of these filters have a MERV rating between 10 and 15.
HEPA Filters
While these are the highest rated filters available (between 12 and 20), High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are so dense that they often restrict airflow. If your HVAC system is not set up for such dense filters, it will have to work very hard to push sufficient air through. Use HEPA filters if you are concerned about trapping tiny particulates such as viruses.
To find out which type of air filter is best suited for your home, give our team of experts at Allstars Electric Heating & Air Conditioning a call today. You can reach us at 972-248-3322.
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