The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. It prevents airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Figuring out what type of air filter is right for you will help enhance your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally inclined homeowners might opt for an electrostatic air filter. Regular filters can’t be recycled and are normally replaced every few months. Instead, an electrostatic filter can be rinsed off and reused.
What Is an Electrostatic Air Filter?
An electrostatic air filter is different from media filters, which are nonreusable. Media filters are pleated and use an extremely dense network of small fibers to catch airborne particles. While this design is effective, sooner or later the filter is clogged with contaminants. Instead, an electrostatic filter uses the attractive force of static electricity. Animal dander, mold spores and other contaminants are sucked into the filter and trapped. But because of the absence of fibers, electrostatic filters can be cleaned.
Washable air filters are recommended for people who like to minimize waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your common furnace air filter should be replaced every few months. When furnaces can last for up to 20 years, that’s a lot of filters to throw away.
Do Electrostatic Air Filters Have a MERV Rating?
The MERV rating system is an easy way to tell how effective an air filter is at eliminating contaminants. The higher the filter’s MERV rating, the more effectively it works. Ratings are as high as 20, but these are reserved for advanced filters for medical and industrial use. Instead, a good standard for residential air filters is between a 3 and a 6 MERV rating. These are usually more than sufficient for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.
People with breathing problems or acute allergies might benefit from a stronger residential filter like HEPA filters. A HEPA filter can remove up to 97% of airborne particles, keeping indoor air quality very high. These filters are often found in dedicated air filtration systems. Added filtration can also be worthwhile for the elderly and people with respiratory ailments.
Are Electrostatic Air Filters Better Than Disposable? A Comparison.
As you can see, there are perks to using electrostatic air filters in your home. It just depends on examining your indoor air quality needs and making the most suitable choice. Let’s review the principal features of an electrostatic filter:
Reusable and easy to clean: Unlike pleated media filters, washable air filters are recyclable and reusable. All you have to do is thoroughly rinse them off. Wait enough time for them to dry completely and they can be inserted back in your HVAC system.
Long-lasting with regular upkeep: To work at their maximum effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be cleaned each month. This is a short process that provides long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly resilient and can last the lifetime of your HVAC system when well cared for.
Offers excellent layer of protection: While HEPA filters or dedicated air filtration systems can offer solid results, that doesn’t mean other filters are inferior. For your average home, an electrostatic filter is a superb solution for removing airborne particles.
Improve Indoor Air Quality with Routine Maintenance and Cleaning
Keeping up with routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is a good way to improve indoor air quality in Tucson. It all depends on the unique conditions of your home as well as your family’s specific needs. Local, experienced technicians can help. They can recommend the perfect products you need to improve indoor air quality.