The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. It stops airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Figuring out what kind of air filter is right for you will help enhance your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally inclined homeowners might favor an electrostatic air filter. Regular filters can’t be recycled and are normally replaced every couple of months. Instead, an electrostatic filter can be rinsed off and used again.
What Is an Electrostatic Air Filter?
An electrostatic air filter is distinct from media filters, which are nonreusable. Media filters are pleated and employ an extremely dense network of small fibers to capture airborne particles. While this design is successful, ultimately the filter is clogged with contaminants. Instead, an electrostatic filter uses the magnetic force of static electricity. Animal dander, mold spores and other contaminants are drawn into the filter and trapped. But because of the absence of fibers, electrostatic filters can be cleaned.
Washable air filters are suitable for people who like to reduce waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your common furnace air filter should be exchanged 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 a good way to recognize how effective an air filter is at collecting 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 adequate for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.
People with breathing problems or serious allergies might benefit from a more powerful 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 commonly found in specialized air filtration systems. Added filtration could also be beneficial for the elderly and people with respiratory conditions.
Are Electrostatic Air Filters Better Than Disposable? A Comparison.
As you can see, there are advantages to using electrostatic air filters in your home. It just depends on reviewing your indoor air quality needs and making the most suitable choice. Let’s review the principal advantages of an electrostatic filter:
Reusable and simple to clean: Compared to 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 put back in your HVAC system.
Long-lasting with consistent upkeep: To work at their peak effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be washed every month. This is a brief process that provides long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly durable 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 inadequate. For your standard home, an electrostatic filter is a great solution for eliminating airborne particles.
Improve Indoor Air Quality with Routine Maintenance and Cleaning
Keeping up with routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is a great way to maximize indoor air quality in Odessa. 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 ideal products you need to boost indoor air quality.