Most people are blissfully unaware of what it means to have an effective furnace filter or what a furnace filter even does. Here is a small handful of tips which should not only explain what furnace filters are and how they work, but also how to best maintain your furnace filter for improved air quality and safety.
- The dust in your home is more than dust. It is composed of pollen, mold spores, plant spores, lint, bacteria, pet dander, skin cells and many other contaminants. Dusting, vacuuming, smoking or cooking indoors, can actually increase particulate concentrations. Can you imagine how much dust is currently flying about around you, without you even knowing it? This is what makes having an effective furnace filter so important.
- Dust particles are measured in microns, and range drastically in size from microscopic, to relatively large. The tiniest dust particles make up more than 99% of the debris floating around in the air inside your home. You can be inhaling a large amount of these particles on a daily basis, as they often bypass your respiratory system’s defense mechanisms with little trouble. Learn more about how to keep your furnace filter clean at http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/furnace-air-filters.shtml.
- Breathing these particles can create a number of health effects, including coughing, asthma attacks, wheezing, cancer, decreased lung function, heart attacks and even premature death. This is all in addition to a wide variety of different allergic reactions.
- The best way to limit the source of these dust particles it to eliminate them, and one great way to accomplish that involves installing high efficiency furnace filters and air conditioning filters. High efficiency filters, like HEPA filters for example, are excellent for capturing a large amount of these particles, keeping them from contaminating the air that you are breathing on a constant basis.
- Proper filtration is the best way to remove dust, dirt and mold particles from the air. There are a number of different types of furnace filters that you can use to accomplish this. Many furnace filters are disposable but there are also variations that are reusable or refillable in nature. Furnace filters also come in a variety of different materials, including natural fibers, manmade fibers, metal and fiberglass. Get more information about furnace filters at http://energyboomer.typepad.com/energyboomer/2007/07/a-clean-filter-.html.
- The purpose of a furnace filter is to protect air-handling equipment, meaning that it is important that they are maintained or replaced exactly how the manufacturer recommends. If you do not maintain or replace them as recommended by the manufacturer then they can become dangerous by restricting airflow and causing fires, carbon monoxide leaks, or worse. Maintenance truly is key when it comes to getting the most out of your furnace filter. When filters become loaded with particles, there is less air flow capacity which cuts down on the efficiency of the filter and causes the rest of the machinery to work extra hard to operate.
- Make sure to keep the manufacturer’s instructions handy so you always know how to maintain and repair your furnace filter and other important furnace equipment. These instructions will also show you where the furnace filter is located and will indicate how often you should have your furnace inspected by a licensed contractor.
- Look for the highest available efficiency filter that will work with your furnace. The best way to do this is to choose a furnace filter with a high MERV rating. The MERV rating will be listed on the packaging. A MERV rating of 11 or higher is recommended for the healthiest air quality in your home.
- If you have a family member with asthma or other respiratory problems, you may want to replace or maintain your furnace filter even more often to keep the air clean. There is no harm in over-maintaining or replacing more often than necessary.
Environmentally Friendly Air Filters.
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2 HONEYWELL AIR FILTERS 20X25X5 20X25X4 16X25X5 16X25X4 $49.50 |
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2 HONEYWELL AIR FILTERS 20X25X5 20X25X4 16X25X5 16X25X4 $49.50 |
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Merv 8 Pleated Air Filter 10×10x1 delivered! (Qty 12) $69.38 |
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14X18X1 MERV 8 Pleated Air Filters 4 Pack $18.99 |
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Merv 8 Pleated Air Filter 10×16x1 delivered! (Qty 12) $70.68 |
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18×20x1-MERV 12 A/C Furnace Air Filters by Nordic Pure (Box of 6) – (8.48 ea.) Free Shipping $50.72 Nordic Pure offers manufacture direct pricing. We manufacture Merv 12 high efficiency pleated furnace filters for your heating and air condition systems. We can make most odd sized custom HVAC filters for low cost and fast, Free delivery. MERV 12 effeciency instead of MERV 7, 10 or 11. Our non-woven synthetic filter media will not support the growth of mold or bacteria, keeping your home healthier… |
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Trion Air Bear Merv 8 Relpacement Furnace Filter (2 Pack) – 20 x 25 x 5 $37.99 Clear The Air’s Trion “Air Bear” Merv 8 replacement filters effectively remove 85% of airborne particles. Our Merv 8 filter eliminates allergens such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. Our advanced pleat technology provides less air flow resistance, with higher efficiency. Our Merv 8 standard capacity pleated filters are offered in ASHRAE 52.1 and 52.2 (MERV) ratings and are built to wi… |
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14×24x1-MERV 12 A/C Furnace Air Filters by Nordic Pure (Box of 6) – (8.15 ea.) Free Shipping $48.92 Nordic Pure offers manufacture direct pricing. We manufacture Merv 12 high efficiency pleated furnace filters for your heating and air condition systems. We can make most odd sized custom HVAC filters for low cost and fast, Free delivery. MERV 12 effeciency instead of MERV 7, 10 or 11. Our non-woven synthetic filter media will not support the growth of mold or bacteria, keeping your home healthier… |
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EcoAire MERV 8 Pleated Home Air Filter (3-Pack) These MERV 8 pleated filters utilize electrostatically charged, 100 percent synthetic Kimberly Clark media which offers significantly higher particulate efficiency than regular poly-cotton media pleated filters, with little change in static pressure. These filters capture airborne particles/allergens between three to ten microns in size such as particles that carry viruses and bacteria, pollen, m… |
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EcoAire MERV 8 Pleated Home Air Filter (12-Pack) These MERV 8 pleated filters utilize electrostatically charged, 100 percent synthetic Kimberly Clark media which offers significantly higher particulate efficiency than regular poly-cotton media pleated filters, with little change in static pressure. These filters capture airborne particles/allergens between three to ten microns in size such as particles that carry viruses and bacteria, pollen, m… |
