The air filter is a major component of your HVAC system. It stops airborne particles like dust and pollen from circulating through your home. Finding out what kind of air filter is right for you will help improve your sense of comfort at home. For example, environmentally minded homeowners may favor an electrostatic air filter. Regular filters can’t be recycled and are usually replaced every few months. Instead, an electrostatic filter can be rinsed off and used again.
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 trap airborne particles. While this design is efficient, 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 washed.
Washable air filters are suitable for people who like to minimize waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your ordinary 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 a good way to tell 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 enough for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.
People with breathing complications or severe allergies may 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 can also be helpful for the elderly and people with respiratory ailments.
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 evaluating your indoor air quality needs and making the most suitable choice. Let’s compare the main benefits of an electrostatic filter:
Reusable and simple to clean: Unlike pleated media filters, washable air filters are recyclable and reusable. All you need to do is thoroughly rinse them off. Leave 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 washed each month. This is a quick process that provides long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly resilient and can survive the lifetime of your HVAC system when well cared for.
Offers quality layer of protection: While HEPA filters or dedicated air filtration systems might offer solid results, that doesn’t mean other filters are substandard. For your typical home, an electrostatic filter is a great option for getting rid of 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 Port St. Lucie. It all depends on the specific 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.