Selecting A Filter

Filtration is very important to a heating and cooling system. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that the indoor air in her home is 5 times more polluted than the outside air and we spend most of our time inside of our homes. The heating and cooling systems ductwork pulls all of the air out of your home through the cold air return and back through the furnace and distributes the air through your home by installing a proper filtration system as that air is passing through your cold air return the air will be filtered before it is distributed back to your home.


Standard Filter

Needs to be changed every 30 days.

In most cases this is the filter that you have already this filter gives you the least amount of filtration. This filter is only 1” in thickness.

Advantages:

  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to replace

Disadvantages:

  • Does do much filtration
  • Must be changed every 30 days

Good Filter

Needs to be changed every 30 to 90 days.

Very easily you can replace your one-inch standard throw a way filter with a one-inch pleated media type filter, the pleats in the media 1-inch filter have more surface area and they will capture more contaminants. If you shop for these filters, you will see the price varies greatly. We recommend buying the middle to the lower-priced filters the reason being the more expensive the stronger the filtration rate, and your duct work most likely is not sized for this type of filter and it will cut down on the air flow and increase your utility bills. If you install the filter and you start to hear whistling, you know you are choking the air flow and the filter is too thick for your system.

Advantages:

  • Increased filtration rate over standard filter
  • Easy to replace

Disadvantages:

  • More costly than standard filter
  • Must be changed about every 60 days
  • Possible reduced airflow causing higher utility bills

Better Filter

The 4” Media Filter.

Replace every 6 to 12 months.

This filter has a filter box installed on the side of the furnace that the cold air return is attached to, this filter has more surface area which will result in a higher capture rate to better filter your home.

Advantages:

  • Excellent air filtration rate
  • Only needs to be changed every 6 to 12 months
  • Easy to replace

Disadvantages:

  • Initial installation cost

Electronic Air Cleaner

Never change the filter

The electronic air cleaner is completely different from the other filters. You never have to change any filters, the electronic filter has a 97% efficient capture rate, it will also remove some odors from the home. It is required that you have to wash the pre-filter and the main filter cartridges approximately every month, this is to ensure that the electronic grids are clean and can capture more contaminants. This filter will not restrict the airflow of your heating and cooling system.

Advantages:

  • Does not restrict air flow
  • 97% capture filtration rate
  • Do not have to change filters

Disadvantages:

  • Cost of initial installation is higher
  • Requires regular cleaning
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