When it comes to indoor air quality, your first line of defence is your furnace filter. There are several options available, and each one is designed to suit specific needs, so we’ve broken down each type to help you choose the best furnace filter for your home.
Standard Filters
Standard filters are the most common, and if you are looking for a furnace filter that is disposable and affordable to protect the furnace, they are the best option. Their fibreglass construction makes them excellent at collecting larger airborne particles, but they are not the most effective option for trapping smaller contaminants that pose a risk to our health. Standard filters aren’t the most efficient option, and they should be changed monthly during peak heating and cooling seasons to avoid the stress reduced airflow puts on your HVAC systems. If you stay on top of the maintenance these filters require, they will get the job done at an affordable price.
Pleated Filters
As their name suggests, these filters are pleated to increase their surface area so that they can trap more dust, mold and airborne allergens without restricting airflow to the furnace fan. Pleated filters are constructed from either cotton or polyester that, as we mentioned, is folded into pleats. These filters are the best option for homeowners who want the convenience of a disposable filter but aren’t willing to sacrifice air quality.
Electrostatic Filters
These filters differ from the previous two because they are washable and designed to be reused indefinitely. Electrostatic filters are made up of electrostatically charged fibres that attract and trap airborne particles, dust, and contaminants. The fact that they are washable and reusable justifies their slightly higher price tag. The downside to them being washable is that they do clog up relatively quickly, which can reduce the airflow to your system. If you aren’t willing to stay on top of the maintenance required for electrostatic filters to be effective, they may not be the best furnace filter option for your home.
HEPA Filters
If you’re looking to have the highest air quality possible in your home, HEPA Filters are the best option because they can eliminate up to 99% of airborne pollutants and contaminants. These air filters are the closest thing you can get to hospital-grade air filtration on a residential level. HEPA filters clean the household air so thoroughly that in most cases, they have a separate motor with a bypass duct to ensure that your heating and cooling systems don’t suffer from a loss of airflow. Being a bypass design and not filtering all air being delivered through the home is the downfall of the HEPA. Additionally, a HEPA filter requires its own fan to run for the bypass system.
Whole Home Air Purification Systems (IDEAL SOLUTION)
These are an “in line” assembly that is installed on the furnace duct system. They purify 100% of the air entering your furnace as it is being delivered throughout your home. This type of system incorporates a higher surface area/ higher grade of filtration media in conjunction with a non ozone producing, non radiation type light referred to as UVC.
The UVC light charges a catalyst that acts as a charged invisible skirt that literally turns such health risks as mold spores, living microorganisms, bacteria and viruses into a water vapour. The MERV16 pleated media filter traps over 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns (24 times smaller than a blood cell) while trying to minimize airflow restriction and reduce energy consumption.
Find the right air filter for your home with help from the experts at Delta!
Delta has been proudly serving the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph regions’ HVAC needs since the 1950s. Our team of licensed technicians strives to provide our clients with reliable service and cost-effective solutions.
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