Residential Air Filters Help Control Air Pollutants!

Residential air filters are of great help especially for homes where people suffer from respiratory problems caused by air pollutants. These filters help get rid of pollutants like pollen, dust, smoke, bacteria, fur, fabric, and so on. They are also beneficial in increasing the efficiency of the heating and cooling system thereby enhancing their service life. They can either be placed in an area in the home and garden or fixed with the central heating or cooling system. For the people spending most of their time indoors, especially those suffering from respiratory problems, efficient HVAC filters are very helpful in keeping the air clean, making their life easier. There is variety of air filters with different filtration media available for residential purposes in various price ranges. There are cotton, polyester, fiberglass, elector statically charged synthetics and electrically charged metals. Filters made with these Medias are manufactured in several configurations, with pleated disposable types most preferred.

Residential air filters are chosen after analyzing the type of materials used, their efficiency, and of course the pricing involved.

Another important feature of residential air filters is the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. It is an industry standard rating ranging from 1 to 16 which states the efficiency of a filter to trap the particles in the air. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is supposed to be. Lower MERV ratings of four to five are found in fiberglass dust filters; whereas higher MERV rating pleated filters find application in critical areas like hospitals to keep infectants and bacteria away from the patients. Also, with higher MERV rating, the resistance to air flow decreases as a result of more sophisticated media design and the associated increase in available media surface area. The additional media area, made possible by the pleating process, allows more air to flow through the filter. .

Commercial and residential pleated air filters (like Purolator filters) are usually disposable and often make use of electrostatic media. Disposable pleated filters require no maintenance and are typically replaced at recommended intervals (e.g. 90 days). They have higher MERV ratings, as well. Permanent filters require regular cleaning and maintenance because their efficiency decreases as contaminants accumulate in the media. Permanent filters can be electrically charged, requiring a power source, or employ topically applied tackifiers capture and hold dust.

Maintaining Residential Filtration

A filter needs to be replaced or cleaned regularly in order to maintain the efficiency of the system on the whole. The effects of a dirty filter can be the following:

*Reduction in the heating and cooling functions by the system.
*Reduction in efficiency of the system and shorter service life of the equipment.
*Compressor failure.
*Increased power consumption.
*Higher maintenance costs.

Residential air filters are available in numerous varieties in retail outlets and home hardware centers, as well as on the internet. Before choosing a filter for your home, evaluate the basic functioning of your HVAC unit, the maintenance required, and the MERV rating required to remove the contaminants of most concern in your home.

Check out the wide range of Purolator filters on www.buyhomeairfilters.com. It offers one-stop solution for all varieties of residential air filters and commercial air filters.