What Kind of HVAC Air Filter Should You be Using?

With the dust and pollen common in the Broken Arrow area, the right kind of HVAC air filter is essential for maintaining healthy indoor air. To choose the best kind of filter for you, you'll need to understand the factors that play into a filter's effectiveness.

Quality Filters Protect Your Health

Standard fiberglass flat-panel filters may be cheap, but they also offer little benefit. They keep large debris particles out of your HVAC system, but do nothing to improve your air quality. For cleaner air, you'll need a filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of at least 5. These are usually fiberglass or synthetic fiber flat-panel filters. Synthetic fibers are packed more densely than fiberglass, allowing them to trap smaller particles, such as mold spores.If anyone in your home has seasonal or dust allergies, or another respiratory concern, look for an air filter of MERV 11 to 12. This range includes pleated filters made of synthetic fiber. The accordion-like folds in these filters provide a greater surface area to trap particles, increasing their efficiency and lifespan.

Better Filters, Better System Performance

Higher-efficiency filters help maintain your HVAC system's energy efficiency by keeping the components cleaner. Dust on your blower fan and A/C evaporator coil places strain on these components and increases their energy demands, which in turn raises your utility bills. The more efficient the filter, the less dust and other debris enters your system.Pleated filters are less likely to clog quickly, reducing the risk of airflow problems. Very high efficiency filters, however, can be dense enough to interfere with airflow. Consult a technician before installing a filter of MERV 12 or higher.Your filter's size also influences its effectiveness. An undersized filter can blow out of the holder or fail to handle your system's airflow rate. Most systems use 1-inch filters, but some use 4-inch models. To make sure you get the right size, take your old filter with you when shopping for a new one.

For professional help finding the best air filter for your needs, contact us at Air Assurance anywhere around Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Sonia-Sorbi/Shutterstock”

Easy Ways to Prevent Allergies in Your Broken Arrow Home

Spring is almost upon us and that means allergens are about to start blowing across the prairie. If you're looking for some ways to keep your allergies under control, consider implementing the following tips:

• Control the temperature. Keeping your home around 70 degrees can prevent dust mites and mold from taking hold.

• Use a dehumidifier. By reducing dampness, you can keep mold from forming on interior surfaces.

• Keep the windows closed. Even when the weather warms up, rely on your air conditioner and fans to keep your home cool.

• Upgrade your filter.Using a small-particle or HEPA filter can help remove pollen, dust and spores from the air you breathe. It's important to replace or clean these every month.

• Go chemical-free. Instead of using store bought, chemical-based cleaners, consider making your own natural cleaners.

• Wash linens, drapes and clothing regularly. This will help remove particulates that are stuck within the fibers.

Completing these tasks will remove a great deal of particles that trigger allergies within your home's environment. Other things you can do include reducing the number of knick-knacks you have, which reduces the amount of things you need to dust. You can also replace carpet and wallpaper with tile, which makes cleaning easier and more efficient.

If you have pets, you'll want to increase their bathing regimen as they'll likely begin shedding more as the weather warms up. It's also a good idea to increase your own bathing routine, so as to remove pollen and dirt as soon as you come indoors.

The team at Air Assurance is happy to share some more ways to prevent allergies in your home. We invite you to contact us to learn more about the ways we're helping our clients keep the air in their home's around Broken Arrow clean and clear.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Piotr Marcinski/Shutterstock”

Five Types Of Air Filters You Need To Know

When deciding what kind of HVAC air filter you want to use, there are a number of factors to consider.  Some are designed to be cleaned more frequently than others while some are more efficient.  Here are five of the most common types of air filters for use in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow region.Disposable FiltersThese are the most common air filters that are used because of their economical pricing and ease of use.  They should be replaced every six to eight weeks for maximum efficiency.  They are not designed to be washed.  This will only create holes which will make them less efficient.  As for efficiency, these are what is described as "boulder catchers".  They can only filter the extremely large particles flowing throughout your system, for instance, many can't stop salt when sprinkled on top of them.Permanent FiltersThese come in various sizes to fit your needs and do not need to be replaced.  They are easily removable to allow the user to clean them.  It is recommended that you clean them every 30 to 60 days to keep them operating at full power.  These are normally the most restrictive type air filters due to the long lasting fiber the filter is made out of.  This can put a major strain on airflow, causing increased dust, reduced comfort, and potential harm to the system.Hammock FiltersThese come in a  20-foot roll, allowing you to cut the filter to the appropriate size for a your hammock frame.  Once cut, you simply place them in the frame and trim any excess.  They should be disposed and replaced every 60 days. This is similair to the disposable in efficiency.  Most homeowners are bothered by the time it takes to maintain these.Electrostatic Air CleanerThese use electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles in the air and are very efficient at arresting dust, pollen, bacteria and other airborne pollutants.  They are permanent and can be easily washed every month.  Again, these type of filters are extremely restrictive to air flow.Large Pleated Media FiltersThis type of filter is popular because of the low maintenance required to keep them lasting for at least five years.  They tend to have very high efficiency levels and use a media cartridge that has to be replaced only every six months.  There are several different "levels" of pleated media.  You don't have to get the most expensive!  Usually those are very restrictive as well.If you are wondering what type of filtration system is best for your and your family, just ask your technician.  And by the way, Air Assurance has designed their own filters.  They're called Clean-Climate and we've tested them to make sure you get the optimum value of low resistance, high efficiency cleaning, as well as economic pricing.Air Assurance has been serving Oklahoma residents for more than 30 years. Experts are available to answer any questions you may have and provide any services you may need.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.