Air Conditioner Filter
Air Conditioner Filter
The air conditioner filter is a vital part of your home’s air condition; without a proper filter and filter maintenance, your air conditioner or central air unit will fail to operate to its maximum capacity or can become damaged. Keeping the air conditioner filter maintained and in good working order will keep the coiling coils of your unit dust free (for longer life) and will also keep the air inside the room free from pollutants like airborne particles, dust, pet dander and more. Your air conditioner filter may be located in the air conditioner itself, or in the wall, ceiling or (sometimes) furnace. Most of the air conditioner filters on the market today fall under one of five different types. Let’s look at each type individually:
Standard Air Conditioner Filter
This is the basic type of filter that is very inexpensive and lasts around one month. These filters remove 10% of the particles and pollutants from the air. The standard air conditioner filter is not a recommended option in most instances.
HEPA Air Conditioner Filter
The HEPA air conditioner filter is a very common type of filter. HEPA is an acronym for high efficiency particulate air and to be considered a HEPA filter, the filter must be shown to remove 99.97% of particles from the air that is being filtered. HEPA filters, for this reason, are great for use in homes of those who have allergies.
Pleated Air Conditioner Filter
A pleated air filter can catch as much as 40% of the particles in the air because of their design structure, which is much like a paper fan. Pleated air conditioner filters last up to four months and range in price from $5 to $20, depending on the size of the filter and the company that makes it.
Electrostatic Air Conditioner Filter
Using an electric charge in order to attract particles of dirt, the electrostatic air filter is very efficient (and very pricey, costing as much as $100 per filter). Some filters have the electric charge “built in” to the filter while others utilize air moving through layers within the system in order to create an electric charge and attract dirty. Although expensive, most electrostatic air conditioner filters need only be replaced once each year.
Electronic Air Cleaner Air Conditioner Filter
The science behind the electronic air cleaner filter works is very similar to the electrostatic air conditioner filer and is a great choice for those who have allergies. The plus side of the electronic air cleaner filter as opposed to the electrostatic version is that it does not impede the flow of air inside the air conditioner like the former can do.
Tips for Air Conditioner Filters
Be sure to check your air conditioner filter at least monthly, no matter which type you use. You should also have your air conditioner filter and coils looked at before the beginning of the summer months by a certified heating and cooling technician.