Guide to Care, Cleaning, and Maintenance of Grout, How to Change the Air Filter in Your HVAC System. It has no problem maintaining airflow in either situation. The most commonly used system applies a MERV number (minimum efficiency reporting value) to each filter, which was developed by ASHRAE (formerly the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). If the dimensions of the filter are not on the filter frame or edge, youll need to grab a tape measure. Changing the air filters in your HVAC system is an essential practice that ensures clean air circulates throughout your home. But what happens if you let that time lapse a little bit? Filtrete recommends that you replace this filter four times a year, so though the price is only $20 per filter, the annual cost is $80. CRs take: The 4-inch-thick Aprilaire Healthy Home 213 MERV 13 earns an Excellent rating for removing dust, smoke, and pollen when the HVAC system is running on its highest fan speed. Something else to keep in mind as you shop is the filtering grade given by the manufacturer. Yes, it's a messy job. Can't find what you're looking for? But the real thing is so much better. Your unit may also have an affixed label with directions for easy filter replacement. Thats important because the concentration of air pollutants inside your home can be two to five times higher than concentrations typically found outdoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Excellent customer service! The smaller pores in more highly rated air filters create resistance to air flow, and if the filter is used in an HVAC system that is not designed to handle this resistance, it can lower the systems efficiency, decrease indoor air quality, and put strain on the systems fan. Use the right filter for your unit and make sure its not damaged out of the package. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Write the date on the edge of the filter so you can see when it was last changed. Sturdier filters are reusable, usually with metal frames, and can be cleaned according to manufacturer instructions. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. Learn how to choose and maintain your HVAC system. Learn about our energy efficient innovations that can help you save on your heating & cooling energy expenses, while ensuring your home is comfortable. Discount Filters offers many different types of discount air filters to help you breathe better air inside your home based on your specific needs. Learn about our innovative products and how they can help improve your comfort. A dirty filter restricts the air flow into your HVAC systems air handler, causing it to work harder to cool or heat your home. They are inserted into a specific place within your return air duct (usually a large drop down vent in your hallway or other place in your home). And, once it becomes a habit, youll find that changing an air conditioner filter is an easy, low-cost way to maintain your comfort and hopefully save a little money down the road. Free Shipping on Orders Over $50 for all domestic orders. If this is the case, you may have the wrong size filter, or the filter itself may be defective or damaged. They will call you to let you know service is on the way and call to follow up to make sure everything is to your satisfaction. We want you to continue to get the most out of your air conditioning system and ensure a safe and comfortable interior climate during every season. Tell us about your website experience. Whether it happened inside the packaging or while being installed, a damaged filter that has bent fins, collapsed cells or holes will not work as well as an undamaged filter, especially if it allows system air to bypass the filter at any point. Both types of grading assign higher values to more effective filters, so when in doubt, go with a higher rating, Kollantai says. If you are cleaning the filter, be sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations. Pet dander can become airborne and circulate through the homes ventilation system just as typical household dust does. They were able to get us on their schedule immediately! In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best solar generators on Amazon to help you find the product thats right for you and your home. Allergies, pets, odors and smoking all can greatly affect the quality of your indoor air. The filter is damp. Dirty, unchanged filters can make your HVAC system fail completely. You have pets. Was grateful that he was there to change the filter in my ceiling. Allergies, pets, odors and smoking all can greatly affect the quality of your indoor air. Exceeding your expectations is our goal! They are categorized by MERV ratings 1 through 20. From the start, Mike was conscientious and gave me his personal phone number to reach out to him as we went through the attempted repairs. You or someone in your household suffers from allergies or a respiratory condition. Most filters are designed to block out dust, dirt, pet hair, lint, mold, bacteria, and more. Air filters trap pet hair, dust, and other irritating particles so that your air conditioning system delivers fresh, clean air back into your home. Protect your HVAC system and clean the air in your home with one of these filters from CRs tests. Regular AC & furnace filter replacements will also help to eliminate dust around your home or building, which can make for a cleaner property and reduce your amount of daily chores. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon. 2011 Southtech Drive, Suite 100Greenwood, IN 46143, ©2022 Discount Filters. Highly recommend!". Lastly, HVAC filter replacements will improve the efficiency of your unit and help to lower monthly utility bills. Here are some reasons why it essential to replace your filters on a routine basis: For proficient AC & furnace filter replacement services in your area, call the professionals at Blaze Air at (336) 788-3322. What's the Best Temperature for Your Water Heater? More activity means more household dust, dirt and debris. Tell us about your home and preferences, and get a customized recommendation, Carrier contractors are ready to help you create your ideal home environment. Saves you from a slew of costly repairs and eventually having to replace your unit altogether. The HVAC system will draw more power to overcome the obstacle. In this episode, Tom shares a trick to evenly space balusters; Heath shows how to drill holes in studs to run wire; Jenn Largesse builds DIY deck chairs; Richard explains how to deal with a damp basement. The filter of the unit, especially if its an HVAC unit that will tend to get nearly year-round use, should be changed by the homeowner at least every three months, but possibly more often. Repairing a broken HVAC system can end up costing you a pretty penny. Keep reading to learn when and how to change your air filter. As a part of your heating and air conditioning system, the air filter plays two main roles: A dirty filter can cause a number of issues with your system. In this article, we discuss the importance of changing an air filter and give you tips on how to do it. These are made of a much finer mesh than other filters, and so can screen out tiny particles such as allergens, pollen, dander, and mold spores. How Often Should You Change Water Filters? Thats why our indoor comfort pros are available for emergency service 24/7 with no overtime rates! One such task is changing the filter of the homes HVAC system. The coils are excessively dusty or clogged. Without a clean air filter, your HVAC unit works harder and is prone to more breakdowns. Turn the unit on and observe it while its operating to make sure the filter stays in place. Hidden away in your basement or attic, the air filter in your HVAC system is something you probably dont think about much. Ideally, if you still have the HVAC systems manual, youll find the filter dimensions listed there. Airflow is restricted which creates a strain on the system. A filters MERV number indicates how its rated to remove these particles. You live in a particularly windy area or experience high winds for extended periods, especially if there are no nearby shrubs or trees to provide a natural windbreak. and provides certification to help you stand out from the crowd. Its important to use the appropriate filter for your unit; using the wrong filter that doesnt fit the unit properly can create the same types of problems as having a dirty filter. If its somewhere in between, you can default to the filter manufacturers recommendations or use your own judgment based on your own experience. A filter affected by moisture intrusion, system condensation, or even high indoor humidity can quickly become moldy and spread airborne mold spores throughout the home via the ventilation system. Poor indoor air quality can increase allergic reactions, asthma symptoms, and cause you and your family to become very sick. The high price of these filters is somewhat justified by their smart technology. Air filters typically arent designed to filter the air forever. Professional Service. For heavy-use months, a good reminder is to change your air filter the day your new utility bill arrives. Most standard air filters are 1 - 2 inches in thickness. CRs take: The Filtrete 1900 Maximum Allergen Reduction filter is impressive at removing dust, pollen, and smoke from the air when the HVAC system is running on its highest fan speed, earning an Excellent rating in that test. How to Install an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater, What Does Propane Tank Installation Cost? How to Set the Perfect Temperature in Every Single Room of your House The Mini Split Solution The battle over climate, Theres a common conundrum behind one of the biggest myths in the HVAC industry. Simply pick the filter that suits your needs. Can't find what you're looking for? base their heating and cooling company on a high set of standards. Follow the directions for your unit to make sure youre installing the filter properly. We also test the 4-inch Aprilaire Allergy & Asthma 216 filter, which earns similar scores. The role of an air filter is often misunderstood. CRs take: Another good performer, the 4-inch-thick Filtrete Healthy Living Ultra Allergen 4 MPR1550 capably removes dust, pollen, and smoke with the HVAC system running on both its highest and lowest fan speeds, earning Very Good ratings. Ensures the longevity of your cooling system. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); "Technician arrived on time. Protects your AC system from premature failure. As air moves through a buildings HVAC system,air filterstrap and collect large and small particles such as dust, allergens and microorganisms. When this happens it could lead to malfunctioning components, multiple repairs, and even having to replace the entire system. An InterNACHI inspector or HVAC technician can help determine the problem so that it doesnt recur. You run your unit six months a year to year-round. The next effects to worry about are the other contaminants that enter a dirty system. Mold spores already infiltrating the home via the HVAC system are not only bad for the unit itself, but they can pose a health hazard for the family, ranging from an irritated respiratory system to a serious allergic reaction. There is construction taking place around or near the home. Filtrete Healthy Living Ultra Allergen 4 MPR1550. Filters are not just replacement parts, they are the water and the air that our families drink and breathe. To learn more about these technologies, your options, and about other categories of personal information we collect through this website and how we may use it, please see our privacy policy. Eventually, they will fill up with dust and dirt. Most single-home residential systems include either a vertical or horizontal indoor air handler unit (furnace or fan coil), typically in a basement, furnace/utility closet, garage or sometimes an attic. But a good air filter keeps your central air conditioner (and furnace) humming along by protecting the mechanicals from dust and debris. Use a rag to clean up any residual dust before and after you replace the filter. Find a local Carrier expert you can trust, Air Conditioners, HVAC Education, Maintenance, Removal of airborne particles from the air that you breathe to improve indoor air quality, Keeping internal components free from dust and debris to maintain efficiency and reliability of operation. Don't settle for poorly-made knock offs. If you live in a multifamily apartment or condo unit, the filter may be located in an in-wall return air grill. Contact us to help find your filter. Make sure there arent any gaps around the filter frame. A dirty filter in your HVAC system will raise your energy bills. As the furnace or air conditioning system moves air throughout your house, the systems air filter catches dust and other particles. Airborne ash outdoors will eventually find its way indoors. Important: As you remove the filter, take note of the direction of the arrows on the filters edge. What Can Safely Go in the Garbage Disposal? Your safety and comfort is our top priority. We don't know what's in your water, but we know there's nothing in your cart. Securely replace any levers, gaskets and/or seals. The musty smell produced by a moldy HVAC filter is also unpleasant and may take a while to completely eradicate from inside the home. In both cases, airflow through the filter is strong. And the best filters trap indoor pollutants such as dust, pet dander, and pollen, helping to clean the air in your home. While these factors affect the frequency of air filter replacement, you should visually inspect your filter every month to check for excess particle buildup. The higher the rating, the more effective it is at catching small particles. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. The filter is damaged. Both have lower MPR filtering ratings than the 2500 Smart Premium. 30? For the typical homeowner, changing air conditioner filters is one of the easiest AC maintenance tasks you can perform. There is evidence of microbial growth or mold on the filter. CRs take: The 5-inch-thick Carrier EZ Flex Filter Cabinet with a filtering rating of MERV10 earns a Very Good rating for removing dust, pollen, and smoke from the air when a system is running on its highest fan speed, but it earns only a so-so rating of Good with the HVAC running on the lowest speed. If you havent already removed the old air filter, remember to note the direction of the arrows on the filters edge as you take the old filter out. Most homes have some sort of furnace or heat pump, and many of those homes (especially newer ones) have combined heating, ventilation and air-conditioning or HVAC systems. This filter provides nearly unrestricted airflow. All rights reserved. The exact location of the filter can vary depending on the indoor HVAC unit and type of system. ", "This was my first time using Blaze Air and will not be my last, excellent experience from the initial call to get info and setup appointment to the tech coming to the house to provide service. The specialists at Blaze Air. An air filters minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating measures how effectively the filter stops dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and into the air stream. That's why we make your purchase risk free by offering free returns for up to 1 year. This can lead to serious health consequences, not to mention a compromised unit that will likely require servicing and may require replacement, depending on the severity of the moisture problem. Professional People. Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction 1500 MPR. Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. Your HVAC or furnace technician should service your unit once a year. But youll pay $184 in annual costs because the filter costs more and Aprilaire recommends replacing it twice a year. For a filter next to your blower, the arrows should typically point towards the blower. But at the lowest speed, the filter is only average at removing those same airborne particles. Matthew was very pleasant and went right to work. Your opinion matters. Safe Summer Activities for Kids During the Pandemic, What You Need to Know About Bug Spray for Kids, Best Cooling Mattress Toppers From Consumer Reports' Tests, Filtrete 1900 Smart Premium Allergen Bacteria and Virus, Filtrete 1500 Smart Allergen Bacteria & Virus.
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