There is evidence of microbial growth or mold on the filter. A veteran of online and print journalism, I've worked at People, MSNBC, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, and an online Consumer Reports wannabe. The filter is damp. The arrows should point in the direction the air is flowing. After you remove the filter, see if the dimensions are written on the edge (length x width x height). Airborne ash outdoors will eventually find its way indoors. Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction 1500 MPR. Make sure there arent any gaps around the filter frame. Compared to other DIY home improvement projects, changing air filters is a quick and painless process that can be done in less than an hour. If you live in a multifamily apartment or condo unit, the filter may be located in an in-wall return air grill. 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. But the real thing is so much better. But at the lowest speed, the filter is only average at removing those same airborne particles. Paper filters are disposable, with cardboard frames and a paper screen. By submitting your email, you agree to our. Heres how to change your air filter when its time for a replacement. Behind a ceiling- or wall-mounted return air grille. 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. The list price for this filter is $100, although weve seen it selling for less. Air filters typically arent designed to filter the air forever. Failing to have your HVAC filters replaced on a routine basis by the licensed team of professionals at Blaze Air could create a number of problems for your system. Many filters, whether disposable or re-usable can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner nozzle attachment, being careful not to tear the filter material. Guide to Care, Cleaning, and Maintenance of Grout, How to Change the Air Filter in Your HVAC System. This notice is effective for your use of this website for the next 14 days. A dirty filter in your HVAC system will raise your energy bills. This is how dust makes the unit less energy efficient (at best) and can lead to breakdowns. But youll pay $184 in annual costs because the filter costs more and Aprilaire recommends replacing it twice a year. Quadruple your inspection business and reduce your liability with the In more extreme cases a clogged filter can lead to the system turning on and off many times in rapid succession (short cycling) or even shut down completely. We find that thicker filters have two big advantages: They filter particles out of the air better and require replacement less often, says Misha Kollontai, who oversees CRs air filter testing. What Can Safely Go in the Garbage Disposal? When the filter becomes clogged, this can block airflow and make your system work harder than it needs to, using more energy. This filter provides nearly unrestricted airflow. Ensures the longevity of your cooling system. What's the Best Temperature for Your Water Heater? How Often to Change Air Filters will vary based on the type of filter you have. 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. 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. The general consensus is that you should be replacing the air filter in your home every 3 months, or 90 days. 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. On the blower compartment of your furnace or air conditioner, in an attached filter case. A filters MERV number indicates how its rated to remove these particles. But 3M and Home Depot have developed their own classification systems called MPR (microparticle performance rating) and FPR (filter performance rating), respectively. Most standard 1-inch air filters have a 3-month life, but when to change your filter depends on these factors: View home warranty plans that could save you hundreds to thousands of dollars each year. The exact location of the filter can vary depending on the indoor HVAC unit and type of system. 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. Technician was friendly and very thorough in his service, Blaze gets a a+ in my book!! 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. In this article, we discuss the importance of changing an air filter and give you tips on how to do it. Airflow is restricted which creates a strain on the system. Once you have ensured that power is shut off and located the filter, take a moment to determine the direction air flows through the system. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. You live on a working farm or ranch. The higher the rating, the more effective it is at catching small particles. All rights reserved. Both have lower MPR filtering ratings than the 2500 Smart Premium. A filter that becomes dirty enough to change within a short period of time may indicate a problem with the unit or ventilation system, so monitoring how often the filter requires changing is important information for your technician to have. This sort of evaluation is best left to the professional, unless the homeowner has had the appropriate training. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon. For more information on air filters, including some models to avoid, see our full air filter ratings and air filter buying guide. You or someone in your household suffers from allergies or a respiratory condition. Both types of grading assign higher values to more effective filters, so when in doubt, go with a higher rating, Kollantai says. Ultimately, your company made the decision to replace the unit with a Trane system and we could not be more pleased with the result as we finally have good climate control in our house and the system seems to be working perfectly (as Mike predicted)., "David Bell came to service our Geo-Thermal units, very knowledgeable and friendly! dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment. At Blaze Air our conscientious cooling experts encourage all of our customers in and around Winston-Salem to replace their AC filters regularly to avoid more serious and potentially costly complications. 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. Your safety and comfort is our top priority. The coils are excessively dusty or clogged. An InterNACHI inspector or HVAC technician can help determine the problem so that it doesnt recur. Filters are not just replacement parts, they are the water and the air that our families drink and breathe. We gauge how well an air filter removes dust, pollen, and smoke from the air, and see how freely air flows through the filter at any fan speed. Don't settle for poorly-made knock offs. Looking for reliable Winston-Salem AC & furnace filter replacement services? 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. Annual cost is $41 per year based on Aprilaires recommendation to replace the filter once. Professional Service.At Paschal, you can expect nothing less than professional. Below are the top air filters from CRs tests, grouped by their thickness and listed in alphabetical order. HEPA filters can give you better indoor air quality. As air moves through a buildings HVAC system,air filterstrap and collect large and small particles such as dust, allergens and microorganisms. Learn more. Discount Filters offers many different types of discount air filters to help you breathe better air inside your home based on your specific needs. It is not used to purify the air you breathe, but rather to protect the sensitive components of your HVAC system. Most filters are designed to block out dust, dirt, pet hair, lint, mold, bacteria, and more. In some cases, especially on older models, the filter may be found inside the blower cabinet. If you are replacing or changing air conditioner filters, be sure to either measure the old filter or take note of its dimensions if printed on the casing before you throw the old one away. All heating and cooling equipment was checked thoroughly. Air filters are typically made from spun fiberglass (the same thing that makes up your attic insulation) or pleated paper & framed with cardboard for stability and rigidity. 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). Let us help identify your perfect system. 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. The HVAC system will draw more power to overcome the obstacle. base their heating and cooling company on a high set of standards. Ensuring that your filter fits properly in your HVAC system means making sure that you have not only the right length and width, but also the thickness of your filter. They also cease to filter allergens and other particulates out of your air. ", "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. Dust jams the moving parts of an AC such as fan motors and valves. Go to our coupons page to see what discounts are currently being offered on our services.
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