What Kind of Air Filter Is the Most Efficient?
Your air conditioning system is only as good as its air filter. Even if you have the best AC on the market, if your air filter isn’t efficient, you won’t get the most out of your system. But with all of the different air filters available, knowing which one to choose can be daunting. Fortunately, we’re here to demystify the world of air filters and help you select the most efficient option for your home.
Why Are Air Filters Important?
Besides impacting how comfortable your home is, air filters can have an effect on the lifespan of your air conditioning system and can affect your health! Here are just a few of the reasons why air filters are so important:
System Longevity: Without the appropriate air filter, your air conditioning system can sustain significant damage. While the average air conditioning system can last between 10 and 15 years, choosing the wrong air filter can cause increased wear and tear on your system, shortening its lifespan in the process.
Improved IAQ: IAQ or indoor air quality is one of the most important things when it comes to your home. After all, the air you breathe has a direct correlation with your health, so you want to make sure the air you and your loved ones’ are breathing is fresh and healthy. The right air filter will be able to remove pollutants, germs and the like, which will help improve the quality of the air inside of your home.
Energy Savings: The right air filter will help your air conditioning system operate as efficiently as possible, which means yours system will use less energy. The result? Decreased energy bills for you.
Selecting the Right Air Filter for Your Home
When selecting the most efficient air filter for your home, look for the MERV rating. MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a rating system used to determine how efficient an air filter is. MERV ratings typically range between 1 and 20, where the lower the number, the more particles that can pass through and vice versa.
MERV ratings are commonly grouped by particle size and characteristics. For example, air filters with a MERV rating between 9 and 12 and best suited for residential homes, some commercial spaces and hospital labs. These air filters are a great option for these places because they are powerful enough to halt humidifier dust, legionella and more.
Air filters with a MERV rating between 13 and 16 are “stronger” than lower-rated air filters and are best suited for hospitals and surgical centers. The highest rated air filters are reserved for manufacturing rooms for electronic and pharmaceutical companies.
Make Your Air Conditioning System More Efficient
At Sea Coast Air Conditioning, we want to help you get the most out of your air conditioning system. That’s why we provide an extensive list of quality products and services that keep your home comfortable and efficient. Still have questions or need assistance picking the right air filter for your home? Give us a call today or schedule an appointment online.