Air conditioner filters have a huge effect on the amount of allergens we come into contact with on a daily basis. Allergens are a serious problem for many Americans. Some experience seasonal allergies, but for many others, allergies are a serious and debilitating problem with consequences that last the whole year round. Many people attribute their allergens to outdoor causes, like animals, plants, or smog, but those people fail to realize that the air inside our homes is significantly more polluted than the air outside. It’s really a frightening thought.
In the fight against allergens in our homes, air conditioner filters are really our first, last, best, and only defense. They cycle the air that we breathe, and can be responsible for either stopping allergens in their tracks, or propagating them throughout an environment. There are many different filters which can help keep the allergens at bay, including fiberglass panel filters, HEPA air filters, activated carbon air filters, pleated air filters, electrostatic air filters, and pre-cut media air filter pads. Each of these systems is different, and provides varying degrees of relief for different situations. It’s surprising when you stop and look just how many varieties there really are! It can be overwhelming.
When buying air conditioner filters, keep in mind that there can be a large degree of variety between the measurements of different systems. So when you are shopping you may not find a filter that matches exactly the dimensions of the filter you are trying to replace. Keep in mind that this is not the end of the world, just choose the most appropriately sized air filter that you can. Find the largest size that will still fit inside the unit.
While the cheap, pleated, disposable air filters are definitely the most popular, these also come with a few caveats. Be mindful that because they are inexpensive, they require slightly more attention than some other filters. If you do not change it as often as you should, it can actually break down within the system, causing damage that is very costly to repair. I realize that with all that we have to do in our daily lives, changing our air conditioner filters as often as we should seems like a daunting task. But it’s unfortunately one that we must perform.
I hope this post has given you some additional insight into how to make educated choices to help reduce allergens in your home. Thanks, and please keep reading my air conditioner filters blog!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Air Conditioner Filters Video
Here's a great video of some old farts tooling around with air conditioner filters. There's actually some pretty good info in here, and it's neat that you can do all this testing at home!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Air Conditioner Filters: Understanding the MERV Number
The MERV (or Minimum Efficiency Value Rating) is a great system for measuring the quality and effectiveness of air conditioner filters. But what exactly is a MERV?
The MERV number is essentially a measure of the ability of air conditioner filters to remove particles from the air. In order to do this, a machine produces a set quantity of twelve different particles, ranging in size from large to small, which it fires through the filter. The quantity of particles going into the filter is recorded and measured against the quantity of the particles coming out of the filter on the other side. This test is performed once with a clean filter, and five additional times with the same filter.
Once the test is done, the analysts look at how many particles of what sizes were trapped by the filter for each of the cycles, and an efficiency value is given. Through a more complex set of tables, a MERV number is given based on the filtering ability of the filter for three different categories of particles over all six tests.
So, now that you know what a MERV number is, how can it help you as a consumer?
Unlike the old ASHRAE system for measuring efficiency, MERV is very easy to understand and translate into effective consumer use. Most people couldn’t care less about the MERV number of their air conditioner filter, but there are two very good reasons why you should: health, and money.
Many people don’t realize how inefficient an air conditioning system can become from consistent use of an incorrectly rated filter. The change happens over time, and so is frequently gone unnoticed. This inefficiency can have a profound effect on the lifespan and cooling ability of your air conditioning unit. Many consumers waste hundreds of dollars a year on inefficient cooling. In today’s economy that’s no small amount!
The other reason to care about your MERV number is health. It’s astounding the number of particular allergens that make their way into our homes on a regular basis. Air systems move all of the air in our homes, and are our primary defense against airborne allergens, as well as some bacteria and other nasty germs. Having a well-rated air conditioner filter can greatly reduce our suffering during pollen season, and can even help keep us a little healthier. Particularly for those with breathing problems, the change can be immediate and drastic.
I realize that MERV numbers aren’t the most exciting topic in the world, but once you understand them, you can understand why there are several good reasons to care. Thanks for reading my air conditioner filters blog!
The MERV number is essentially a measure of the ability of air conditioner filters to remove particles from the air. In order to do this, a machine produces a set quantity of twelve different particles, ranging in size from large to small, which it fires through the filter. The quantity of particles going into the filter is recorded and measured against the quantity of the particles coming out of the filter on the other side. This test is performed once with a clean filter, and five additional times with the same filter.
Once the test is done, the analysts look at how many particles of what sizes were trapped by the filter for each of the cycles, and an efficiency value is given. Through a more complex set of tables, a MERV number is given based on the filtering ability of the filter for three different categories of particles over all six tests.
So, now that you know what a MERV number is, how can it help you as a consumer?
Unlike the old ASHRAE system for measuring efficiency, MERV is very easy to understand and translate into effective consumer use. Most people couldn’t care less about the MERV number of their air conditioner filter, but there are two very good reasons why you should: health, and money.
Many people don’t realize how inefficient an air conditioning system can become from consistent use of an incorrectly rated filter. The change happens over time, and so is frequently gone unnoticed. This inefficiency can have a profound effect on the lifespan and cooling ability of your air conditioning unit. Many consumers waste hundreds of dollars a year on inefficient cooling. In today’s economy that’s no small amount!
The other reason to care about your MERV number is health. It’s astounding the number of particular allergens that make their way into our homes on a regular basis. Air systems move all of the air in our homes, and are our primary defense against airborne allergens, as well as some bacteria and other nasty germs. Having a well-rated air conditioner filter can greatly reduce our suffering during pollen season, and can even help keep us a little healthier. Particularly for those with breathing problems, the change can be immediate and drastic.
I realize that MERV numbers aren’t the most exciting topic in the world, but once you understand them, you can understand why there are several good reasons to care. Thanks for reading my air conditioner filters blog!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Pictures of Air Conditioner Filters
This type of air conditioner filter is better for industrial use than for home use.
Friday, April 10, 2009
How to Choose Air Conditioner Filters
Shopping for air conditioner filters can be an unbelievably difficult and time consuming process. Most people just buy whatever random filter they find at the grocery store without ever stopping to thing about it, and those who do are lost in the mire of air conditioner filters of various brands without knowing where to turn. If you look on the internet, you are immediately diverted to sales pages with little-to-no information about the actual products they are selling.
So how do you choose the air conditioner filters which are right for you and your family? The answer is simpler than you might think- just look at the MERV number. What’s a MERV number, you ask? The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) is essentially an indicator of the filter’s performance. The MERV numbers range from 1 being the lowest to 13 being the highest. The higher the MERV number, the greater the ability of the filter to trap particles. The high MERV filters contain denser combinations of materials that are better at trapping smaller particles than less dense materials.
So why don’t we all just run out and buy MERV 13 air conditioner filters and don’t think another thing about it? Because (confusingly), air conditioner filters are like car engines, in that they are all rated for different filters. Just like you wouldn’t put diesel fuel into a racecar engine, you don’t want to put a MERV 13 air conditioner filter into a unit which is only designed to accept a MERV 9. This could cause serious problems and ruin your air conditioner. It is important to read the literature associated with your air conditioner to determine the highest possible MERV number that the air conditioner will accept, and put that air conditioner filter in it.
Additionally, extremely high rated air filters are expensive, and are really not essential for most normal households. Unless you have children with severe allergies, or pets with excessive dander and shedding, you can probably forgo an expensive, pleated, allergen reducing synthetic filter and go with one of the more basic ones.
Another great thing to look for in air conditioner filters is one which is antimicrobial. Bacteria which would ordinarily be drawn in by the system and be recirculated through your house potentially making you sick are trapped in the filter. This can be a great option for people with lowered immune systems, older people, or people who are just prone to sickness in general.
I hope this has given you some thoughts to start with. Thanks for reading my air conditioner filters blog!
So how do you choose the air conditioner filters which are right for you and your family? The answer is simpler than you might think- just look at the MERV number. What’s a MERV number, you ask? The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) is essentially an indicator of the filter’s performance. The MERV numbers range from 1 being the lowest to 13 being the highest. The higher the MERV number, the greater the ability of the filter to trap particles. The high MERV filters contain denser combinations of materials that are better at trapping smaller particles than less dense materials.
So why don’t we all just run out and buy MERV 13 air conditioner filters and don’t think another thing about it? Because (confusingly), air conditioner filters are like car engines, in that they are all rated for different filters. Just like you wouldn’t put diesel fuel into a racecar engine, you don’t want to put a MERV 13 air conditioner filter into a unit which is only designed to accept a MERV 9. This could cause serious problems and ruin your air conditioner. It is important to read the literature associated with your air conditioner to determine the highest possible MERV number that the air conditioner will accept, and put that air conditioner filter in it.
Additionally, extremely high rated air filters are expensive, and are really not essential for most normal households. Unless you have children with severe allergies, or pets with excessive dander and shedding, you can probably forgo an expensive, pleated, allergen reducing synthetic filter and go with one of the more basic ones.
Another great thing to look for in air conditioner filters is one which is antimicrobial. Bacteria which would ordinarily be drawn in by the system and be recirculated through your house potentially making you sick are trapped in the filter. This can be a great option for people with lowered immune systems, older people, or people who are just prone to sickness in general.
I hope this has given you some thoughts to start with. Thanks for reading my air conditioner filters blog!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Air Conditioner Filters Privacy Policy
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If you have any questions or concerns please contact Me through the site.
If you wish to opt out of Advertising companies tracking and tailoring advertisements to your surfing patterns you may do so at Network Advertising Initiative.
Google uses the Doubleclick DART cookie to serve ads across it's Adsense network and you can get further information regarding the DART cookie at Doubleclick as well as opt out options at Google's Privacy Center
Privacy
I respect your privacy and I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while online at this site. The following discloses how I gather and disseminate information for this Blog.
RSS Feeds and Email Updates
If a user wishes to subscribe to my RSS Feeds or Email Updates (powered by Feedburner), I ask for contact information such as name and email address. Users may opt-out of these communications at any time. Your personal information will never be sold or given to a third party. (You will never be spammed by me - ever)
Log Files and Stats
Like most blogging platforms I use log files, in this case Statcounter. This stores information such as internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring, exit and visited pages, platform used, date/time stamp, track user’s movement in the whole, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses etc. are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. This blog doesn't use cookies. However, some of my business partners use cookies on this site (for example - advertisers). I can't access or control these cookies once the advertisers have set them.
Links
This Blog contains links to other sites. Please be aware that I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these other sites. I suggest my users to be aware of this when they leave this blog and to read the privacy statements of each and every site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Blog.
Advertisers
I use outside ad companies to display ads on this blog. These ads may contain cookies and are collected by the advertising companies and I do not have access to this information. I work with the following advertising companies: Google Adsense, ROI Rocket, Project Payday. Please check the advertisers websites for respective privacy policies.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Me through the site.
Air Conditioner Filters
Welcome to the Air Conditioner Filters Blog, your source for all the latest info and product reviews on air conditioner filters.
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