Furnace Filters: Protecting Air Quality By Tyler Earp

Furnaces are essential to keeping warm in your home during the cold winter months. They also help maintain good air quality in your home. Many people are not aware of just how much dirt, dust, and germs are floating around invisibly in the air. By purchasing a good furnace filter and changing it when necessary, you can greatly reduce the number of undesirable dirt particles in the air. Take some time to compare products before you choose which filter to purchase for your furnace.

How good a furnace filter is at keeping dirt out of the air depends on its size, how it is made, and what materials it is made from. The density of the fibers used to make the filter will also affect how well it can trap particles. Some can be washed and reused, while others must be disposed and replaced. Prices of filter vary depending on size, brand, and quality but most cost between $25 and $150.

Panel filters are usually made of fiberglass, are one inch thick, and are used to protect air ducts. Their primary purpose is to protect the furnace system and fans from damage, so they are not all that effective when it comes to protecting air quality. They will, however, keep large dust particles out of the air.

Washable and reusable filters are also available. One advantage to these is that you only have to buy them once; after that you simply have to wash them. This is not always easy, however, and getting a filter completely clean is nearly impossible. They, like panel filters, can only stop large particles from passing through the air.

High efficiency pleated filters can stop 99% of airborne particles. They can do that because they have an electrostatic charge that catches allergens and dust in the air. In order to make sure that these furnace filters are working well, they need to be replace regularly.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are extra strong filters that can even trap sub-micron particles. They do not fit most standard furnaces, however, because they are made to work separately with their own fan and additional filter.