The quality of air we breathe is as important as the air itself when it comes to leading a healthy life. It is not only surprising but shocking too to note that indoor air quality is polluted than outdoor air quality by two to five times as per the study conducted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Air quality is one of the root causes of many allergies and airborne respiratory diseases and furnace air furnace filter is one of the proven tools to maintain the desirable air quality issue.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) industry offers host of choices of furnace air filter that help you to maintain the indoor air quality in your home and office where you spend maximum hours of your day. There are many types of furnace air filters available today namely frame furnace filter, electrostatic air filters, media air filters, pleated air filters, HEPA air filters, and activated carbon air filters. Each type of filter has its own advantages and disadvantages and buying decision is often influenced by individual requirement. It is suggested not to go by the price of the filter while buying a furnace air filter; instead you should look for the quality and durability of the filter. A cheaper filter may turn out to be costlier than an expensive one if it needs replacement frequently.
The quality of furnace air filter is the critical in deciding the air quality around you. The basic purpose of the furnace air filter is to remove pollen, bacteria, mold spores, etc. and to ensure supply of fresh air. Cheap furnace air filter cannot always remove airborne particles, which get deposited on the fan and the heating coil resulting in reduced life and efficiency of costly parts of the machine. It is advisable to change the furnace air filter with certain periodicity as per the guideline provided by the manufacturers in the user manual. The cost of the furnace air filter is relatively much less compared to the cost of the furnace and you should never ignore the much-needed replacement to avoid bigger losses. Many furnace air filter suppliers often send you reminders whenever you need a replacement.
The efficiency of furnace air filter is measured by MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. A higher MERV rating indicates a more efficient filter.
The brand name or the manufacturer of the filter is not of much significance while making a buying decision since most of the brands can be interchanged. The dimensions (length, width, and thickness) of the filter are important for ordering a furnace air filter. Standard-sized furnace filters are readily available with the suppliers. However if your furnace requires unusual size of filter, they can also arrange the same. Furnace air filters are there for making your environment clean and safe.