What to consider before buying an AC air filter

Many people may know that they need to change their air filters regularly, but few of them know what type or size they should get. It can especially be overwhelming for first-time homeowners to figure out the air filter that suits their needs.

Keep in mind that you can find a variety of air filters on the market, so it’s important to choose the right one for your home. This article discusses what to consider before buying an ac air filter.

The size of the air filter

It’s crucial to determine the size of the air filter because home air filters come in different sizes. After all, air filters usually work best when you choose the one that has a tight fit. Therefore, if there are some gaps around the air filter’s frame when you install it, it means the air filter may not be the correct size for your system.

The good news is that the size of the air filter is usually printed on the product, making it easier for you to buy the right size of the air filter. When it comes to thickness, most of the air filters can measure from less than 1 inch to over 4 inches.

But most homes have a 1-inch space for an air filter. This is the reason why you should always check your system’s needs and buy the right size that fits, such as filterking.com/air-filter-sizes/8x24x1a.

Types of home air filters

You can find various home filters on the market. Electric ones which operate on batteries should use amazon rechargeable batteries for better working and convenience. Most of them offer varying performance levels and have maintenance requirements. Besides, air filters are pretty effective when they are clean and new, though some can last longer than others.

Disposable fiberglass is a type of air filter designed to collect bigger particles like dust, debris, and lint. You can also find disposable ones that can pick both small and large particles like spores and mites. The disposable pleated filters require to be changed regularly. There are also disposable electrostatic air filters that have electrically charged fibers. These fibers can collect both smaller and larger particles.

Lastly, there are permanent electrostatic air filters that have charged fibers that are similar to the disposable versions, though they collect many particles. These air filters are washable, so you can only replace them every six to eight years.

By now you may be wondering how you can wash these reusable air filters. Well, you can clean them by simply rinsing away dust particles using a hose outside your home. But make sure that the air filter is dry before installing it back into your system.

Above all, you should always look out for the minimum efficiency reporting value of the air filter. This rating can help you figure out how well the air filter traps particles when you install it in your system. This seems as easy as house plant identification by leaf shape but actually it is not.

Most home filters usually have a rating that is between 1 and 13. This is the number that indicated the efficiency of the air filter, meaning a higher rating shows that it can collect more particles.