Houses tend to have a lot of dust hence choosing the best furnace filter is vital to the quality of air in your home. Indoor air has been found to be up to five times more polluted than the outdoors. Most people are however not aware of this because the dust particles are microscopic in nature. They are suspended in the air as a result of their size and electrostatic charge in them. These particles include pollen, bacteria, pet dander and spores. To keep the air quality of your house healthy, you need furnace filters of good quality for your furnace. The following are some of the different types of furnace filters from which you can choose.
Panel filter
These furnace filters are made up of a one-inch fiberglass that is installed in ducts. They are not very effective when it comes to dust removal from the air. This is because their primary function is protecting the internal fan and reducing dust on the heating coils. They are primary filters which can only trap large particles in the air.
Reusable filters
These filters are designed for extended use and with regular maintenance and cleaning the will serve for a long time. The downside of these filters, however, is that it is almost impossible to clean them entirely hence adding resistance to airflow. They are also not suitable for trapping small particles in the air.
Pleated filters
These filters are a modified type of panel filter that has folds or pleats which increase its overall surface area. The design change makes them more efficient for trapping dust particles as a result of increased surface areas. They, however, these furnace filters also start resisting airflow as soon as they start collecting dust particles and need to regular replacement.
High-efficiency pleated filters
These are filters with additional components of electrostatic charge which is designed to trap microscopic particles as well as allergens that make the most significant percentage of the air particulate composition. They however also need a regular replacement for maintenance of airflow.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters
HEPA filters are extended filters which can remove sub-micron particles. They have corrugated separators which have core filters folded back and forth over them. This design gives them strength and facilitates passage of air between their pleats. These filters are however not designed to fit most standard furnaces since they need a separate system which includes a filter and a fan.
Choosing a suitable furnace filter for your house depends on several factors such as the dimension of your furnace, and the level of pollution. These are some of the types of furnace filters from which you can choose to improve your indoor air quality.