Replacing a wet filter in the air conditioning system can create an ideal environment for mold and bacteria to grow. Disposable filters don't require any routine maintenance, as they can be thrown away and replaced with a clean filter when they become dirty. People with severe allergies or asthma will benefit from having a clean oven filter. Fortunately, washable filters are available, allowing you to clean them more often. Using a washable filter is better than replacing it, as you have full control over the chemicals used and you have a permanent filter that is tailored to your needs.
Indoor air quality has a major impact on the physical health of those living in the home. Air conditioning filters can help improve indoor air quality if the right one is chosen and installed correctly. There are two types of filters available: disposable and reusable. Disposable HVAC filters must be changed monthly or quarterly, depending on various factors. As the name implies, a washable HVAC air filter can be washed and reused multiple times.
Never wash or vacuum a disposable air filter unless it is a washable one. Whole home filters, air filters, and heating filters are designed to capture dirt found in most homes, but even if the washable filter is clean, there is no guarantee that it is completely free of dirt. Washing and vacuuming a disposable filter can also damage the material or bend the frame, making the filter ineffective and putting the air conditioning system at risk. This type of washable air filter can also be sprayed with a mild household cleaner to remove any grease or smoke residue. Here, dust particles are charged by the action of friction between the air entering the furnace and the woven polypropylene air filter medium (manufactured with inherent electrostatic properties).
In fact, an air conditioning filter cannot be considered a HEPA filter unless it uniformly filters at least 99.97 percent of all particles of 0.3 microns or more. There are many environmentally friendly air filters on the market, many of which are made from recycled and recyclable materials. Another thing to keep in mind with washable air filters is that the electrostatic charge can decrease over time. Most washable filters last at least ten years, so there's no problem if you plan ahead and take care when washing the filter. The MERV scale ranges from 1 to 16: lower numbers indicate less filtering power and higher numbers are very dense first-line air filters. Washable air filters are usually made of woven polypropylene and are electrostatically charged to capture more particles.
If you're one of many homeowners using disposable filters, you may be wondering if switching to a washable air filter is beneficial. Place it in your air conditioning system (following any directional airflow guidelines) and let ventilation airflow completely dry the clean air filter. In theory, an air filter that is simply rinsed and put back into the boiler can save you time and money. No matter what type of HVAC air filter you choose, some special maintenance tasks are necessary for washable air filters. That said, a well-maintained washable HVAC air filter can last 5 to 10 years before needing to be replaced. You'll have to remove dust less often as the boiler filter works hard to keep these things out of your boiler before they get inside.
