Is it time to change your filter? Did you know your filter is supposed to be changed every 30 days or sometimes sooner? Maintaining and choosing the right air filter for your air conditioner is not a difficult thing to do. The professionals at Bartlett Heating and Air want you to know this simple step will lead to better performance in your furnace and lower energy costs.
MERV ratings range between 1 to 20. MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. MERV rating of 1 would be an electrostatic filter and doesn’t catch a whole lot. MERV 20 catches 99.99% of particulates and is used in places that need absolute sterility. Most homes do just fine with a MERV of around 13 because they catch efficiently and still leave enough air flow to make your HVAC system work properly. Too high of a MERV number can lead to restricted air flow in your system and cause it to work improperly. The filter’s MERV rating is important but there are other key values to notice as well.
A filter’s resistance, also known as pressure drop, makes an impact on your system’s air flow. You want to make sure you choose one with a low pressure value. This will increase the air flow making your system run more efficiently saving you money on your energy bill. Another factor is the filter’s dust holding capacity. The better the filter holds, the better your air will be. The pressure drop efficiency will change when you have excess dust in the filter so make sure you change it every 30 days. Higher MERV ratings trap more allergens and dirt but can restrict the air flow in your HVAC system so be careful about using them.
Choosing the right filter will contribute to better performance in your air conditioner as well as lower energy costs.Neglecting to change your filter will cause issues with your HVAC system which lead to unnecessary repairs and raised energy bills. Changing your filter takes mere minutes and the filters are not expensive. Easy simple maintenance that can save you lots of time and money in the future. Regular clean and checks should be done by your professionals at Bartlett Heating and Air as well! Call Bartlett Heating and Air today to let us help you choose the best filter for your home needs!
