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AC Filters, Your First Line Of Defense Against Allergies

By: Donald Munn, Sun Mar 25th, 2007 04:46:20 PM

To achieve the cleanest air in your home it is very important that you select an ac filter that is efficient. There are a great variety of filters available from general use to very efficient. Some are even made to handle certain types of problems such as smell or even allergens like fungus, mold and bacteria. There was a time that these filters were only available for commercial use but today they are available for home owners also. Some of the most efficient ac filters are HEPA and electrostatic.

When it comes to AC filters, equipment protection was the initial goal. In other words, AC filters were originally designed to protect the various components of the heating or air conditioning system from larger contaminants that may damage the equipment. The added benefit was cleaner air, but nothing like you see today. Today, AC filters still protect the equipment but they also give us clean, healthy air.

The key to clean air is to make sure AC filters are well maintained. After all, these filters can only hold so many pollutants. Some AC filters are disposable, meaning once they reach a point of being full of air pollutants; they are simply tossed out and replaced. However, you will also find a number of AC filters designed to be recycled. These AC filters are removed, washed, dried, and put back into position.

One of the benefits of keeping your ac filter well maintained is that equipment operating efficiency and cooling capacity is kept at optimum levels. For you, the home owner, this means reduced operating costs, fewer breakdowns and extended operating life.

As far as replacement of AC filters, the timing depends on various factors. For instance, if the air passing through your air conditioning unit is not overly polluted, your filter could easily last for months. On the other hand, if you live in a dusty area or have problems with fungus and yeast, then your AC filter may need to be replaced every two to three weeks.

One of the keys to maintaining filter and equipment efficiency is to change or clean the filter at regular intervals. This means before it becomes so dirty that it begins to have a negative impact on air flow and system capacity. You will always be further ahead replacing or cleaning your ac filter sooner than required rather that waiting until it begins to have a negative effect on the equipment.

Typically air conditioning units need about four hundred CFM of air flow for every ton of cooling. Therefore as the capacity of the cooling system increases so does the size of the filter required for the unit. This is not typically something that you will have to be concerned about because air conditioner manufacturers will have the proper sized filter rack installed in the unit when it is shipped to the supplier.

Compare the pros and cons of each furnace filter type at http://www.furnacefiltercare.com

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