If you want to continue enjoying the best air quality in your house and have that experience for an extended period without interruptions, you should ensure that you pick the right filter for your HVAC system.
The filter not only refines the air in the house but also improves the functionality and longevity of your HVAC system.
Filters are responsible for trapping pollen, dust, and other particles in the air that might spread around your house and harm you and your family. They also prevent particles in the air from accumulating in your HVAC system, which might affect the system’s overall functionality.
So, having a good filter optimizes your health, saves you money and ensures that you make the most of your system while still preserving it. Canadian Touch, a highly reputable and leading provider of HVAC services in Toronto, shares with you a comprehensive guide you can use to find the perfect filter that matches your exact needs. Here’s all the information you need to have to ensure the filter you settle for satisfies all your needs.
Understanding Filter Ratings: MERV, HEPA, and More
A rating known as the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating measures how well an HVAC filter is working. More specifically, it helps determine how effectively the filter can trap air particles of varying sizes to prevent them from moving around the house and to also hinder their effect on the normal functioning of your HVAC system. The MERV rating goes from 1 to 20, with 1 being the least effective and 20 being the most effective. We recommend working with filters that have a MERV rating of between 8 and 13 for residential homes as such filters provide a good balance of airflow in the house and a highly efficient air filtration process.
Most people tend to go for filters with a very high MERV rating of above 17 due to their advanced functioning. However, it’s worth noting that the advanced functioning of such filters may end up weighing your HVAC system down and cause reduced airflow. The minimized airflow might then bring about system failure or frozen coils. So, a high MERV filter may not necessarily be the most suitable filter for your HVAC system.
A huge number of people also prefer going for the HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. These are filters that can trap as much as 99.97% of air particles that are as tiny as 0.3 microns. To anyone with a desire for purified air with minimized particles, a HEPA filter may sound like the ideal choice. However, considering that residential HVAC systems come in different physical structures, getting a HEPA filter may can be a bad decision.
While some residential HVAC systems work well with a HEPA filter, some systems may not sit well with the dense filtration material that such a filter comes with. And using the HEPA filter in systems that aren’t compatible with it may cause limited airflow. We, at Canadian Touch, can help you ascertain if your system is compatible with a HEPA filter. Our experts are always ready to help, and you can consult with us at any time.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Filter
Some of the things you should keep in mind while picking the most suitable filter for your HVAC system include:
- Allergies and Asthma: If you or any of your family members have asthma or allergies, it’s essential for you to go for a filter that has a really excellent ability to trap air particles that may worsen the two conditions. In such a case, a HEPA filter or a filter that has a high MERV rating can be a good choice, as they can help refine air quality and greatly minimize allergens.
- System Compatibility: The filter you choose to work with and your HVAC system should be compatible. Most importantly, the filter should fit in your HVAC system perfectly so that it’s able to function efficiently. You don’t want to go for a filter that is too big or too small for your system. If you choose a much bigger filter than the correct size, you run the risk of letting contaminants penetrate your system and affect sensitive parts, which may end up reducing your HVAC’s shelf life. On the other hand, a smaller-than-ideal filter may decrease air quality as it may not be effective in trapping debris and dust. You should always aim for a size that perfectly fits your system if you want peak performance and longer shelf life for your HVAC system.
- Maintenance and Cost: When choosing filters, you simply want to go for a filter that is affordable and also cheap to maintain. There is always the temptation to select a filter with the highest MERV rating due to its high-efficiency levels. However, such filters only attract more expenses as you must change them more often, which increases your maintenance cost. The best filter for you is the one that works optimally, meaning, it doesn’t need constant replacement and it also doesn’t run up your energy bills.
- Environmental Factors: The nature of your environment may also dictate the filter to work with. Before you make a purchase, look around your environment and think about the specific filter features that you know will favor the environment. For instance, if you live in an area with extreme pollution or a house with many pets, picking a filter with an advanced filtration process is the right move.
Installing and Maintaining Your Filter
It’s not just buying a good filter that will save you in the long run. Ensuring you install it properly and maintain it well by replacing it as soon as the need arises are just as important. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance. Regarding how long it takes before a filter replacement is necessary, giving your filter a period of 3 to 9 months of use is the best way to go. Also, checking it frequently to ensure everything is working fine will help you keep your system in mint condition and ensure it performs at an optimal level.
Expert Assistance
Expert assistance when looking for the best filter is also very important. Experts have a deeper understanding of filters and HVAC systems, and consulting with them before you make the final decision will help you get clarity on what works best for your exact HVAC system. Our well-trained and vastly experienced experts at Canadian Touch are the best in providing top-quality heating and cooling solutions. And they can help avoid the dilemma, reduce the doubts, and increase your confidence in the filter you settle for as they will give you tailored recommendations that align with your unique HVAC system’s needs to promote smooth performance.
In summary, the best filter will increase the air quality of your home, extend your HVAC system’s lifespan, and ensure it performs at its best. With a good understanding of the different filters available in the market and your individual needs, as well as consulting with an expert, your search for the best filter becomes a whole lot easier.
