First, we’re glad to hear that you know about the air filter for your air conditioning system. If your AC is in the same cabinet as your furnace (and this is the most common type of HVAC setup), then the same filter works for both units. It’s important to know about this filter, since you must change it routinely to help your HVAC system work at the optimal condition and avoid several serious problems, which can include the system overheating and the evaporator coil freezing over.
But if you think that the AC filter is there to help improve the air quality of your home, we’re glad you stopped by to read this. Although the filter has some effect on air quality, it’s usually harming the indoor air quality because the filter is too congested. The filter otherwise doesn’t noticeably improve air quality.
“If it doesn’t filter my air, why is it there?”
It does filter the air, but not for the purpose of a healthier indoor atmosphere. The air filter handles an important job, which is to protect the interior of the HVAC system and keep the AC and furnace from suffering damage.
The filter is located between the return air ducts, where the HVAC’s blower draws air from inside the house, and the blower assembly inside the cabinet. Plenty of dust, dander, and other indoor debris flow through the air in the return ducts, and the filter traps them so they don’t contaminate the interior components. The filter will eventually become congested with debris and need to be replaced with a clean one. Depending on the filter strength, the change should be done every 1 to 3 months.
“So how can I filter my air to make it healthier?”
You do need air filters for this job, but not the type found on the HVAC cabinet. Instead, you’ll want to call our HVAC professionals to install an air filtration system in Slidell, LA, a.k.a. a whole-house filter. These filters are integrated into the ducts in the ideal position to trap the largest amounts of contaminants moving through the supply ducts. Professionals must plumb the filter holder into the ducts.
Air filtration systems come in a wide range of types of strengths. The standard filters are pleated filters, extended media filters, and electronic filters that have improved filtration power thanks to an electrostatic charge that helps draw contaminants to be trapped. You want professionals to help you select the right filter for your needs. A filter that’s too weak won’t do you much good, but a filter that’s too strong creates even bigger problems. A filter that has too thick a weave will block airflow from the HVAC system, leading to a pressure spike that can damage the HVAC system and keep air from reaching the rooms.
You can trust the Gowland’s team to locate the air filtration system that will provide your family with cleaner air and an HVAC system that still works at peak condition.
Gowland’s Heating & A/C Values “Relationship Over Revenue!” If you want better indoor air quality for your home, contact our professionals.