The concept of air filters and what they do seems simple, but very few people truly understand the complex nature of these indoor air purifiers. The average person probably thinks that an air filter is just a piece of paper or cloth that sits in the air conditioning unit or furnace and catches all the dust and dirt. According to filterking.com air filters do a lot more than just trap particulates.
Read on to learn more about air filters, what they do, and how they work. The essential key is that they help clean the air around you of dust. Dust, which sounds incredibly harmless, is an allergen that very few people think about—although we should.
Dust is a primary carrier of mold and allergens and can impact over 50 million people in the United States who suffer from allergies. Not to mention the millions more who suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases. Many households must keep their residence as dust-free as possible.
Most state-of-the-aft air filters on the market use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to reduce dust. The type of custom air filter you choose for yourself and your family depends on what is essential.
They say that dust is mostly made from human skin, but that is a misconception: most of those elements end up in your shower. Instead, most of the dust surrounding you is tracked in from outdoors. Your shoes and clothes track in dirt, and opening the door can let in airborne pollutants like soot and pollen. After that? You can blame your pet’s fur, the fibers on your clothing, and even the fluff in your carpet.
What Is an Air Filter and What Does It Do?
An air filter is a screen within an HVAC system that purifies the air as it circulates throughout the home.
The main focus of an air filter is to clean the air in your residence or commercial business, so the recycled air you breathe is healthy and free of pollutants. No matter how often you vacuum your floors and furniture, there will always be some dust, pollen, and other allergens in the air. That’s why it’s important to have a quality air filter installed in your HVAC system.
There are many different air filters on the market today, from disposable filters that need to be replaced every few months to permanent filters that only need to be cleaned every few years. The type of filter you choose will depend on several factors, such as the size of your home, the type of heating or cooling system you have, and your budget.
When you think about your house, do you also consider the air quality? Few people do, but the truth is that the air quality is often far worse than outside, especially if you don’t have proper ventilation and high-quality air filters.
We mentioned that air filters are a part of the HVAC system, which is responsible for your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Using technology and filtration systems, your HVAC helps environmental comfort within your own home.
Air filters can address different needs and purposes, depending on what you need them for, from odor elimination to allergen reduction.
How Does an Air Filter Work?
You can figure out which air filter works best for you and your family by understanding how air filters work.
Essentially, air circulates throughout your house and passes through an air filter. The specialized material catches microscopic particulate matter like dirt, mold, dust, pollen, pet dander, and allergens as soon as it goes through the filter. The higher quality air filters can even filter out viruses and bacteria.
As contaminants get caught by the filter, it slowly loses efficacy until it is replaced or cleaned, and the air circulation process continues.
Learn More About Dust
Dust comprises many different elements. When you bring it from the outside, you mainly bring in pollen, soil, microscopic organic matter, car pollution, and much more.
What about indoor dust? It’s typically made up of elements within your own home, from your hair, your pet’s dander, carpet fiber, clothing fiber, and more microscopic particles you rarely think about.
Indeed, for an element we can barely see, dust can severely impact the way our house looks and feels, along with our health and wellness.
Do Air Filters Reduce Dust
Air filters are created to clean the air, but do they make a big difference against allergens and dust?
The answer is an unequivocal yes. Air filters don’t just purify the air in your home, especially against dust, but they also protect your HVAC systems.
Custom air filters and air purifiers prevent air particles, dust, and debris from entering your air conditioner and heater elements. After all, one of the primary places where dirt and dust accumulate over time includes the air handler and duct system. Dust tends to build up where it doesn’t belong, and when it comes to machines and air quality, it can create various issues and pollution.
If you want to heat and cool your home efficiently without having to pay more than you should or waste energy, you should routinely replace your air filters.
When HVAC equipment is properly maintained and cleaned of debris and dust, all your systems run more smoothly. If your air filter is dirty, it restricts airflow, which will make the fan motor work harder, which increases your electricity output. To save money on power usage and repairing or replacing machine parts, it’s best to keep your house free of dust by replacing your air filters often.
Keep Dust Out With High-Quality Air Filters
One great way to keep dust levels low in your home is with a quality air filter. You should choose the right air filter for your home, depending on the level of filtration you seek. Filters can help remove fine particulates like dust along with odor.
Dust is a persistent presence in your house and is a daily irritant, especially if your child suffers from allergies. As neverending as the task may seem, it is always in your best interest to fight the appearance of dust in your home.