This Blog was posted by Smithson Valley Services Air Conditioning. We serve the Texas Hill Country, including Blanco | Bulverde | Canyon Lake | Fisher | Kendalia | New Braunfels | North San Antonio | Sattler | Sisterdale | Smithson Valley | Spring Branch | Startzville

AC Services – Repair, Replace

If an HVAC system isn’t working as efficiently as it once was, it may be time to clean or replace the HVAC filters. Cleaning or replacing the filter can improve energy efficiency by as much as 10%, and the HVAC system will provide more power to heat and cool the home. Additionally, HVAC filters are the first line of defense against indoor air pollution.

Filter Types
The type of air filter used by an HVAC system can be determined by examining the owner’s manual, or by consulting the HVAC contractor who installed the system. There are three primary types of air filters:
* Electronic air cleaners are usually cleaned and replaced twice yearly, although extremely dusty environments may warrant additional cleaning. These systems are seldom used as stand-alone systems, and their efficiency can vary depending on how clean the filter is.
* Gas phase absorption filters use carbon to absorb small particles and odors from the air. These filters are inefficient at removing particulate matter, so they are usually restricted to medical laboratories, computer manufacturing plants, or other settings. More on this webpage
* Mechanical air filters are what most households have. These filters are often readily available and easy to change, and they are rated using the merv scale. A higher merv rating means that the filter can filter out smaller particles, thus leaving the air cleaner. Analyzing needs of disposable filters common in most homes are rated merv 1-4. These filters can remove pollen, paint dust, dust mites, and textile fibers, but they cannot effectively remove smaller particles. Filters rated merv 7 can remove hair spray and cement dust, but only filters with a merv rating of 8 or higher can remove mold spores. For this reason, people who live in areas where mold is common may wish to consider filters that are more expensive and have a higher merv rating. People who live in industrial areas may wish to upgrade to a filter with a rating of merv 10, as these filters will eliminate industrial particles like coal dust and auto emissions. Families in older houses, especially those with small children, may opt for a filter rated merv 11 or higher to filter lead dust from the home. Hepa filters are normally rated merv 14 or higher, and most will filter the mucus spread into the air with sneezing. Only filters rated merv 16 (the highest rating) will remove bacteria and tobacco smoke from the household air. If a household contains premature infants or immuno-compromised individuals, they may wish to consider a higher merv rating.

Maintenance and Replacement
Most mechanical HVAC filters should be replaced every 1-3 months, depending on the environment and the efficiency. Some filters are designed to be washed instead of replaced. These electrostatic filters come in various merv ratings, styles, and efficiency levels. Electrostatic filters rely on an electrical charge to attract contaminants; this charge is a static charge inherent in the construction materials. These should be vacuumed and cleaned with warm water and a mild detergent once a month, although precise cleaning schedules and detergent recommendations can vary depending on the manufacturer. Replacing a standard mechanical filter is as easy as turning a thumbscrew or accessing the filter compartment. Once the compartment is accessed, the homeowner can remove the old filter and replace it with a new one. It is useful to keep a garbage bag handy for quick disposal and wear a dust mask, as some filters can release dust into the air when removed from the unit. For cleaning instructions for electrostatic filters, the homeowner should consult the filter manufacturer. Choosing the right filter when selecting the right filter for an HVAC system, the homeowner must take into account several factors. In addition to the merv rating, a homeowner must consider the reduction in airflow. Higher merv ratings generally reduce the airflow more, but this is not always true. Some filters have higher merv ratings and do not limit the airflow as much, but these filters are often more costly and are only available from specialty retailers or on the internet. The HVAC filters readily available in supermarkets and discount stores tend to have lower merv ratings. However, some people may be able to find filters labeled as HEPA filters in their local supermarket. According to the u. S. Environmental Protection Agency, filters labeled HEPA filters often have a merv rating of 14 to 16. Still, true HEPA filters with a merv value between 17 and 20 are not normally installed in residential HVAC systems. Installing a true HEPA filter (merv value 17-20) usually requires professional modification of the HVAC system. Most residential units cannot accommodate HEPA filters because of how significantly they can reduce airflow. For airflow reduction for older or less powerful HVAC models, the higher efficiency filters may not be able to be installed due to the reduction in airflow. An HVAC contractor may be able to modify an existing system to accommodate a higher-efficiency air filter by expanding the ducts and increasing the power. Still, some specifically designed high-performance HVAC systems can accommodate the higher efficiency filters with few problems. Having a high-performance HVAC system installed in an older home, however, may be infeasible as the ductwork will need to be expanded. As the airflow decreases with higher-efficiency air filters, the noise associated with the HVAC unit may also increase. The HVAC fan tends to get louder as the airflow through the filter is further reduced, which can present a nuisance for many residential systems. The increased noise pollution must be balanced with the reduction in air pollution. Making the choice, there is no perfect solution for HVAC filters. Filters with higher efficiency can stifle airflow, create noise, cost more, and be more difficult to obtain, but filters with lower efficiency may not effectively filter out smaller particles. Air quality cannot be effectively improved by using better HVAC filters alone. A high-quality vacuum cleaner with good filtration used frequently can also help to improve air quality. These various factors should be used together to keep the indoor air clean, safe, and breathable.

Find more interesting HVAC information on these Google links:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qbci59tiA08TnTQrc12zkrxeHPBvW1AP1Ae2YzwFrMs/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JTHDhklbJ18LrFUdjif3cOg75_pkuCNEN9nCTUrzr7s/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vRCr7f2LrE9nPU0Q0eHROKftESTSQ2VH-R99FW_U5nY/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PfVYFCX0MWEVJTU00JHnMnZueeh3xZJYxOxo9HgWPFU/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16ujcB-rvy_-6ImzDh-Y28cVHkQELet2Qs0QfeKMhlvA/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zUuYzHeaYKKkW8wBVecLywBHnPLfThmezyk_1wJb-nE/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xsqPcbl7B4zkRO6zA1uECQMbI-UX8T1avmQ1Z73JRhU/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U5treI0N_cv2acUPcy-qvBnn8wGbLe2ky06SVEmjhkA/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kKH0ygPl7ACrl7ElTK-P3HvJhI8CkCsOBcNC_QXiEZs/edit