Can Some Types of HVAC Filters Damage Your System?

The air filter prevents particles like dust from ruining the interior components of your heating and cooling system — but only if you put in the right one. The wrong filter will damage the very system it's supposed to protect. Astonishing, isn't it? If you don't want to have an air filter damage your HVAC system, you'll need to avoid these two types of filters:

Wrong High-Efficiency Filter

MERV, or the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, expresses how well a filter traps small airborne particles. A higher MERV number represents greater effectiveness at catching small particles.

To improve indoor air quality, some homeowners buy the most powerful HVAC filter they can get. Getting a good filter isn't about buying the highest-efficiency model you can afford. A filter with a higher MERV rating has a tighter weave on it than one with a lower rating. Consequently, the higher-efficiency filter places more resistance against airflow.

Your HVAC system may not have the capacity to accommodate filters with a MERV rating above 12, which could put you at risk for filter damage. The airflow blockage by a high-efficiency filter increases the air pressure in your HVAC system. That could damage your ductwork and even your furnace or air conditioner.

Take care to not replace your filter with a high-efficiency model that your HVAC system can't handle. If you really want clean air, you could install an air cleaner in your ducts. Air cleaners capture small airborne particles without restricting airflow.

Dirty Filter

An air filter will accumulate excessive dirt if you leave it in the return duct for very long. A clogged filter slows down airflow through your HVAC system. With a clogged filter, the system works harder to keep your house warm or cool, which could accelerate wear and tear and increase the need for HVAC repairs.

Check your air filter every month and replace it if it looks dirty.

Always ensure you have an air filter that does its filtration job without causing filter damage that harms your HVAC system. If you need more information on avoiding air filter damage, contact us at Air Assurance. We offer a variety of heating, cooling, and air-quality products to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area.

Air Filters: The More You Know About Them, the More You'll Get Out of Them

Air Filters: The More You Know About Them, the More You'll Get Out of Them

You're probably already aware that replacing your air filter should be part of your routine air-conditioner maintenance. But it can pay to know more about this essential component of your cooling system. Actually, the more you know about air filters, the more you'll get out of them -- in terms of peak efficiency and home comfort. Here are some facts about air filters:

• MERV ratings: All air filters have minimum efficiency reporting values. This value is a reflection of a filter's ability to remove particulates such as dander, dust and smoke from the air stream. A MERV 1 filter is the least effective, and a MERV 16 is the most effective. A MERV 9 to 12 filter is generally recommended for homeowners who want highly effective dust control. If you decide to go with one of these filters, make sure you check it monthly. Because a filter in this range is denser than a filter with a lower MERV rating, it can get clogged more easily and restrict airflow, which can ultimately cause damage to your air conditioner. If you have any doubt about the type of filter you should be using, get in touch with your HVAC professional. There is no real Standard testing procedure that regulates how MERV ratings are established, so it's best to consult your HVAC professional first.

• Whether to clean or replace: Some types of air filters are meant to be disposable. These filters should not be cleaned and reused. Check this type of filter every month, and change it when it looks dirty. Some filters, however, can be cleaned. A washable filter should be checked frequently and cleaned as often as every few weeks. Make sure it's thoroughly dry before you return it to the air conditioner. If you're wondering whether your filter is the disposable or washable type, check your owner's manual or contact your HVAC-system professional.

• NOTE: Filters can be rated high on the MERV scale, but low in the ability to let air pass through easily. This causes restrictions making the system less efficient with lower air flow, and could cause harm to your system. Air Assurance carries Clean-Climate filters which are made to Air Assurance specifications and have been tested for both MERV and Static Pressure, giving you the best of both worlds.

• HEPA filtration. High efficiency particulate air filtration is the top-of-the-line option in particulate removal and is widely used in hospitals, where it's important to have air that's as free of organic pollutants as much as possible. But these filters are extremely dense and not appropriate for many cooling systems. If air quality is a special concern in your home, and you're serious about HEPA filtration, consider a whole-house air purifier.

If you have any questions about air filters, don't hesitate to contact Air Assurance. We can help you find the filter that's best suited to your system. And we can help you with all your other home-comfort needs, as well. We serve homeowners in Broken Arrow and greater Tulsa.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Looking For An Air Filter? Knowing MERV Will Help

If you’re looking for the right air filter, understanding MERV can be to your advantage. MERV is a rating given to air filters based on their minimum efficiency reporting value; in other words, it's a rating of their capacity to efficiently remove airborne particulates down to 0.3 microns. This value can range from 1 to 20, with higher MERV ratings indicating a higher-efficiency air filter.With regards to shopping for air filters, MERV can be broken down as follows:

• For use in residential settings, air filters with a MERV between 1 and 4 are often lower-quality, disposable filters.

• A MERV between 5 and 8 would represent a better variety of residential air filter.

• A MERV between 9 and 12 might be found in superior residential settings or commercial buildings.

• In hospital settings and superior commercial settings, air filters will likely carry a MERV between 13 and 16.

• Capable of removing 99.97 percent of airborne particulates down to 0.3 microns, True HEPA filters carry a MERV between 17 and 20 and are used in applications such as laboratory clean rooms and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

What's surprising is that there is really no mandate set on how a MERV rating is performed.  Therefore, it's highly likely that MERV ratings on a filter may be tested at levels that don't work with the amount of air your comfort system produces.  In other words, a higher MERV rating could be a marketing ploy, and actually damage your system or it's performance.When choosing an air filter, you have to take the specifics of your system into account. Filters may not fit your system, or in some cases may be entirely too powerful for practical use in your home. With those things in mind, MERV should be used as one reference point for filter comparison, but not as the sole reason for your filter decision.That's why Air Assurance has tested all of the filters we offer to our customers with the air flo commonly used by the comfort systems we service and install.  To ensure that the air filters you choose are the most efficient and system-appropriate available today, let our trained technicians guide you through the process. For expert consultation, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, today!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.