The weather in Minnetonka and Edina, Minnesota can be fickle. A comfortable fall evening, for instance, can quickly turn into a cold, snowy morning. Meanwhile, summertime can bring temperatures in excess of 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or multiple days of rainfall and cooler weather. For this reason, homeowners are happy to have an HVAC system that functions efficiently. When a problem with their HVAC systems arises, residents in these cities call upon a heating and cooling contractor they can trust.
Many factors impact heating and cooling efficiency, and air filters often top the list. Among other things, air filters keep indoor air quality at acceptable levels while minimizing energy consumption.
Why Air Filters Have Such a Big Impact on Heating and Cooling Efficiency
To better appreciate the need to regularly change the air filter in your unit, it is essential to first understand how air filters work. As air passes through your home’s HVAC system, dust and debris get trapped in the filter. The longer the filter stays on, the more particles it will catch.
In time, the filter will have collected so much dust that it will be harder than usual for the HVAC system to push air through the filter. Consequently, your equipment will be forced to work harder and for longer stretches as it cycles heated or cooled air throughout your home. HVAC system subsequently suffers faster wear and tear and a dramatic reduction in its efficiency.
Choosing the Right Type of Air Filter
Filters are assigned a minimum efficient reporting value (MERV) rating that indicates how effectively they can capture airborne particles. Filters with higher MERV ratings are typically made of denser materials. While denser filters are better at removing particles from the air, they can also create pressure drops by making it harder for air to flow through your HVAC.
The trick to finding the right filter for your home’s heating and cooling system is to find one that balances efficiency with effectiveness. The goal is to find a filter that can trap particles from the air, but at the same time is not so dense that it leads to pressure drops. Speaking to a heating and cooling professional such as Air Quality Services is a great way to find out what filter is right for your HVAC unit.
Please call us at 952-928-3838 to answer any questions or to have us review your HVAC system’s efficiency and performance.
Source:
How Air Purifiers Work, HowStuffWorks