Don't Choose Cheap Air Conditioning Filters!

Air conditioning filters seem so simple. After all, how tricky can it be to stop airborne particles from entering your heating and cooling system? Actually, nearly all contaminants found in the air are smaller than 1 micron in size and that makes trapping them in a filter very difficult! Just because you can't see them doesn't mean airborne contaminants aren't there!

The cheapest filters you can buy are generally made of fiberglass. In reality, these filters accomplish little and are a waste of money. Only the largest particles, those which are visible to the naked eye are trapped by these inexpensive filters. The other 99% pass right through.

Pleated filters are a reasonably priced alternative, but even these filters offer a large range of effectiveness. Filters are labeled with MERV ratings, which allow you to evaluate their capabilities. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter. And, in general, the thicker the pleated filter, the better.

The last consideration for air filters is their impact on air flow. Heating and cooling systems require healthy air flow to operate properly. A filter that significantly impedes air flow can damage the mechanical components of a heating and cooling system. Pleated filters offer great effectiveness without reducing air flow.

For more information about air filters or air conditioning maintenance call the professionals at Tom's Mechanical.