Homeowners typically use standard HVAC air filters. These are often enough to maintain the indoor air quality in an average home. However, if you are considering an upgrade, electrostatic air filters are a good option.
Read on as American Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning Co., Inc. explains how these air filters work and their pros and cons.
How Do They Work?
Most air filters are equipped with pleated sheets of fiber, which passively catch dust, dirt, and other particles that get through the HVAC system’s air handler. HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are another passive air filter that can capture microbes and other smaller particles.
On the other hand, electrostatic air filters feature a multi-step filtration process. It has an outer pre-filter similar to a standard air filter that captures relatively large particles. The particles that pass through the pre-filter are given a positive charge when they pass through the ionizing layer. The negatively charged material attracts and captures the positively charged particles. The escaped particles get captured by a second air filter before the air is released into the air ducts.
Pros
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Superb Air Filtration. These filters are great for filtering air through your system, which makes them more capable of improving air quality than pleated filters.
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Cost-Effectiveness. Most electrostatic air filters are washable, reducing the need to buy new air filters.
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Convenience. Typically, buy filters every three months and find the right size for your HVAC system. But with electrostatic air filters, you can save time because they come in standard sizes.
Cons
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More Frequent Maintenance. To maintain efficiency, electrostatic air filters need to be cleaned more frequently. This means you’ll have to stick to a regular cooling and heating service maintenance routine to avoid airflow problems.
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Increased Ozone Concentration. Electrostatic air filters do not offer protection against ozone. They even tend to produce these hazardous molecules, which can aggravate respiratory diseases.
If you’re still unsure whether electrostatic air filters are for you, American Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning Co., Inc. can help. Whether you need a heating or air conditioning service, we have the expertise to help you keep your unit in tip-top condition. To schedule a consultation, call us at (662) 895-7204 or fill out our contact form.
