Tish's Intown Real Estate Blog

The filter is the only barrier between you and the air coming into your HVAC unit. There is a separate filter for heating and air.

Most filters are easily accessible in an area either close to the main unit or near one of the registers. Simply open the panel door and pull out the old filter, using both hands and replacing it with a new one. Replace filters At Least twice a year, this will ensure that the air in your home is as clean as it can be.

When picking out a filter, make sure it is sturdy enough to stand up to the pressure of the air flowing through it and that the frame is intact and the joints are secure. A filter that collapses during use can cause significant damage to your furnace. You also want to check the filter's pressure drop measurement; in general, the lower the pressure drop number, the better the airflow.

Be sure to purchase the right size and type of filter to match your furnace. Consult the user's manual for manufacturer recommended specifications. You can also take the old filter with you to ensure you get an exact fit.

The filter should fit snuggly in the chamber; loose filters let air pass around instead of through

Check your filter every 3-4 weeks to see if it needs cleaning or replacing.

Ideally, your filter should be replaced every 3 months or at the times recommended by the manufacturer

If your or a member of your household has allergies, asthma or any other respiratory problems, your filter will need to be replaced more frequently

To help you remember, write the date of the last replacement on the filter so you’ll know when it’s time for it to be replaced

Higher filtration units may decrease airflow and in turn, force your furnace to work harder. This, of course, will increase energy costs

I hope I haven’t lost you yet! There is a lot of information to process but it will all pay off for you in the long run. The following are the different types of filters typically sold in most stores, as well as some general information on effectiveness and function:

MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings give you an indication of the effectiveness of various filters. The American Lung Association recommends a MERV rating of 10 or higher for in-home use.

Filters are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, polyester, foam, cloth, wood fill, hair, synthetics and more for a wide range of options.

Filters remove a wide variety of airborne particles ranging from 0.3 microns up to 100 microns, including harmful allergens, dust, lint, pet dander, mold spores and more.

There are many types of filters available so if you’re not sure what type of filter you need, take the old filter with you to the store to ensure you get an exact fit. The following are many of the types of filters available and what type of protection they offer from air contaminants. Keep this in mind when
deciding what type of filter is best for your household’s needs:

Fiberglass or Polyester Filters: These cost-effective, disposable filters have a cardboard frame and are made with fiberglass or polyester material. They offer inexpensive filtration that captures large particles such as lint and dust.

Washable/Reusable Filters: Washable filters are designed to be cleaned as needed and replaced only every couple of years, so you get more use out of them. They protect the motor of your furnace and trap larger particles.

Pleated Filters: Pleated filters have a unique design that offers a larger surface area to capture a range of airborne particles. These types of filters offer excellent filtration and generally remove more impurities from the air.

Electrostatic Filters: This type of filter can be disposable or reusable and uses electrically charged fibers to capture small and large particles. These filters have been known to help allergy sufferers.

HEPA Filters: HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters capture 99.97% of particles measuring as small as 0.3 microns. They are made from glass particles and have a large pleated surface area. They are often used in military, industrial and scientific applications and in portable and central air systems in homes. These filters are very helpful to people with allergies. Before purchasing a HEPA filter, be sure to check compatibility with your furnace.

HEPA-Type Filters: HEPA-type filters have a wide range of effectiveness, removing anywhere from 25% - 95% of particles from the air. Like true HEPA filters, HEPA-type filters have a large surface area to capture airborne irritants and provide a measure of relief for allergy sufferers.

I hope this information is informative and please feel free to contact
me with any questions or comments.

Here is what Steve & Lana Ruppert had to say about their home buying experience:

"We were relocating from Colorado and really had only two days to find a house! The area we were looking at was unfamiliar to Tish but she really worked hard at researching and finding something that would fit our needs. Working with Tish was a spectacular experience! She was prompt and professional and went out of her way to work with us as well as our local realtor, relocation and mortgage companies. She answered all of our questions and even sent our daughter, whom she’s never met, a beautiful gift for her new baby! Everyone loved her, she was truly the key to making our move successful, especially from across the country!! We truly couldn’t have asked for better!"  Steve & Lana Ruppert, Fayetteville