Do You Know All the Different Types of HVAC Air Filters?

Quick Tips on the Types of HVAC Air Filters

 Hopefully you know enough about your home furnace and HVAC  system to know that you need to regularly change the air filters. When you head to the store to purchase a filter you're faced with a large wall of a variety options. In order to pick the best one for your needs here is an overview of the different types of filters.

What is the filter rating system?

One of the first things you will see on the filter is a rating system. Different companies have different rating and number systems. The numbers typically tell you the amount of particles and pollutants that can be captured in the filter. The higher the number the larger the amount of particles the particular filter will collect.

Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV)

The MERV rating has been established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning engineers. It rates the filter’s ability to capture and hold particles and pollutants. For residential filters the numbers range from 1 to 12. With the higher number referring to the higher amount of particles collected.

Microparticle Performance Rating (MPR)

This system has been developed by the 3M Company and is solely used in 3M products. The amount of microparticles that the filter captures is what determines the rating. The numbers range from 300 to 2800 with the higher number meaning more particles captured.

Filter performance rating (FPR)

 This system utilizes the color code and a number scale ranging from 4 to 10 which is similar to the MERV rating. The FPR system has been developed and is only used by The Home Depot.

What are the three basic types of filters available?

Washable air filter

At first the washable filter may seem like a budget friendly and environmentally friendly option, however they are not highly recommended. Washable filters have very low ratings and do not trap as many particles as they're disposable counterparts. They require regular maintenance via washing and must be thoroughly dried prior to reusing so as not to spread mold into your home. Washable filters are not recommended for homes that have anybody with allergies in them.

Fiberglass air filter

Fiberglass filters are the least expensive option. They do have the ability to track a larger air particles however do not capture smaller allergens and pollutants very well. The MERV rating is typically only between one and four. If you have a fiberglass air filter the air quality in your home will not be improved. They also tend to need replacement more often.

Polyester and pleated air filters

These are the most commonly use filters and the most recommended. There are MERV rating is from 8 to 13 which is much higher than washable and fiberglass filters. Polyester and pleated filters are highly effective in trapping and holding a variety of particles pollutants and allergens from your home. These types of filters are available in most stores and come in a variety of options that can help even the most severe allergy sufferer.

Keep this guide in mind the next time you head to the store for a filter replacement. Purchasing the proper filter for you and your family will make all the difference in the air-quality in your home. If you have any questions about air-quality or filters for your specific HVAC system call the experts at Air Expo for all of your maintenance needs.

Call Us:  973-283-0300

Do You Have Locking Refrigerant Caps?

Why are locking refrigerant caps important?

As a homeowner you take safety precautions daily.  You don't run your dryer while you're away from the house, do have fire alarms and Carbon monoxide detectors and you keep your doors locked at night. However there is another issue that you should pay attention to. Your HVAC unit could be a potential health hazard. Did you know that the refrigerant or coolant material in your unit could be siphoned out by those wanting to partake in “huffing” of this harmful chemical?  There is only one way to prevent your unit from being abused and that is by having locking refrigerant caps installed.

What is refrigerant?

Refrigerant is it harmful substance that can cause death without warning if ingested. It is considered a poison and only licensed individuals are legally authorized to handle it. Unfortunately it is getting into the wrong hands and children and adults alike are huffing this harmful gas as a quick drug fix.

How can I prevent theft of my refrigerant?

The simplest and cheapest way to prevent your refrigerant from being stolen and to potentially cause harm or even death, is to install locking refrigerant caps. These caps are placed over the ports to the refrigerant on your exterior HVAC unit and can only be accessed with special equipment, making it difficult for anyone else to gain access.  In 2009 it has become a law in many areas to have refrigerant caps and no home will pass inspection without them.  

Go outside right now and check your unit to see if there are brightly colored red, green or silver caps on the refrigerant valves.   If your unit is without these locking caps, call Air Expo today to have them installed immediately. You will be doing yourself a huge favor as well as keeping refrigerant out of the wrong hands.  

Call 973-283-0300 or visit our website at www.AirExpoNJ.com

Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning

What are the benefits of ductless air conditioning?

A ductless air conditioner, also referred to as mini-split or a ductless split system, is made up of two pieces: the compressor unit which is installed outside the home on a concrete slab and an indoor unit which contains a fan. The fan is installed near the ceiling on an exterior wall in the area you want cooled. While you may have heard of ductless air conditioners, you may not know the benefits of installing one.

Benefits of Ductless A/C

1. Flexibility: With traditional central air conditioning, air is forced through all of your ducts. With a ductless system, the cooled air is delivered directly to the areas you want cooled. They are easy to install, and can be placed in new additions to your home, in apartments or condos to replace a window unit, or to improve the temperature in specific rooms of your home (such as ones that receive a great deal of sunlight and are always hot).
2. Cost savings: One of the main reasons homeowners switch to a ductless air condition is the savings. As the heat increases outside, you need your AC more and more; energy bills keep going up. Traditional central air is inefficient; a ductless system uses less energy to run and they deliver the cool air directly to the room you want cooled, so they are much more efficient. You no longer have to cool unoccupied rooms.
3. Better air quality: A ductless system also improves the air in your home. You’ll breathe better, and easier. A traditional central air system leaves dust and allergens in the air; with a ductless system, you get multi-stage filtration. This reduces allergens, dust and other particles in the air.
4. Easy to install: Installation is a breeze, especially compared to a traditional central air system. Depending upon the number of units you need, you can be up and running in a day, compared to weeks with a traditional HVAC unit. Ductless systems run on pipes that just need a three-inch hole. You won’t have to tear down and rebuild walls around any ducts or lose any square footage in your home.
5. Smaller carbon footprint: Because the ductless system is so energy efficient, you are lowering your carbon footprint, which is great for the planet. These systems also reduce the negative effects on the environment because they use R410A to cool your home; this refrigerant causes ‘zero ozone depletion’, which means it has less of an impact on the environment than traditional systems do.

Ductless air conditions offer you a number of benefits, from saving you money on your electric bill to reducing your carbon footprint. Stay comfortable by cooling just the zones you want, rather than your entire house. Consider installing a ductless system today!