Home air filters are one of the most important, but often overlooked, factors in maintaining the clean, comfortable environment. They can help to remove pollutants, allergens, and other irritants from the air in your home. If someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, then air filters can make a significant impact in their quality of life and home heating.

Poor air quality can cause aesthetic problems as well. Furniture and knickknacks may become covered in a film of dust. Walls and fabrics may become discolored. In extreme situations, such as living near a beach or construction site, you find a coating of sand or dirt on food and bedding. A high quality air filter can help you to keep your home clean, comfortable, and enjoyable.

Traditional Home Air Filters

Home air filters are quite simple for something with such an important function. As air passes through the filter, dust and sand, pollutants, pollens, hair, dander and other allergens, and many other substances are trapped by the filter. Air filters keep these harmful things from entering the air in your home and being breathed in. They provide safe, healthy, clean air for your family to breathe and eliminate many of the irritants that lead to dry itchy eyes, dry skin, and irritated noses and throats.

Traditional air filters are made up of a material with tiny holes. As air travels through the filter, the unwanted particles that are larger than the holes are trapped, and the air that gets through is cleaner. Unfortunately, many pollens and other harmful particles are so small that traditional air filters cannot trap them. In order to block those, the openings would have to be so small that the air would not be able to pass through efficiently.

Electrostatic Filtration

Thankfully, technology has provided us with a newer type of air filter that can help. Electrostatic filtration can eliminate many of the small particles that have long defeated more traditional filters. Air enters the first layer of the filter. As they pass through, the harmful particles pick up an electric charge from the outer layer. They then pass through a second level, which has the opposite charge. The harmful substances are attracted and trapped by this second layer and only clean air succeeds in passing through.

There are two main types of electrostatic air filters. Static air filters are less expensive, but also less effective. While a static filter is adequate for most homes, you can convert to the magnetic versions if you need better filtration. Magnetic filters are more permanent. With proper cleaning, they can last for many years without being replaced. Static filters can last for several years but will not last as long as magnetic ones.

Home Air Filter Maintenance

Home air filters, either static or magnetic, should be cleaned at least four times a year. If you live near a highway, beach, or construction site you will need to clean it more often. Homes with multiple pets, people who have severe allergies, and other situations might also require more frequent cleaning.

As a filter gets dirty and clogged, several things happen. It becomes harder for air to move through the filter. Not only does this make the motor work harder, wasting energy, but it can stress the motor and lead to damage or failure. In addition, a dirty filter won’t be as effective in removing contaminants.

If you find that your quarterly cleaning is insufficient, clean it more often. A clean filter is essential in keeping the air quality in your home high. If, even after cleaning, the filter is dirty or discolored, or you discover signs of damage, then it is time to replace the filter. Most air filters are easy to replace, only requiring basic tools. Static filters are fairly inexpensive. Magnetic filters may cost a bit more but will have to be replaced less often.

Every home should be filled with fresh, clean, healthy air. Air filters help to achieve this by eliminating most of the unwanted particles often found in untreated air. Faithful cleaning and inspection of your filters will help to make sure that your home environment is wholesome and safe.

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