Air filters are small devices that trap and remove airborne particles from the air in your home or other indoor environment. These tiny particles can be made of dust, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, or any number of other substances. These substances can be harmful to your health if they’re present in high enough quantities, so air filters are designed to trap them and prevent them from entering your lungs.Air filters are essential to maintaining a healthy indoor environment because they prevent harmful microorganisms and other contaminants from entering your home through the air ducts. Unfortunately, the air in your home is typically two to five times more polluted than the air outside, so even if you maintain a clean outdoor environment, indoor air quality can still be problematic if proper precautions aren’t taken.

What are the types of air filters?

There are two types of air filters: mechanical and electronic.Mechanical filters consist of a layer of material, such as fiberglass, that traps dust and other contaminants as they pass through the filter. The most common type of mechanical filter is a HVAC filter, which is designed to trap dust and other contaminants as they pass through the HVAC unit, preventing them from being distributed throughout your home.Electronic air filters are often called “HEPA” filters, which stands for High-Efficiency Particle Arrestors. These filters typically consist of a layer of copper mesh that traps and removes microscopic organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, from the air.HEPA filters are one of the most effective types of air filters available, and they’re often used in hospitals, research facilities, and other high-risk environments where the air must be sterile.

How do air filters work?

Air filters trap contaminants in the same way that a vacuum cleaner traps dust. The filter consists of a layer of material, such as fiberglass, that traps dust and other contaminants as they pass through the filter. The most common type of mechanical filter is a HVAC filter, which is designed to trap dust and other contaminants as they pass through the HVAC unit, preventing them from being distributed throughout your home.Electronic air filters are often called “HEPA” filters, which are designed to trap and remove microscopic organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, from the air.HEPA filters are one of the most effective types of air filters available, and they’re often used in hospitals, research facilities, and other high-risk environments where the air must be sterile.Air filters trap contaminants in the same way that a vacuum cleaner traps dust. The filter consists of a layer of material, such as fiberglass, that traps dust and other contaminants as they pass through the filter.

Why are air filters important?

Air filters are important because they trap harmful contaminants, such as dust, pollen, and mold spores, in the home. These contaminants can irritate your eyes and lungs, cause allergies, and generally make your home feel unclean and unpleasant.Air filters trap these contaminants and prevent them from entering your lungs. This is especially important for people with allergies or asthma, who must breathe clean air in order to avoid becoming ill.

How to choose the right air filter?

There are many factors to consider when choosing an air filter, including the type of filter you need, the size of your home, and your budget.First of all, you need to consider which type of filter will be most effective for your home. There are three main types of filters: mechanical, electronic, and hybrid.Mechanical filters are inexpensive and easy to replace. They are effective at trapping dust and other common contaminants found in the air.Electronic filters are more expensive but can be reused multiple times. They trap microscopic organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, and are often used in high-risk environments, such as hospitals and research facilities.Hybrid filters are a combination of mechanical and electronic filters that are designed to trap both dust and microorganisms.Hybrid filters are a good choice for people who wish to trap both dust and microorganisms in their home. They are more expensive than mechanical filters but are reusable and effective at removing dust and other common contaminants.

Conclusion

Air filters are essential for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. They trap and remove contaminants, such as dust, pollen, and mold spores, from the air, preventing them from entering your lungs. There are two main types of air filters: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical filters are inexpensive and easy to replace, while electronic filters are more expensive but can be reused multiple times. A hybrid filter is a combination of mechanical and electronic filters that are designed to trap both dust and microorganisms.There are many factors to consider when choosing an air filter, including the type of filter you need, the size of your home, and your budget.

Frequently Asked Question

You should change your air filters every 90 days. However, if you have allergies, you better change them after 45 days. It also depends on the MERV rating of the filters you are using. On average, it is highly recommended to change your air filters every 90 days. 
Yes, it does. There are many types of air filters and their performance is based on their material and most of the time their MERV rating. Choosing the best one will make a huge impact on how long your HVAC system will last.
HVAC air filters have different variations depending on their quality and sizes. Most HVAC manufacturers would recommend buying a new air filter that is compatible with HVAC. These air filters have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV which will tell you their overall performance in filtering contaminants in the air.
Most likely it will not filter the air properly. Dust will accumulate on your filter thus affecting some parts of your Air Conditioning unit. Aside from not being able to work properly in filtering the air, it will damage the system of your AC, because the airflow is affected.