Air Filters: My Advice For Getting The Best

If you have any form of air purification system installed in your house or office,

you will have to change the air filters at some time or another. I am not only

talking about dedicated equipment that only purifies the air here, but also air

conditioning units such as you would find at home, in the office or even in the car.

The principle is the same for all.

So, you may be operating an air purifier without even realizing it, but in that

situation, especially if it is an older one, it could be doing you more harm than

good. This is because a dirty filter will be blowing uncleaned air into the room at

best, but in the worst case scenario, it might even be blowing contaminated air at

you. Modern air filters do not only stop flies or even pollen from entering the

system through the air intake, they go as far as attempting to obstruct common germs

too.

So, you have two options. If you have never replaced or cleaned your air filter or if

you did not even know you had one and the air conditioner or air purifying apparatus

is over a year old, you should do something about it right away. Start by reading the

instruction manual. If you do not have one go on line and look to see if there is any

information on your model at the maker's website or even just anywhere on the

Internet. If on the other hand, you have been cleaning and replacing your filter

methodically, consider getting a better quality filter next time.

You can go about finding the best brands of air filters for your particular type of

unit by writing down any serial numbers and identification numbers and names. The

brand and model are very handy too. You have two choices here too. If you like going

around the shops, take this information with you and ask about the best filters in

several stores A large DIY or department store could probably assist here. Write

every name and detail they give you down on paper and take it home. I prefer to go on

the Internet first and take that information around the shops.

Check everything they have told you on the Internet. Check it with the manufacturer's

web site and compare prices. Decide what you want to buy and where from. Get a year's

supply in one go, it saves a lot of bother. Three or four units should last a year,

if they are cleanable.

A high quality air filter will perform better than a cheaper one. It will trap more

pollutants, including smoke and fumes – even some microorganisms, if it has been

impregnated with a germicide. Many come with a long-lasting mild air freshener too,

which will save you buying sprays.

Better quality air filters will save you money and bother by lasting longer in good

serviceable condition. Cheaper ones may say they last as long, but the germicide and

the air freshener may have evaporated within a week or two. Try to get a filter that

is cleanable. The best ones can be cleaned two of three times before they have to be

changed. If it is three times then it will last four months, meaning that you only

need three a year at most.

If you have purchased an unknown make of air conditioner or purifier, there is a good

chance that it was still made by one of the big names or it a copy of a famous name,

in which case a better filter may still fit into it. In this situation, take your old

filter to the shop with you to get it compared.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently

involved with central air conditioning systems. If you are interested in Home Air

Conditioning Systems, please click through to our site.