According to experts, air filters are one of the most important parts of your HVAC unit. After all, without an air filter, the air quality of your home can be reduced by a significant amount, your home will lose energy efficiency and the lifespan of your unit may be shortened. As such, it’s highly recommended that you pick the right one for your heating and cooling system.
You actually have two choices on the kind of air filter you can install in your home: reusable or disposable. To better decide which of the two you should pick, it’s best to learn everything you can about both types. In this article, the residential and commercial HVAC pros of Air Comfort discuss everything you need to know about both washable and disposable air filters.
Reusable HVAC Filters
It can be annoying having to run to the hardware store every few months to get a new filter for your marine HVAC unit. As such, it’s understandable why some property owners opt for reusable filters. In fact, there are a few benefits to using washable air filters for your unit. According to experts, using reusable filters allows homeowners to reduce the amount of air filters that you toss out each year. This means that with reusable filters, you can do your part in reducing the amount of trash that ends up in landfills.
In addition to being eco-friendly, reusable air filters can also help homeowners such as yourself save a significant amount of money in the long run. This is because while reusable air filters may cost a bit more than the standard, disposable ones, the fact that you don’t have to replace the filter with a new one every month or three can already help your savings stack up.
Finally, if your HVAC unit has a rare air filter size like 12x30x1 inch, it might be hard to find a disposable filter that fits. Luckily, this is where reusable air filters come in, as you’re more likely to find custom reusable air filters that can meet your system’s requirements. For assistance in installing a reusable air filter on your HVAC unit, don’t hesitate to turn to Air Comfort to get the job done right.
Unfortunately, like every fixture in your home, washable filters do come with their own set of disadvantages. For instance, if you reinstall a reusable air filter on the unit before it’s completely dry, you can potentially attract mold to your unit, compromising your home’s overall air quality in the process. Maintaining a reusable air filter can also be time consuming, which is a problem for busy homeowners.
In terms of energy efficiency, on the other hand, reusable air filters are said to pale in comparison to disposable filters. In fact, air conditioner service experts say that they don’t do much against pet dander, smoke, hairspray and other air contaminants, as they aren’t conventional HEPA-grade filters and also rank low on the MERV chart. This means that when it comes to improving air quality, reusable filters don’t do much compared to disposable filters.
Disposable HVAC Filters
Like reusable air filters, disposable filters come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. For instance, disposable air filters cost significantly less compared to their reusable counterpart. In addition, replacing a disposable filter every three months is relatively easy, as you simply need to remove it and put a new one in its place. In fact, you don’t even need to do it yourself, as you can always hire a professional to do the job for you instead.
According to air conditioner service professionals, time isn’t the only thing you can save with disposable air filters: you can also improve your monetary savings every month with disposable air filters. This is because disposable HVAC filters are said to be far more energy efficient than the washable ones, as some disposable filters have MERV ratings that range from 4 to 12. This MERV rating means that it can capture up to 95% of the airborne contaminants around your house, greatly improving air quality and enabling you to create a healthier home environment for yourself and your family.
Similar to reusable air filters, however, disposable HVAC filters also have their own drawbacks. If you opt to use disposable filters on your HVAC unit, you might not be able to save as much as you expected to. This is because, unlike reusable filters, you’ll have to go to your local hardware store every one to three months to purchase a new filter for the unit, meaning that your filter expenses can stack up in the long run.
Which Filter Should You Opt For?
With the advantages and disadvantages you’ve seen, it’s understandable if choosing between the two is a bit difficult for homeowners like you. However, when trying to make a decision, you can make things easier on yourself by choosing one that offers you convenience and allows you to save time and money. If your goal is to save money and make your home eco-friendly, and you don’t mind waiting every now and then, then you’re more than free to use reusable filters. However, if you don’t have time to wait and you want long-term savings via energy efficiency, then consider using disposable filters on your HVAC unit instead. Regardless of your choice, keep in mind that installing an HVAC filter can be a delicate process, and with that in mind you should enlist the services of a professional to do it for you instead of attempting a DIY project.
If you need someone who can help you maintain your residential, commercial or industrial HVAC unit, look no further than Air Comfort, the number one experts to approach when it comes to residential and marine HVAC installation services. Compared to our competitors, we have 60 years of experience in the HVAC business, and we pride ourselves in providing our customers and clients with quality service and high-quality equipment for their homes. When you work with us, it’s guaranteed that you’ll be working with a world-class team that has the necessary experience and expertise. Give us a call at (409) 833-5665 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today!