Which Air Filter is Right for Your Health
Endless are the points to consider when it comes to perfect home comfort. Should you buy a high-efficiency air conditioning unit? Which size and brand of system is ideal for your home? Are programmable thermostats actually worth the cost? And round and round we go.
Just when you think you are done making home comfort decisions, another important question pops up:
Which home air filter should I choose for my family’s health?
There are several kinds of home air filters you can choose from. Allergy prevention is a big objective for many families to stay healthy.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Home Air Filters
HEPA filters are seen as the ultimate filtration product by Stevenson Service Experts, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the EPA. HEPA filters can remove up to 98% of pollutants in your family’s air. These are the types of filters usually installed in hospitals to kill germs and keep everyone healthy, but Stevenson Service Experts provides them for home air filters. If there are any serious respirational health problems for anyone in the home, the experts suggest the purchase of a whole-home HEPA air filtration system.
High-Efficiency Home Air Filters
These bad boys remove 85% of pollutants in your home’s air. Not only will high-efficiency home air filters help with relieving allergy symptoms, they also help your HVAC systems run more efficiently, ultimately lowering energy costs which could save you money on heating and cooling bills year after year.
Standard Pleated Media Home Air Filters
These are your more familiar home air filters and can be found at most home improvement stores. While pleated home air filters may come with a lower price tag, they also have to be replaced more often – every four to twelve weeks versus yearly like the whole-home HEPA and high-efficiency air filters. Since HEPA home air filters cost anywhere from $60-$100, for annual cost you’re looking at nearly the same price. Standard pleated air filters can destroy up to 45% of your home’s air pollutants and the most important factor is the number of pleats per foot. The higher number of pleats, the better the air flow, and the cleaner your home’s air will be.
Basic Fiberglass Home Air Filters
The flat, fiberglass air filters are the most simple type of home air filter. These filters do not usually better your indoor air quality; instead, they were created to protect the HVAC equipment from having larger contaminants infiltrate the system and harm the pieces. As a result, they can only remove less than 10% of your indoor air pollutants, but they are available for about $1 each.
If you’re having trouble deciding which air filter is the best choice for your home, give Stevenson Service Experts a call today and we will talk you through all the options and help you decide which air filter is best for your home’s air.