Why Are Electrostatic Filters Better Than Regular Filters?

What Is an Electrostatic Air Filter?

An electrostatic air filter is different from media filters, which are nonreusable. Media filters are pleated and employ an extremely thick network of small fibers to capture airborne particles. While this design is effective, sooner or later the filter is clogged with contaminants. Instead, an electrostatic filter uses the attractive force of static electricity. Animal dander, mold spores and other contaminants are sucked into the filter and trapped. But because of the lack of fibers, electrostatic filters can be rinsed.

Washable air filters are recommended for people who like to cut down on waste. When kept in good shape, an electrostatic filter can last you a very long time. Meanwhile, your common furnace air filter should be replaced every few months. When furnaces can last for up to 20 years, that’s a lot of filters to throw away.

Do Electrostatic Air Filters Have a MERV Rating?

The MERV rating system is a good way to tell how effective an air filter is at trapping contaminants. The higher the filter’s MERV rating, the more effectively it works. Ratings are as high as 20, but these are reserved for special filters for medical and industrial use. Instead, a good average for residential air filters is between a 3 and a 6 MERV rating. These are generally more than adequate for your home’s needs, but there are exceptions.

People with breathing complications or acute allergies may benefit from a more powerful residential filter like HEPA filters. A HEPA filter can remove up to 97% of airborne particles, keeping indoor air quality very high. These filters are often found in specialized air filtration systems. Added filtration may also be beneficial for the elderly and people with respiratory conditions.

Are Electrostatic Air Filters Better Than Disposable? A Comparison.

As you can see, there are benefits to using electrostatic air filters in your home. It just depends on reviewing your indoor air quality needs and making the most suitable choice. Let’s review the key advantages of an electrostatic filter:

Reusable and easy to clean: Unlike pleated media filters, washable air filters are recyclable and reusable. All you have to do is properly rinse them off. Wait enough time for them to dry completely and they can be added back in your HVAC system.

Long-lasting with steady upkeep: To work at their peak effectiveness, electrostatic filters should be cleaned each month. This is a brief process that provides long-term benefits. Washable air filters are highly resilient and can survive the lifetime of your HVAC system when properly cared for.

Offers quality layer of protection: While HEPA filters or dedicated air filtration systems can offer solid results, that doesn’t mean other filters are substandard. For your average home, an electrostatic filter is a superb solution for removing airborne particles.

Improve Indoor Air Quality with Routine Maintenance and Cleaning

Keeping up with routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is a good way to improve indoor air quality in Bossier City. It all depends on the specific conditions of your home as well as your family’s specific needs. Local, experienced technicians may be able to help. They can suggest the perfect products you need to boost indoor air quality.