Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy” and this month we have a heated topic and if you do not pay attention, you could be left out in the cold and with improvements that cost you money. As Tom and I always say, we are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry: what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment.
There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some interesting information with you this month. So, settle in and enjoy.
Sandy: Okay, Tom, what is our sizzling topic this month?
Tom: Sandy, according to the Almanac, we are in the middle of winter. That is hard to believe since our weather has been largely glorious, balmy and beautiful. However, let’s give our readers some middle of winter tips and advice.
Sandy: Just a little side step here to the Old Farmer’s Almanac – which has a history of being 80 percent correct. For February, it says rain, snow, sunny, showers, cool, additional periods of rain and snow and then more sun and showers and cold and then back to sunny and mild, and then a few more showers and then cool weather.
Tom: I am not sure if we should talk about springtime plantings or furnace maintenance and filters, our weather certainly is enjoyable but creates a false feeling as we are indeed in the middle of winter.
Sandy: Tom, since it is bound to turn cold, let’s start with the furnace. It would be great to ask Bob Edmondson of AC Medic Heating & Air to join us and help with some in depth insights.
Sandy: Bob, welcome to At Home With Tom and Sandy. First of all, thanks for being such a great community partner and taking care of so many folks with heating and cooling issues. Let’s start with furnace filters.
Bob: Tom and Sandy, as you know, there are at least a billion different types of filters out there.
Tom: I understand a lot of the differences revolve around the MERV ratings. That stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV measures how effective a particular filter is in blocking particulates. Bob, does it matter which one I get for my home furnace? Would I want the highest rating?
Bob: A MERV rating describes the efficiency of air filters used in residential air conditioner and heating units. A MERV rating is helpful for determining whether an air filter traps small allergy-inducing particles, such as dust mites. Filters with a MERV rating between 1 and 4 are able to trap allergens measuring 10 micrometers or larger, with an efficiency level of at least 70 percent. A MERV rating of 8 means the filter effectively catches particles as small as 3 micrometers.
Sandy: So Bob, based on an efficiency level of at least 70 percent for filters rated between 1-4, then the higher value of a MERV rating does not necessarily represent a better quality air filter.
Bob: That is correct, Sandy. A high MERV rating indicates that small pores are present that can restrict air flow. If the air flow is restricted, the quality of the air in the residence can be compromised, and the air conditioner unit can potentially be damaged. It is important to realize that filters with a high MERV rating need to be replaced often to avoid restricted air flow.
Tom: Bob, what is an average MERV rating that our readers should consider?
Bob: MERV 6 rated filters are used for basic filtering purposes, which work well to remove larger particles of dirt or lint. MERV 11 are produced for those who suffer asthma, as they increase the filtering ability of dust particles up to 65 percent, versus standard fiberglass filters. MERV 13 filters offer the best filtering capabilities and remove up to 90 percent of dust particles. They are more expensive and need to be changed frequently!
Sandy: I checked my filters and the MERV rating is 4. I change them monthly. Bob, am I on the Dean’s List?
Bob: Yes, Sandy, you are doing it right.
Tom: We all know that something should be done with filers so the question to our guest is how often?
Sandy: Boy, Bob, I bet you get that question a lot! Seriously, we know the filters are there and we know they are doing something important and it is a lot of work to change the filters – they are so high on the wall and in the ceiling.
Bob: There are a number of things this depends on. Some of the things that affect how often the filters need to be changed depend on how clean your environment is, the type of filter you are using, how clean you need your environment to be and how large your living area is.
Tom: So, now that we know the challenges of filter changing, what if you live in an environment that gets dirty and dusty pretty quickly.
Bob: Then the filters should be changed every one to three months typically. This can vary, based on the type of filter you are using. In a typical heating season, the filters should be changed monthly for an average MERV rated filter.
Sandy: What if you require your environment to be extremely clean (i.e. you have severe asthma or allergies), then you’ll probably want to change your filters monthly, right?
Bob: Yes, if you are using lower MERV rated filters.
Bob: The most important thing to take away from our conversation is that if you want your air conditioner to run efficiently, you’ll want to change your filters often. The less often they are changed, the more energy is needed to make if operate, and you put a strain on both your wallet and your equipment.
Sandy: Let’s talk about the billion different types of filters.
Tom: I use pleated filters. Bob, what do you think of those?
Bob: These are the most common filters used. They vary in their efficiency rates (anywhere from 10 to 60 percent). These types of filters should be changed every month.
Then there are Electrostatic filters. These filters give you great value for their efficiency rates. They can be costly (two to three times more than a pleated filter), but they can be reused. You merely rinse them with water, and place them back where they came from.
Tom: I hear the words electronic filters. I have never used them in construction and have never seen them in a home we have remodeled.
Bob: These filters are not very efficient at all. In fact, they’ll never get dirty enough to affect airflow, but they do get dirty enough to become inefficient. They are cleaned by removing the electronic cells and soaking them in a special HVAC cleanser. Once dried, they can be reused.
Sandy: Way too much work.
Tom: What about HEPA filters, they seem to be pretty pricey.
Bob: These filters are by far the most expensive; however, they will keep your air cleaner than any other type of filter. With that in mind, these filters need to be changed every month to maintain their efficiency, as they become plugged very quickly.
Sandy: I have been told not to use panel filters. Can you comment?
Bob: These filters are very inexpensive, and as such, they are extremely inefficient. In fact, most HVAC experts will tell you to steer clear of these filters altogether. Since they are not good at collecting dust, that dust travels where it shouldn’t go…your evaporator coil. Ultimately, you will end up spending more having your evaporator coil cleaned than you would have if you bought the proper filters.
Sandy: Wow, did this column go fast. Bob, thanks so much for being our guest. It was a pleasure to have you joining At Home With Tom and Sandy. Column readers, please pay attention to HVAC filters, the types and how often to change them.
Tom: As a recap, the main rule of thumb is if the filter looks dirty, change it! Don’t wait until the filter is completely filthy because that means the heating and cooling system is not running at its full potential. One of the primary influences of how often you need to change the filter in your home is what type of filter you buy and, as Bob said, filters vary in many ways.
Sandy: I know that we all love to save money, but buying a cheap filter or the incorrect type of filter for your lifestyle will cost more in the long run.
Tom: We forgot to mention if there are pets in the home. The majority of cats and dogs shed, and their hair gets everywhere. That includes your filters, which will alter the performance of your heating and cooling system. If you have a pet or multiple pets in your home, you’ll most likely need to change the filter more often. Depending on the seasons, you may need to change the filter at different intervals. Animals shed more in hotter months, so keep that in mind when it comes to checking your filters.
Sandy: The moral of this column is: if you don’t think that changing your filter is important, it is!
The U.S. Department of Energy says that replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 to 10 percent. You will save money on your energy bills, but it also can save you money on your heating and cooling system. A dirty filter will restrict your air flow, causing your system to work harder. This will cause wear and can create issues that possibly require repairs. Also continuous wear on your system will lower its lifespan.
Tom: Do yourself and your heating and air system a favor, don’t forget to change the filters! Many of our local HVAC companies will offer a filter service, providing quality filters as well as installation services for those hard-to-reach filters.
Thank for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN
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