Furnace Repair Los Angeles: Choose the Best Furnace Filter for Your Home

Furnace Repair Los Angeles: Choose the Best Furnace Filter for Your Home

Furnace repair often just comes down to finding the correct filter. But, choosing the best furnace filter for your home can be a daunting task. There are a wide range of filters on the market today, all with varying degrees of effectiveness, so it pays to know how they work and what each rating means. Contact  Air-Tro Inc. for more information on furnace repair options in Los Angeles.

Furnace Ratings

Filters for an HVAC system are generally rated according to minimum effectiveness reporting value, or MERV. Some retailers will have their own rating system. But, you can go online and check out how these ratings stack up against the industry-wide MERV system. A fiberglass filter rated MERV 1-4 is a common choice. These filters are inexpensive, but are not very effective when it comes to enhancing air quality. These filters should be changed monthly.

A pleated polyester filter with a MERV of 7-13 does a better job of keeping dust and dirt out of your HVAC system. Also, it is better at keeping smaller particles from recirculating in your home. These can be changed less frequently, but it’s a good idea to make sure they’re not dirty. If they are, a change is in order. Dirty filters not only reduce air quality, they also reduce the efficiency of your furnace and A/C. Pleated filters with MERVs higher than 13 are usually used in hospital and industrial settings.

Higher Efficiency

Homeowners with respiratory problems may want to look into high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These devices provide very dense filtration, featuring a MERV of 17-20. HEPA filters require extensive system modification so that they don’t reduce airflow.

Electrostatic filters trap particles on a collecting plate with a negative charge. While they are somewhat effective in trapping particles, they should be used in conjunction with a HEPA vacuum. And, one should stick to a strict cleaning regimen to control pet dander and other irritants.

For more information about choosing the best furnace filter for your home, contact Air-Tro Inc. We’ve been serving Monrovia since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Los Angeles, California area on furnace repair options. And, we also educate about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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