To achieve the cleanest air in your home it is very important that you select an ac filter that is efficient. There are a great variety of filters available from general use to very efficient. Some are even made to handle certain types of problems such as smell or even allergens like fungus, mold and bacteria. There was a time that these filters were only available for commercial use but today they are available for home owners also. Some of the most efficient ac filters are HEPA and electrostatic.

When it comes to AC filters, equipment protection was the initial goal. In other words, AC filters were originally designed to protect the various components of the heating or air conditioning system from larger contaminants that may damage the equipment. The added benefit was cleaner air, but nothing like you see today. Today, AC filters still protect the equipment but they also give us clean, healthy air.

The key to clean air is to make sure AC filters are well maintained. After all, these filters can only hold so many pollutants. Some AC filters are disposable, meaning once they reach a point of being full of air pollutants; they are simply tossed out and replaced. However, you will also find a number of AC filters designed to be recycled. These AC filters are removed, washed, dried, and put back into position.

One of the benefits of keeping your ac filter well maintained is that equipment operating efficiency and cooling capacity is kept at optimum levels. For you, the home owner, this means reduced operating costs, fewer breakdowns and extended operating life.

As far as replacement of AC filters, the timing depends on various factors. For instance, if the air passing through your air conditioning unit is not overly polluted, your filter could easily last for months. On the other hand, if you live in a dusty area or have problems with fungus and yeast, then your AC filter may need to be replaced every two to three weeks.

The key with AC filters is not to wait until the filter is completely caked with dirt and dust. At this point, strain is being added to the air conditioning unit, meaning it has to work harder than it should. The best time for AC filters to be replaced is when you notice the majority of filter media being lightly covered. It would be better to replace an AC filter too soon rather than too late.

Air conditioning equipment requires 400 CFM of air flow per Ton of cooling capacity. As your ac filter becomes dirty it begins to restrict the amount of air that the fan is able to move. As the air flow declines the unit has to work harder to handle the load. This causes longer run times and less efficient operation.