The general rule of thumb is that one air filter is needed for each air handler. Most homes, especially those with multiple HVAC systems, have more than one filter installed. These are usually placed near the air conditioning system's oven or manipulator and return grilles. The concept is defined by the need for only one filter per household. This is the most common configuration, but it doesn't always hold true in practice.
You'll need as many whole-house filters as there are air handlers, which may vary depending on your HVAC system's setup. Each system has an air filter, which can be located in the air handling unit and in the returns. To make sure you've found all of your air filters, you should check every possible location. Air filters may be located in the air handling unit, but they can also be found elsewhere. There are many things in our homes that work hard to trap dust balls, pollen, and other impurities, such as dehumidifiers and dryers.
Some of these filters are reusable and need to be cleaned regularly; others, like refrigerators and HVACs, are disposable and need to be replaced regularly. But with our hectic lives, changing a filter can get pushed to the bottom of a never-ending to-do list. This can have costly and unhealthy consequences. If your home has a forced air heating or cooling system, then you have at least one air filter. Its purpose is to remove particles and debris suspended in the air inside your home. With a fresh air filter, you can enjoy better indoor air quality for the whole family.
Although you can usually find air filters near handlers and ventilation grilles, you can sometimes find them elsewhere. Even though you might think that having two filters side by side would clean the air better, that's not necessarily true. The air handler is a large metal case; you should look for something that looks like a removable cover (i.e., the filter slot).Holmes says, “If you keep a jug of water with a filter in the refrigerator, you tend to pay more attention to that, but you forget about the other filters in there. It is also the filter recommended by the Department of Health, as it filters even the smallest particles, such as bacteria. Although a whole-house air filter can cost up to four times more than its smaller counterparts, you could end up spending less on air filters per year (depending on your home and living situation).
Don't be surprised if this filter is incredibly dirty, as many homeowners forget or never knew they were there in the first place. If the unit is constantly warm to the touch despite being turned on, check the filter as this may be the cause. If you have a vertical heating unit and the airflow is shifting downwards, you will need to find the fan compartment and open the top door to get to the filter. If you don't occupy a house for several months or only live there part time, weeks or months without using air don't count toward filter use. A clogged filter will not be able to trap dirt, causing dust to build up around ventilation areas. An oven filter is one of the most important household filters, especially if you have pets, smoke, or suffer from asthma or allergies. Asthma, skin and eye irritation, and allergic rhinitis are some of the many health problems caused by clogged air filters. This means that two 25x20x5 filters can have completely different sizes if they are made by different brands.
Washable, electrostatic, HEPA and spun filters are the best options in terms of cost-effectiveness; they require replacement only every few years. Internet speculation that these filters cause its system to overload its fans is largely based on misinformation. It's important to remember that how many air filters your home needs depends on your HVAC system configuration and how often you use it. To ensure good indoor air quality for your family's health and safety, make sure all of your home's air filters are regularly checked and replaced when necessary.
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