Media Air Filter Services in Columbus, OH
The air filters in our heating and cooling systems are responsible for not only keeping our HVAC systems running well, but also for eliminating airborne pollutants from the air circulating in our homes. Because of this, clean and effective air filters serve an essential function in improving our indoor air quality. Furthermore, effective air filters can increase the life expectancy of an HVAC system and, when changed frequently, they can reduce the necessity for repairs by reducing the strain on an HVAC system caused by improper airflow.
As such, upgrading your air filter is another great way to improve indoor air quality. However, not all air filters are created equal. Homeowners looking to improve indoor air quality need to realize that the inexpensive washable fiberglass air filters barely improve HVAC performance, let alone improve your air quality. If you’re looking to do that, upgrading to an air filter with a higher MERV rating is one way proven to be effective. Additionally, upgrading to a thicker air filter will also improve air quality provided you don’t go too thick.
What is the Difference Between the One-Inch Air Filter and a Media Filter?
The biggest differences between the standard air filter and a media filter is the size and effectiveness. Media air cleaners are installed as cabinets. Our air care experts position them in the return air duct of a forced-air HVAC system. Media filters improve indoor air quality drastically by effectively filtering pollution out of the air. Standard filters are only one inch thick and, as we noted, they don’t do anything to improve air quality. Standard air filters only protect the HVAC equipment. That’s all. Media air cleaners use filters that are 4 to 5 inches thick while the standard air filter is an inch. This much thicker filter is what provides far more air filtration
What is a MERV Rating?
Because not all air cleaners are created equally, a homeowner can also upgrade their home’s air filters to further improve indoor air quality. To improve air quality, we suggest upgrading to an air filter with a higher MERV rating, or to a four-inch filter instead of the one-inch filter most widely used in homes today. MERV, which is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a rating system for air filters that uses a scale of 1 to 16, with 16 being the highest-rated air filter. Typically, residential HVAC systems can’t use a filter rated above 13 on the MERV scale.
What is HEPA?
HEPA is a type of pleated mechanical air filter. It is an acronym for “high efficiency particulate air [filter]” (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. of Energy). This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm). The diameter specification of 0.3 microns responds to the worst case; the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). Particles that are larger or smaller are trapped with even higher efficiency. Using the worst-case particle size results in the worst-case efficiency rating (i.e. 99.97% or better for all particle sizes).
Benefits of Air Filters in Franklin County & Surrounding Areas
Saves Money on Home Heating and Cooling
Who doesn’t want to save some hard-earned cash on heating and air conditioning? Media air filters enable you to do just that! In addition to upgrading your indoor air quality and saving you money, media filters and air cleaners help you keep your HVAC equipment cleaner at a cost that’s less than a portable air purification system, an electronic air purifier or any other air purification product using filtration. These air quality improvements increase your HVAC system’s efficiency and help lower your utility costs.
Protects HVAC Equipment
As we’ve noted, media cabinets protect the HVAC equipment. Anything you can do to make your HVAC equipment last longer is a major money saver because HVAC systems are expensive to replace. As noted above, the use of a media air filter helps you prolong the lifespan of your HVAC unit. Using media filters helps keep the equipment’s indoor coil clean. Because a Whole-Home Air Cleaner is thicker with a much larger surface area to trap, capture and remove more dirt and dust then standard air filters, your equipment benefits in the long run as well.
The Media Filter Lasts Longer
Your home heating and cooling experts at Greater Columbus Furnace & Air Conditioning suggest replacing these high-performance accordion air filters one time per year at least. Nevertheless, homeowners need to check the filters at least once every 6 months for additional air filter replacement. Depending on all several factors contributing to the dust accumulation in your home, these air filters might only need to be changed once a year.
Filters and Removes Household Air Pollution
With a media cabinet installed in your HVAC unit, the filter continuously removes all kinds of particles, pollution and indoor allergens while they pass through the system. These impurities can lead to respiratory conditions and other health-related issues. In addition to the nice health benefits, removing this stuff out of your air supply cracks down on dirt and dust that would otherwise build up in the home. Having less dust building up, in addition to cleaner air, your home will look cleaner and feel better in addition to the air being healthier.
How to Change an Air Filter in Columbus, OH
Changing your media air filter is an easy process. For starters, media air filters come with the media filter already inside of the cabinet. However, eventually, you’ll need to replace it because if it gets clogged, it’s hard on your HVAC system. To help you through this simple process, your friends here at Greater Columbus Furnace & Air Conditioning outline a few simple steps below. Additionally, this short video also explains the process.
Step 1
Take out the media filter frame box from your HVAC. However, before doing this, make sure you turn off all power to your heating or cooling unit. Doing so is safe and also makes sure that you don’t get particles or dust in the system if it were to kick on while you were replacing the media.
Step 2
Find the four tabs on the filter frame box itself. Turn these to open up, allowing the sides of the frame to go down. This will give you access to the media for removal. From there, the old media easily comes out and can be thrown away. Because of their design, these are much easier to get rid of because they aren’t as bulky, and you can fold them up and throw them away.
Step 3
Uncoil the new media so you can insert it into the filter frame. The end of the new media with cardboard should fit snugly into the first channel on the filter frame. Matching the old media, place one fold per base on the filter frame box. After this, there are only two accordion filters that fit several different frames. Because of this, you might have more folds than you do channels. If you do, it’s not a problem. If you have extras, you can bunch up any extra folds into one channel. It’ll still work fine.
Step 4
After you have inserted all the folds, lift the sides of the box so you’re able to reattach to the new media. Flip the tabs back in place to secure the media. When this is done, you’ve successfully replaced your media!
HVAC FINANCING
Buy Today, Pay Over Time with HVAC Financing
Are you trying to replace a furnace, A/C unit, or residential HVAC system and need help with home comfort system finance options or credit options to cover the cost of installation, HVAC replacement or repairs? See our amazing HVAC finance programs and credit options we have available below! We’ve partnered up with several financial institutions to help our customers keep their homes comfortable year-round.
With our credit options, you can enjoy optimal comfort in your home now by making affordable monthly payments, regular installments, until the equipment is paid off over time. By utilizing a multitude of lenders and financial institutions, our HVAC finance options here are second to none.
Common Air Filter Questions & Answers
How long are media air filters good for?
Media filters last much longer than traditional filters, which need to be checked on a monthly basis. In general, an air cleaner like this can last up to a year. They offer far cleaner air in the home and they’re able to filter out smaller particles without restricting the system’s airflow. On average, a media air filter is good for up to six months to a year before they need to be replaced. Nevertheless, we suggest doing a visual inspection of your air filter regularly.
Do media air filters improve air quality much?
If you’re looking to improve your indoor air quality for any reason, media filters are your HVAC system’s best defense against all sorts of household air pollution. They do an exceptional job at offering homeowners much cleaner air and are considered one of the highest quality air filters available for homeowners on the market. Media air filters remove harmful particles and air pollution, allergens, dust, smoke, mold and more. They work best when used in conjunction with functional HVAC equipment and proper household cleaning techniques.
What’s the best type of fuel for a home heating system?
There are three different fuel sources you can use to heat your home. These three main types include gas, electricity and oil. To determine which of these is the best option, a homeowner needs to check the prices of suppliers for each type of fuel and figure out which one is most readily available.
Different types of furnaces vary in size so space needs to be considered as well. Propane or oil furnaces require more room than other oil and natural gas furnaces. Because natural gas furnaces offer far cleaner energy and are good for homes in general that are not connected to gas supplies, they are often the best choice.
When it comes to fueling a home heating system, natural gas is typically the best option. Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel source that is cost-effective compared to other forms of energy, such as oil or propane. It also produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than oil and propane.