Is It That Time Again?

It's time you changed your home's air filters

Did you know that you could increase your home's energy efficiency by taking proper care of your air filter? Air filters help remove dust, pollen and other particles from your home's air, improving the quality of air you breathe.

Walton EMC's home energy specialist Dan Guy says you should change or clean your air filters religiously - every month. One of the most common mistakes of consumers is neglecting their homes' air filters.

Dirty air filters restrict the airflow and can increase the humidity level in your home. This can have long-term effects on your home's heating system. For instance, a dirty air filter during the winter causes a restriction on the home's airflow. Not as much heat is exchanged requiring your heat compressor to work harder. Stress to your compressor will shorten its lifespan.

“It's not common to see a $15 to $50 increase in your monthly electric bill from dirty air filters,” Guy said.

There are four types of air filters to choose from: throwaway, washable, thin pleated and electronic. You may be wondering, “How do I know which type of filter is best for my home?”

A filter's efficiency depends on the type, size and number of particles it can trap. But no matter what type you choose, it will either have to be changed or cleaned monthly.

Throwaway filters are the cheapest, but only trap the larger particles. These filters are made of fiberglass or polyester and should be disposed every month.

Washable filters require more effort from the consumer, but are friendlier to the environment. There are two types of washable filters: electrostatic and non-electrostatic. The advantage of electrostatic filters is their ability to trap particles. The filter contains electrostatic fibers that act like magnets, attracting small particles that other filters allow to pass through.

Electrostatic filters also have a longer life expectancy compared to non-electrostatic. Some electrostatic come with a lifetime warranty. Washable filters may cost more than throwaway, but when you consider the life span of the filters, the cost is competitive.

Pleated, or cartridge-type, filters are thick and have a large surface area to trap more particles than the other types. Pleated filters may cost more than traditional disposable filters, but they are more efficient and only have to be changed once a year.

The last type of filter is electronic. Electronic air cleaners are the most efficient when it comes to removing particles in your home. The particles in your air have a positive electrical charge, while the ground plates of the cleaner have a negative charge. As the particles pass through the system, the positively charged particles are attracted to the negatively charged plate, and then removed from the air.

When you're out shopping for a new filter, notice the filter's Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The MERV system measures the filtration. Filters receive a score between one and 16. The higher the number, the better the filtration.

Air filters can be purchased at home hardware stores, home improvement stores, discount chains and even grocery stores.

Help increase your home's energy efficiency and start changing or cleaning your filters monthly.