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Air Filtration Probably one of the most over looked part of a heating and cooling system is the air filter. Many stores offer inexpensive fiberglass disposable filter. These are probably the least effective air filters because of the design. The material traps only the large particles. The manufacturer recommends replacing these filters once a month. Unfortunately, most homeowners or building maintenance people do not replace them this often allowing dust and dirt to collect in the equipment, ductwork and back into air offering little to no protection to the equipment or the occupants of the building.
The next least expensive alteration is a disposable paper pleated filter. They offer better filtering and usually fit directly into existing filter racks without modifications. They still require replacement usually once a month.
The most common best alternative is the pleated media filter. Media filters are much larger than standard pleated filters (usually 5 inch thick compared to 1 inch traditional) allowing more surface area to trap particles without restricting air flow. They usually require some ductwork modification but costs are a lot less than the least expositive electronic air filter. The filter is a disposable type that usually lasts up to a year. The replacement costs are in the range of $20 to $30, depending on size and type. This may sound like a lot, but when you consider purchasing 12 quality 1 inch paper filters, it less than half the cost through the season.
Another very effective way to filter the air is the electronic air filter. One nice feature of most of these units is that there are no filter media to replace. Plus they have very little restriction on the airflow through the system which can be very beneficial on certain systems that may not have been ducted properly. The disadvantages of this unit are the initial cost to install is expensive plus you need to clean the filter assemblies at least every 2 months. To clean the assemblies most manufacturers recommend placing the elements on the top rack of a dishwasher and allow to thoroughly dry before reinstalling.
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