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What Are HEPA Filters for HVAC Systems?

Ever wondered about how clean your indoor air is? You might be surprised to know the facts.

The quality of the air we breathe affects our health and well-being. The level of certain pollutants in indoor air can be up to five times higher than in the air outdoors.

The buildup of particles, fumes, and odors from indoor pollutants can increase substantially if your home doesn’t have adequate ventilation. This can contribute to inferior air quality in your home or office. 

Why Is Good Indoor Air Quality Important?

Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to health and cause many unpleasant physical symptoms, such as eye irritation, sinus congestion, nausea, dizziness, dry throat, fatigue, and headache.

You rely on your ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) all year round. A reliable HVAC HEPA filter can dilute harmful emissions from pollutants and bring fresh air into your living spaces. Besides, it can worsen pre-existing conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems.

What Is a HEPA Filter?

You might have come across the word “HEPA” when looking for a vacuum cleaner or an air purifier. HEPA is an acronym for high-efficiency particulate air. It is a designation used for filters that can trap up to 99.97 percent of indoor air particles, including:

  • Bacteria
  • Pollen
  • Dust
  • Pet dander
  • Smoke
  • Airborne particles

A HEPA filter for HVAC systems is ideal for homes, offices, hospitals, schools, and commercial spaces. 

How Do HVAC HEPA Filters work?

Most modern-day HEPA filters are composed of heavily interlaced glass fibers that are intricately twisted and turned to produce a complex fibrous maze. This interwoven mesh-like filter can trap microscopic emissions as tiny as 0.3 microns in size.

For your reference, human hair is 17 to 180 microns wide. When air passes through the filter, its dense web of fibers captures harmful contaminants released into the airflow.

HEPA filters were originally designed during World War II to protect scientists from radiation while developing the atomic bomb.

Today, HEPA furnace filters are widely used and desirable for homes, scientific laboratories, and medical settings, such as clinics and hospitals.

Can I Put a HEPA Filter in My HVAC System?

Since they provide a high level of filtration, HEPA filters are very thick and dense. When improperly installed, these filters can disrupt airflow in your living spaces.

Moreover, due to the sophisticated nature of the filters, they can affect the airflow process of your HVAC system. This can increase your energy bills and damage the heating or cooling equipment.

Installing a HEPA filter for any HVAC system is not a straightforward, one-size-fits-all process. If you are considering a HEPA filter for home HVAC, it is best to use the services of a highly-trained and licensed technician, who will be able to provide you with the best possible solution.

How Our Heating and Air Conditioning Experts Can Help

It can be quite complicated to pick the right furnace or air conditioner HEPA filter replacement by yourself. At Buric Heating and Air Conditioning, the trained technicians will be able to assess your HVAC equipment and recommend the most suitable filtration system for your property.

Moreover, no matter what filter you buy, proper installation is also crucial in ensuring that it performs optimally. Using a trained professional can make the process seamless and free of complications.

Not All Filters Are Created Equal

Our experts take several considerations when picking the right air conditioning filter or furnace filter for you. Certain air filters are designed to work with specific brands. We also carry a wide range of state-of-the-art filters that we can install with any brand of HVAC unit.

We consider many factors before choosing the best filtration system for your home or business. Some features that we take into account are:

  • Filtration for the entire indoor space, not just a part of the property
  • Compatibility with existing thermostats
  • The ideal MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) grade level for optimal performance

The goal is to have clean air indoors without the presence of odors, fumes, and pollutants.

We Have HVAC HEPA Filter Solutions for Every Unit 

It might be tricky to determine exactly what MERV rating your furnace or air conditioner can handle when picking a HEPA filter. As a rule of thumb, the higher the rating, the more efficient the filter. However, not all filters are compatible with every HVAC unit.

Household filters can be broadly categorized into:

  • Flat filters (MERV 5 grade): Remove dust mites and pollen
  • Pleated filters (MERV 8 grade): Remove mold, dust mites, and pollen 
  • Box filters (MERV 13 grade): Remove fumes, mold, dust mites, and pollen

MERV filters of grade 14 and higher provide the highest level of purification. They are typically used in commercial spaces and medical facilities. HEPA filters are considered to be a superior choice, as they have a MERV rating of 17 or higher.

How Much Does a Whole House HEPA Filter Cost?

We have a wide variety of filters and complete filtration systems to meet your unique needs. No matter what your budget, our friendly technicians will be able to provide you with a very cost-effective solution. We specialize in installing:

  • HEPA furnace filter
  • HEPA air condition filter
  • A window air conditioner with HEPA filter
  • HEPA filter for split AC 
  • And so much more

In addition, many customers opt for a total package with carbon filters, germicidal lights, and an advanced MERV 16 filter.

We believe that cost should not be a barrier in choosing a suitable solution for the comfort and health of your family. We will work with you and help you find the right choice for your home.

Air Filter Maintenance for Clean and Healthy Air

Regularly taking care of your HVAC units and filters is a crucial step in ensuring that the air you breathe is fresh and free of pollutants. The filters can collect dirt and grime over time. They will need to be changed periodically. Not maintaining them can create many issues, such as:

  • Clogged air ducts with contaminants
  • Reduce the life of your HVAC unit
  • Increased energy consumption

Most people change their HEPA filters once every 6 to 12 months.

Do HEPA Filters Restrict Airflow?

HEPA filters are designed to trap the smallest of particles. A higher filtration efficiency means a more restricted airflow due to the thickness of the filter. Accordingly, they need to be used with only compatible systems.

If you are considering installing one, our technician can measure the airflow in your property and check your system for compatibility with an in-duct HEPA filtration. We also have alternative solutions that can be installed in your existing HVAC unit without restricting the airflow. 

Feel Confident That the Air You Breathe Is Safe

Picking the right filter yourself can be a daunting and lengthy process. At Buric Heating and Air Conditioning, we specialize in HEPA filtration systems for HVAC. We proudly serve both residential and commercial customers in the area.

We can simplify it for you and make it a completely stress-free experience. In addition to installation, we also offer regular inspection and maintenance services, so you can be assured that the air in your home is safe for you and your family.

Our team of highly trained HVAC technicians can assist and provide you with a free consultation at no obligation at all. We will determine your individual needs and create a fully customized solution for you.

Contact Buric Heating and Air Conditioning today, and take charge of the quality of the air you breathe day in and day out.