Choosing the right air filters for your home can seem like a daunting task. But with the right information, it can be easy to find the perfect filters for your needs.
Filters are necessary today because of the air pollution caused by industry, automobiles, and even electronic equipment. Without them, most homes would have nowhere near acceptable air quality.
Those who suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions are especially aware of the need for filters. Here are some tips on how to choose the right air filters for your home.
Online Reviews
One of the best places to learn about different filters is online. There are dozens of review sites where consumers can write about their experiences with air filters. You can check out some great ones at FilterBuy for a wider range of choices.
A filter that was perfect for one person might not be good for someone else, but it’s always worth taking a look at what others have experienced to get an idea of which brands or models are most likely to work well.
Customer Testimonials
Speaking of reviews, another great source for learning about filters is customer testimonials. These are reviews that people leave after purchasing a product from a given company. They’re usually very honest and give an accurate idea as to what to expect when buying the product.
It’s even better if you can find reviews from those who have similar needs as yours because that will ensure that you get products that were designed with your particular situation in mind.
Price
While price isn’t the only factor involved in making a purchase decision, it’s still important. The range of air cleaner prices varies greatly depending on whether or not they offer additional helpful features such as remotes and programmable timers and how powerful they are overall.
If money is tight, then you might want to go for a cheap model that gets the job done without many bells and whistles. But if you have money to spare, then it might be worth spending more on something that offers all of the features you could need.
Brand Names vs. Generic Brands
Choosing between brand names and generic brands is often difficult when buying just about anything, including air filters. If you want quality, then you’ll usually opt for the more expensive option with the brand name manufacturer. But there are plenty of cases in which generic products are just as good, if not better than their counterparts from major companies.
If you have a medical condition, then it’s probably best to stay away from generics. But otherwise, generic brands can be just as good in many cases. How much you save will depend on the type of air filter and the size of the filter.
Filter Type
There are all kinds of air filters available today that can meet pretty much any need you might have in terms of filtration quality and efficiency. There are a few different types though which include:
- Electronic Air Cleaners – These use a fan to blow air through metal plates containing electric charges to trap dust and dirt particles inside them so they don’t get blown back into your home or office environment. They tend to be very efficient at trapping small particles, but they’re only effective for indoor use.
- HEPA Filters – These are especially good at trapping very small things like allergens and bacteria that cause health problems for lots of people. They’re also great at removing odors from the environment, which is why many people choose to install them in their homes or offices where they cook or do activities that might produce bad smells. A downside though is that most larger HEPA filters require permanent installation because there’s no practical way to clean them. That means you’ll have to change your air filter regularly if it’s located inside your home or office building.
- UV Air Cleaners – These use ultraviolet light rays to destroy microorganisms like viruses and bacteria, which makes them useful for hospitals, medical offices, and other places where they might cause problems. They’re not as good at trapping larger particles which means that you’ll still need a standard air filter for your home or office environment.
Size Of The Filter
There’s a correlation between the size of the filter and how much air it can process through it in a certain period. It’s important to have a filter that has enough surface area to meet your needs so you don’t have to exchange the filter too often, but if the filter is too big then some areas of your home may never get filtered air.
But with smaller filters, some parts of the home will always be exposed to unfiltered air unless more than one filter is used.
Each person’s home is different of course, so the right filter for you might not be the same one that’s best for someone else. But with some research and careful consideration, anyone can find the perfect air filter for their needs.