<p>EL CERRITO — Some people think air filters are all the same, but this is far from the case. While the heating and cooling systems in many homes have standard, one-inch fiberglass filters, the reality is that these do little to improve indoor air quality—they’re only good for filtering out very large airborne particles. To get better filtration for your HVAC system, consider upgrading to a MERV 13 air filter. This four-inch pleated filter removes particles down to the level of viruses and bacterium, which makes it at least 60 times more effective than a standard filter.</p>
<p>In addition to the quality of the filter you choose, another consideration is how often you replace it. Depending on how frequently you run your HVAC system, your filter may need to be changed anywhere from once a year to every couple of months. To get an idea of an appropriate replacement interval, periodically look at your filter and take note of how fast it gets dirty. By maintaining a clean filter at all times, your home’s air will be cleaner and your HVAC system will operate more efficiently, which will save you money on your utility bills.</p>


Going Above Minimum Standards with Air Filters

Learn why upgrading air filters beyond the minimum standards can significantly enhance indoor air quality and contribute to a healthier home environment.

Going Above Minimum Standards with Air Filters by Tim Hassler

By Tim Hassler of {BR} Hassler Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Video: Assessing Filter Options

In maintaining your HVAC system, there are multiple options for filters you can use. Today, we're in El Cerrito with Diamond Certified expert contributor Tim Hassler of Hassler Heating and Air Conditioning to learn more.

Until recently, it was industry standard to install these one-inch fiberglass filters for your heating system. These filters do have some problems; they're very inefficient. They're really only good at filtering out very large particles. This is actually an example of a MERV 13 filter that we recommend upgrading to. It's a four-inch pleated filter, and it does an excellent job of filtering out most dust particles and pollens. At least 60 times more efficient in filtering out particles.

For those of you that have problems with allergies, you might want to consider an air purifier. This is an example of one, and it has a pleated filter and an electrostatic filter. So, this does an excellent job of filtering out down to the size of viruses and even bacteria.

Another important consideration is to make sure you do change your filter regularly. If you know you're using the system a lot, you may have to change the filter as often as once every one or two months. If you use it very rarely, maybe once a year. But it's something you definitely should monitor because the system is going to operate much better if you do have a clean filter.

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Tim Hassler: A Brotherly Opportunity

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