Do HEPA Filters Work with Your HVAC System?
If you’re concerned about the indoor air quality in your Winnipeg residence, HEPA filters are a powerful method to freshen the air your family breathes.
HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air, is the gold benchmark for air filtration. These filters are often installed in medical centers, as they trap at minimum 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. These filters can remove microscopic substances from the air such as mold, dust and pet dander.
Because of their outstanding filtration capabilities, HEPA filters are deep and can lower airflow in some home comfort systems. It’s essential to contact a heating and cooling Expert like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts in advance of installing one to avoid damaging your furnace. So, let’s go over whether or not you can install HEPA filters in your HVAC system.
What Is a HEPA Filter and How Does It Work?
HEPA furnace filters were initially designed to defend scientists against radiation as they created the atomic bomb during World War II. These fiberglass filters have very thin mesh that traps most contaminants. Today, these filters are frequently seen in medical centers, science labs and even houses.
If you tried to install a HEPA filter in your furnace, you’d potentially have trouble getting enough air from your vents. This is due to the fact your furnace’s blower motor isn’t designed to work with such a deep filter.
What MERV Rating Can My Furnace Use?
Filters are ranked by their MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The greater the number, the more effective the filter is at catching small pollutants.
Here’s how standard household filters stack up:
- Flat filters—MERV 5. Filters pollen and dust mites.
- Pleated filters—MERV 8. Traps pollen, dust mites and mold.
- Box filters—MERV 13. Traps pollen, dust mites, mold and specific fumes.
Higher ratings, like MERV 14-20, are installed in commercial and medical centers. A HEPA filter typically ranks at MERV 17-20.
Normally, the highest rating you can safely use in your furnace is MERV 13, but we suggest consulting with a heating and cooling company like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts prior to keep clear of damage to your furnace.
HEPA filters in homes are typically part of a separate whole-home air filtration system. This equipment is placed within your ductwork and runs in partnership with your HVAC system.
To improve filtration power, some models of these systems come with UV germicidal lights and activated carbon filters. Germicidal lights have been shown to dependably eliminate some viruses in homes under specific airflow conditions. And activated carbon filters can get rid of most pungent odors, including cooking odors or tobacco smoke.
What to Look for in a HEPA Filter for Your Home
There are a couple of different solutions that function with your HVAC unit—HEPA filtration systems, air filtration systems and media air cleaners.
A HEPA filtration system delivers the highest effectiveness, with 99.97% efficiency for contaminants as miniscule as .3 micron. These filtration systems typically have a multiple-step filtration process, with a prefilter for big particles, MERV 17 filter for the residual pollutants and carbon filter for odors.
Air purification systems are typically the full package, with a hospital-grade MERV 16 filter, germicidal lights and carbon filters. A media air cleaner is just the filter and may have carbon filtration add-ons.
Some of these systems are designed to work with specific brands, while others are compatible with all brands. Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can help you decide what will provide you the best results for your family.
Here are a few components to look for when considering a filtration system for your family:
- Provides hospital-grade filtration (MERV 16 and up)
- Captures pollutants, bioaerosols and odors
- Provides filtration for your total house, not merely a lone room
- Doesn’t create ozone, which may cause respiratory inflammation
- Compatible with smart thermostats
If you’re seeking to increase the indoor air quality in your house, the Experts at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts are here to assist you with a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. Your loved ones’ comfort is important to us, so we’ll work as a team to help you choose the ideal solution for your home. Contact us at 204-800-0613 today to get your appointment.
