Is there an advantage of a HEPA air filter over a traditional filter?

If you’re on top of your air filters and changing them as frequently as you should be, you’ve probably come across the HEPA air filters. HEPA air filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, work by forcing air through a fine mesh trapping particles like pollen, pet dander, dust mites and smoke.

With how often you should be changing your air filter (a few times a year) you may be tempted to go with the cheap fiberglass filters for a couple of bucks. After all, is there really an advantage to purchasing a higher-quality air filter, like a HEPA air filter, that costs more? We’re here to let you in on the HEPA advantages you may have been missing out on.

We have gone over the importance of indoor air quality previously here. Indoor air quality affects your health, especially if you or someone else in the home has asthma. Being exposed to and breathing in things like pollen, mold spores, dust mite debris, smoke, pet dander or smog can leave you with headaches, sore throats, and skin rashes. Your air filter is what protects you from breathing these things in your home.

As we mentioned earlier, the fiberglass air filters are definitely the cheapest, but they are don’t do very well when it comes to removing particles from the air; we’re talking less than 10% of the pollutants are removed.

Another more traditional option would be the pleated air filter. These remove up to 45% of particles in the air and usually cost around $10. While a better option than the fiberglass filter, it is still inferior to the HEPA air filter.

High efficiency air filters remove up to 85% of the air pollutants in your home, which is a number that can leave you sleeping easy at night. (You’ll probably be sleeping easy with all that clean air to breathe!) And a true HEPA air filter used for a whole house filtration system or air purifier can remove up to 98% of the pollutants in the home.

Fiberglass air filters are actually pretty good when it comes to trapping large particles in the air, but don’t handle the small particles very well. While HEPA air filters aren’t as good at catching large particles, they are much better at capturing the smaller particles. But the smaller particles are much more harmful to your health; these are the ones you want to worry about trapping.

The effectiveness of the HEPA air filter and the importance of air quality to your health are two simple yet powerful reasons why these high efficiency filters are superior to any other option. By investing in a HEPA air filter you can ensure you and your family will be breathing cleaner air.

For more information about air filters, or to have someone tune up your AC to further improve your indoor air quality, call the professionals with Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning..

So, Think You Need and Air Conditioner Replacement?

How do you know you need to replace your AC? As the weather continues to heat up, this is a great question to ask yourself. If you think an air conditioner replacement is in your future, now is a great time to make that decision before you really start to depend on cool air for a comfortable summer. Here are four signs that it’s time to replace your AC.

1. Age

The lifespan of an AC unit usually ranges from 10 to 15 years. Whether our system makes it all

the way to 15 or barley makes it to 10 before calling it quits will depend greatly on the care of your system throughout the years. Better care and preventative maintenance will mean your AC system will last longer. But old age alone isn’t necessarily reason enough for get a new system. If your air conditioner is within this range and has any of the issues listed below, then it’s time for an air conditioning replacement.

2. Inefficient

Often if your AC system is older, it will be less efficient than newer models. Despite the age of your air conditioner, if your system is constantly running without actually cooling your home very well or at all, it’s probably inefficient. In either case, inefficiency means you’ll be paying more for your utility bill than necessary. Take a look at your bills, do some research for normal costs in your area, and if your system is too inefficient, look into something newer and more efficient.

3. Expensive repairs

With time, there will be parts of your AC system that may breakdown or need some service. For these repairs, call the professionals at Complete Heating and Air. Locally owned and family operated, you can trust them with your repair needs. That said, as your system gets older sometimes the repairs become more serious; these repairs are beyond regular maintenance and can be quite expensive. If you find yourself in a situation where the cost of a repair has you thinking a whole new system might be a better bang for your buck, you’re probably right. It’s time to consider an air conditioner replacement.

4. Your home isn’t comfortable

If your home isn’t cool in the summertime, it’s obviously going to be a big problem for your household. You’ll probably be overheated and frustrated. If your system runs but doesn’t cool the air, there can be some serious issues that mean it’s time for an air conditioner replacement. If your system seems more humid than it should be, also it’s time for a replacement. Extra moisture in the air can mean a few things. One is leaking refrigerant which is a health risk for your family and should be fixed immediately. No cool air could mean your compressor failed, or the Freon levels are too low. If that’s the case, it’s time to move on.

Whether your system has one or all of these signs, if you have any questions regarding your air conditioning system and repairs or replacement options, give the experts at Complete Heating and Air a call.