Selecting the correct air filter
As a business owner, you understand the need for routine maintenance to protect the equipment you use every day. One of those valuable investments is your HVAC system. When you combine your system with a filter that is the correct size according to the specifications, and seems to fit you well, you’re ready for another year, right? That is what many people would assume.
But there are four ways to tell that you’re using the wrong air filter in your HVAC system, and the wrong filter wastes energy and, in turn, increases utility bills.
1. you hear a “popping” sound when installing the new filter.
If it takes a lot of effort to remove the old filter, especially if you hear a “popping” sound when you do so, that’s a sign that the filter was damaged. too dense (for example, too thick). This makes the HVAC system less efficient, which means it costs more money to run and can lead to expensive repairs.
Also, a filter that is too small will be sucked in the filter holder, and again you may hear a “popping” sound. In a case like this, you need to install a larger portafilter or add a second portafilter. Or if you have a pleated cotton filter that seems to sag when you’re removing it, that lets you know it was the wrong size.
Depending on the type of HVAC system, you may not be able to add a filter holder. In some cases, all you can do is swipe the new filter. In such cases, you can control the volume of air coming out of your ductwork by removing a grill. If you feel a rush of air after removing the screen, then you have the wrong filter. air flow It should be constant: a rush of air means that the filter is too dense.
However, regardless of the exact HVAC system, it cannot be overemphasized that an incorrect air filter size will decrease airflow and increase stress on the air handler. This leads to the following:
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Higher utility bills
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Shorter equipment life
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More frequent repairs
2. How to “read” your filter and see if it’s worth your “salt”.
If you can read the newspaper through your filter, then you know it’s No dense enough to capture most of the dust and dirt. Another good test is to put a little salt in the filter. If the salt is passing directly through the filter, then it is not keeping dirt and other particles out as it should.
This sometimes occurs when using a cheaply made woven filter (they are often blue in color). While cheap, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Pleated filters made of cotton, usually 1-inch thick, are recommended for most standard grills, as they keep out more contaminants.
Remember that a filter that is not dense enough it is just as bad as one that is TOO dense (thick)!
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The coil and ductwork become dirty from dust and dirt passing through the filter.
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A dirty coil and fan lead to higher power consumption (and higher power bills).
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The increased number of particles and pollen passing through the filter and being agitated by the HVAC system leads to poor indoor air quality. And poor indoor air quality can lead to health problems for Rich, his employees AND his customers!
3. Your air registers are dusty or dirty.
The supply and return vents for your HVAC system are more commonly known as “registers”. Supply registers are the opening covers in the walls through which conditioned air is exhausted into your work space.
Return vents also have manhole covers, except they are connected to the return ductwork. When your system is running, it draws air from the return vents through the ductwork and back into the HVAC system. Return vents are usually larger than supply vents, and you usually won’t feel any air coming out of them.
If any of the registers are not clean (supply or return), this leads to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). The most common reason for this problem is a dirty air filter. With clean logs and a clean filter, you can improve IAQ quickly and easily. This also allows your system to run more efficiently, using less power and saving you money.
4. Your workplace is dusty, but it takes over a month for the air filter to look dirty.
Like the previous point, this is an indication that:
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Your air filter is, in fact, dirty.
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Your filter is too small or not dense enough.
Summary
In conclusion, indoor air is often dirtier than outdoor air.. It is imperative that business owners like you have the correct size air filter. Also, it is recommended to keep your registers clean and replace your system filter at least every three months for most HVAC systems. Considering how much you spent on your system and the cost of running it, a few filters a year is much less expensive than an inefficient and unhealthy system. Well worth it, don’t you think?
