When you have clean air in your home, you don't have to worry about allergies, mold, or several other types of respiratory problems. Air filters are important to maintaining your health and also the quality of your home. But if you don't have all the parts you need for your filter to function, you'll need to find them.
That's where our team of filtration professionals at Fluitek can help. We can help determine what replacement parts you need.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
The air inside our homes and buildings plays a major role in our health, comfort, and overall well-being. However, indoor air pollution poses risks that are often overlooked. On average, Americans spend the majority of their time indoors, so indoor air quality has a significant impact.
Poor indoor air can expose occupants to contaminants like dust, dander, mold, and chemicals from furnishings, cleaning products, and other sources. Over time, breathing unhealthy indoor air has been linked to various respiratory issues as well as exacerbating asthma and allergies. Maintaining good indoor air quality through effective air filtration is essential.
Proper filtration removes impurities to create a safer, cleaner environment where people can live and work productively without risk of illness or discomfort from poor ventilation. With indoor pollution posing risks equal to or greater than outdoor sources, proper filtration forms an important defense for protecting health, safety, and wellness within interior spaces.
Types of Air Filters and Their Roles
There are several different types of filters that you can use for air filtration to improve your indoor air quality (IAQ). But some of the most common include:
Panel Filters
Panel filters are often the first line of defense used in HVAC filtration systems. They are made from a fibrous material like fiberglass formed into rigid panels or pockets. This configuration helps to distribute airflow across the entire surface area. As air passes through, large particles and debris become trapped in the fibers.
Panel filters protect downstream filters from clogging by capturing the larger particulate first. Regular replacement is needed once they become saturated to maintain airflow.
Proper installation is important to ensure an even fit across the HVAC system casing so air moves uniformly through the filter media. Homeowners should check their panel filters monthly when the system is operating and replace them as needed based on observed dirt buildup. A clean filter is essential to improve indoor air quality and protect equipment components.
Pleated Media Filters
Pleated media air filters contain a thicker, multilayered filter material that is tightly pleated back and forth to increase its effective surface area substantially. This allows it to capture finer airborne particles down to 3-10 microns that typical panel filters may miss. The compact design also puts less resistance on airflow while trapping contaminants commonly found circulating inside homes.
The tight pleat construction helps prevent particles from slipping back out of the filter material over time. However, it also means these filters require more frequent changes once the media becomes loaded with trapped dust and pollutants. Homeowners should check pleated filters every 2-3 months when HVAC systems are routinely operated to ensure optimal indoor air quality.
Adsorption Elements
Adsorption air filters contain an activated carbon or other adsorptive substance as their filtering media. These materials have an extremely high internal surface area that attracts and chemically binds gaseous pollutants and odors to their surface through weak Van der Waals forces. Common indoor air contaminants like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene are captured this way.
Carbon filters are effective at removing unwanted smells from normal household activities as well as improvements like new furniture, paints, or flooring, which can off-gas chemicals into the home's air supply. They are often used in conjunction with other filter types, with the carbon element placed after conventional particulate filters. Homeowners should replace them as directed by the manufacturer or when breakthrough odors are detected.
Air Intake Elements
Air intake filters are located at the points where outdoor air enters a structure through the HVAC system or dedicated ventilation areas. They serve an important screening role to intercept particles, pollen, and other debris picked up from external air before it circulates inside. This helps reduce incidents of allergens and indoor air quality issues.
Most modern HVAC designs incorporate removable air intake filters for easy maintenance. Homeowners should inspect these monthly during heating and cooling seasons when the ventilation system is active.
Heavy dust or debris trapped in the media indicates it's time for replacement. Keeping intake filters clean helps the entire filtration system run efficiently while improving the quality of air brought into the indoor environment.
Signs it's Time to Replace Your Air Filters
Regular filter replacement is essential for residential HVAC systems to maintain optimal performance and indoor air quality. Some noticeable signs indicate it's time for new filters:
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Dirty filters: Visually inspect filters monthly. If they appear clogged with dust and debris, they need to be replaced.
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Higher energy bills: Clogged filters cause the system to work harder. New filters reduce strain and save on utilities.
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Poor airflow: Restricted filters decrease airflow from vents. New ones improve circulation.
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Strange smells: Dirty filters can trap odors that will be released upon replacement.
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Respiratory issues: Replacing filters regularly removes allergens and irritants impacting breathing.
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Moisture problems: Poor filtration allows more moisture intake, affecting humidity levels.
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Equipment stress: An overworked system under excessive static pressure needs cleaned filters.
Paying attention to these common red flags helps determine when finished filters are negatively impacting indoor comfort or health. Homeowners should set reminder schedules to swap out old filters routinely.
Need a Filter Replacement Part? We Can Help
Our team of filtration professionals can help you find replacement filter parts so you can keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe with clean air. We have one of the best cross-reference systems in the industrial filter industry, so it's easy for you to find what you need.
Our team has over 35 years of experience finding quality and affordable filter replacement parts. If we don't have the filter part you need, you can fill out a custom filter solution form, and we can make the part with all the specifications you need.
Contact Us Today to Find the Air Filter That's Right for Your Home
At Fluitek, we offer affordable replacement parts for a variety of types of air filters. If you need a replacement part for an air filter, we can help you figure out which one you need, and so you can get your air filter up and running.
Contact Fluitek to discover the replacement air filter parts we have available.
