What Are Electronic Filters in HVAC?
Air filters are an essential component of your HVAC system. They trap airborne particles and pollutants to improve the air quality in your home. Traditional filters pass air through layers of material that hold onto dust and dander, preventing them from entering your home. An electronic filter, also known as an electrostatic filter, uses a static charge to hold allergens and other particles. The Advantage Air HVAC team shares more about electronic filters to help you decide if one would be a good addition to your home.
How Do Electronic Filters Work?
Electronic filters make use of electrostatic charges to trap tiny air particles. They have a series of plates with opposite electrical charges, attracting dust and other small particles that pass over them, trapping them. All filtered particles will stick to the plates until you clean your filter, preventing these particles from getting into your home’s air supply.
Benefits of Electronic Filters
- Electronic filters offer better filtration than standard disposable ones. They have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values) rate of 8-10, while regular filters have a MERV rate of 1-4. The higher the MERV, the larger the particles the filter can remove from your air.
- Electrostatic filters will save you money over time. This type of filter costs more initially, but it is reusable, so you’ll never have to replace it. You must replace traditional filters every 4-6 weeks, but an electronic filter only needs to be washed.
- They operate more efficiently than disposable air filters. Disposable filters must be thick to offer higher levels of filtration, but pushing air through thick filters makes your HVAC system work harder. Electronic filters provide exceptional filtration while allowing air to pass through easily.
How to Clean Electronic Filters
Cleaning your electronic HVAC filter is essential for its longevity. Cleaning a filter every 30 days may seem tedious, but it’s easy.
- Turn off the power to your HVAC system and electronic filter.
- Wait 30 seconds, then open the access door and remove the filter. Replace the access door while cleaning the filter to prevent any debris from entering the area.
- Use a hose with a high-pressure nozzle to spray the filter. Be sure to spray both sides to flush out all of the contaminants.
- Spray your filter with soap and dishwashing liquid and let it stand for several minutes. You can also soak your electronic filter in a tub with soap and water instead.
- Remove all of the soap with the showerhead or hose.
- Prop your electronic filter up so the drain holes are facing down.
- Dry your filter for 30 minutes or until there is no water visible.
- Place the filter back in your HVAC system.
Electronic Filters Near Lexington, Kentucky
If you’re considering an electronic filter or need filter replacement or repair, call us at (859) 559-6409. Advantage Air HVAC has served the community since 2007, and our team has over 30 years of combined experience. We offer residential, commercial, and geothermal heating & cooling services.
Contact us today to schedule a service appointment. Advantage Air HVAC is in Lexington, Kentucky, and is happy to serve Versailles, Winchester, Georgetown, Paris, Wilmore, Nicholasville, and the surrounding area.
