Remove old filter. Replace with new. These instructions seem simple enough, but changing your furnace filter is more complicated than one might hope. For example, measurements are not precise, to ensure a fit in more furnaces, so that can be a frustration.
But perhaps the most confusing part about it is the variety of options in furnace filters. There are electrostatic filters, pleated filters, HEPA filters, and others. So what’s a homeowner to do? Start by learning the difference between furnace filter types and then make an educated decision on which is right for your needs.
One type of filter that is increasingly sought after is the electrostatic filter. The electrostatic filter combines two technologies of filtration, for an increased capacity to clean particles from the air.
In the electrostatic furnace filter, mechanical air filtration results from the weave of the fibers and static electricity helps draw and hold particles that might otherwise escape. This combination is effective in another way as well. Because it does not rely solely on a tight weave or layers of weaves to filter particles, the electrostatic function allows for larger weaves, resulting in better air flow.
Rather than allowing the particles that fit easily through the weave to get past it, the static electricity manages to hold much of the dust that passes by. This means that the heater or air conditioner you are using the filter for can operate to its full potential, saving you money and improving your ability to moderate the temperature in your home.
