Air Filters for Commercial Buildings
What You Need to Know
Nowadays, staying healthy has never been so important. One of the first things that is often overlooked is the air people breathe. Although having clean air is important in residential homes, we will go over some of the ins and outs of clean air filters for commercial structures. It is ideal for any business owner to keep their place of business nice and clean for their customers. Since the HVAC system and ductwork are usually unseen, it can be easy to forget. However, it is essential to clean or replace your air filters on a regular basis. Here at CMC Corporate Solutions, we recommend that you look at the wide range of choices when it comes to air filters. Each one can give you something different according to your needs. Let’s go over some of the benefits that will come with regular maintenance, air filter alternatives and tips to maximizing your AC units.
Air Filters and Your Commercial HVAC System
Choosing the right type of air filter is important. Make sure that you consult with your technician or manufacturer to figure out which type of air filter would work best for your HVAC model. Depending on the layout of your business, the HVAC models can vary in sizes. Stores that have a large layout will want to invest in an industrial size HVAC unit. Since these are bigger than your standard sizes, the commercial HVAC units will be installed on top of the roof. When you’re browsing for your air filters, you will find three options available. These options will include fiberglass, polyester, and pleated filters and HEPA filters.
The Different Types of Air Filters
The HEPA acronym will stand for high efficiency particulate arrestance. This type of alternative works by filtering out the air as it passes through with a fine scale. These filters are ideal to help those who are sensitive to allergens and other pollutants. Fiberglass filter is the most common type of air filter that you’ll find in homes and businesses. This is a filter that should be thrown away once it is time for the replacement. The fiberglass filter is designed with interlocking fibers that lap one over the other, which creates a mesh filtered design. It can also be reinforced with metal grating.
More Options for Your Air Filters
Another option can include polyester and pleated filters. Although these choices are similar to fiberglass filters, these alternatives can offer you a higher resistance for airflow with the added feature of an enhanced ability to stop dust particles from passing through the filter. One last type of air filter that you could see in the market is a washable air filter. The washable filters are not as common as other types of filters and work in a different fashion, which is relying upon dust buildup along the material for maximum efficiency.
What is MERV?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. In a nutshell, this means the effectiveness of your air filter. These ratings can range from 1 – 16. The way it works is that a higher MERV rating means that fewer dust contaminants are able to pass through the filter itself. However, even though this is a good thing, a higher rating will also mean less air passing through the filter, which will lead the HVAC system to work harder. Lower MERV ratings won’t be as effective in stopping dust particles as they make their way through the filtered material. Moreover, airflow will have an easier time going through the filter. This will take the workload off the HVAC unit. High MERV ratings are usually used by medical facilities or hospitals as the filter works hard to keep the building clean and sanitary. Ideally, you can split the difference in ratings and invest in an air filter that has a mid to high MERV rating.
Quality Air Makes a Difference
Is a quality air filter necessary? Yes, having an air filter that can trap dust particles effectively is vital to keeping a clean working environment. Otherwise, you could be looking at an array of problems with a poor-quality air filter. A filter that is not optimized for your system can cause a strain on your cooling unit. You may even start to notice an increase on your HVAC repairs. Another problem is the air itself. Within time, dust can begin to build up and back up within the ductwork. This can lead to bacteria, mold and other dangerous particles if you don’t clean your duct system. Rest assured that by investing in a quality air filter, you’ll be able to avoid all these problems.
When to Change Your Air Filters
It is important to change or clean your filters on a regular basis. By doing this, you’ll be able to keep your HVAC system optimized for the best performance possible. Although each HVAC system is unique and could require different maintenance procedures, it is recommended that you replace your filters once a month. However, other units can require a replacement once every three months. If this is the case, cleaning or washing your filter can be an option. If your system does require a filter cleaning, you can usually do this by running warm water through the filter. Remember to always use low water pressure to prevent any damages to the filter mesh. You can also check your filters for any significant amount of dust buildup. The last thing you want is to have a clogged-up air filter.
Great Results for Your Place of Business
If you’re looking to invest in an air filter for your commercial grade HVAC system, make sure that you follow these tips. You can also consider CMC Corporate Solutions for all your cooling and heating needs. You can rest easy knowing that we will offer affordable prices on all our products and services. Our techs are trained professionals and will be able to complete any type of commercial HVAC job, including repairs, installations and more. Our main goal is to have your HVAC units running smoothly without any problems.
