An air filter is an underrated and vital component in any HVAC system. Because the air filter is tucked out of sight and relatively inexpensive, it tends to get overlooked. Many American families have a pet living in their homes, and this introduces pet dander and hair into their environment. All pet owners will understand this phenomenon, and cleaning up after your pet can be a challenge. We cannot stop the pet from shedding hair and fur, but we can take steps to prevent or limit the negative effects in other areas. In this article, we will take a closer look at the relationship between air filters and pets in more detail.
What is the True Purpose of an Air Filter?
Most people attempting to answer this question would say that an air filter is designed to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) in their homes or businesses. But, this is only a secondary function, and a standard air filter would be no replacement for a dedicated air purification system or a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. The main purpose of an air filter is to protect the sensitive components in the HVAC system from damage.
The heating and cooling equipment relies on a steady supply of air to work at optimal efficiency. If the air filter is clogged, it will degrade the performance, and the equipment must work harder to force the air through the filter. There are two main consequences. First, the components are more likely to fail, leading to an expensive repair bill. Second, the overworked equipment will consume more energy leading to higher bills.
How Often Should an Air Filter be Cleaned or Replaced?
The owner’s manual for your HVAC system will have full details on how and when you need to clean or replace the air filters. This may vary depending on the exact make and model that you have, and the filter housing access may differ slightly. If you’ve misplaced the owner’s manual and you’re not sure how to proceed, there are a few things to remember.
- Inspect the air filter at least once per month and check for dirt, dust, and pet dander that may be clogging the filter pores.
- When you replace the air filter, choose the right size, and you can find the model number printed on the filter rim.
- Purchase air filters in bulk to ensure that you have spares on hand and that you save money on each filter.
- Set a reminder on your preferred device or planner to make sure that you check the air filter regularly.
Keeping the air filter clean and clear can help you to prevent a lot of potential problems in your home.
What About Changing Air Filters with Pets in My Home?
As a pet owner, you’re probably used to spending time sweeping and vacuuming up pet hair from carpets, rugs, and other soft furnishings. This reduces the volume of pet hair that’s circulated through the home, but it will not solve the problem. Another aspect of pet ownership is the accumulation of dust caused by the shedding of skin cells. Just like a human, many pets shed skin every day, and this material circulates in our air. The HVAC system circulates these contaminants throughout the home, and they pass through the air filter multiple times every day.
When you start to check the air filter regularly, you will notice that they clog quickly with dust, dirt, hair, and pet dander. A good quality air filter can help to make the home as allergy-free and fur-free as possible. There are air filters that are specifically designed to handle pet hair and fur, and they tend to have different lifespans printed on the rim. But, even an enhanced air filter will need more frequent cleaning due to the extra pet hair. The frequency of the filter changes will increase with every pet added after the first. If you have a lot of pets, you may be surprised at the frequency of air filter changes in your home. Certain pets with long hair will tend to shed more frequently, and this may affect the filter change frequency when compared to a home with the same number of short hair pets.
So, now that we’ve established the importance of regular air filter checks, we need to state that pet owners need to check them more frequently. It’s hard to give an exact filter change frequency interval because every home and the pets will differ. The best way to handle this problem is to check the air filter every month, then every three weeks, and so on. Eventually, you will find a sweet spot when the air filter is only slightly clogged, and that is the optimal filter change frequency for your home.
How Do I Choose an Air Filter?
Air filters are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and capabilities. As a pet owner, you need to choose a unit that fits your HVAC system and needs. There are three general types of air filter that you may want to consider:
1. Standard (Cheap) Air Filters
These are disposal air filters, they have a lower MERV rating, and if you use these units you may be spending too much. Why? Well, these poor quality filters are inexpensive, but they don’t last long, and you may be changing them weekly.
2. HEPA Filters
These are great air filters for allergy sufferers and pet owners that want cleaner air. As an added bonus, HEPA filters remove other contaminants that degrade the IAQ, including bacteria, pollen, mold, and more. These air filters are sometimes reusable, and those models can be washed, which makes them more affordable.
3. Electronic Air Filters
These filters attract pet hair and other particulates using static electricity. These are effective, but the downside is that they have a high upfront cost. An electronic air filter isn’t a good choice for people with allergies and pre-existing respiratory ailments because they don’t remove many bacteria or other pollutants.
If you want to improve your IAQ, contact your local HVAC specialist today.