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A Close Look At Vent Filters

air vent fitting

Whether your house has an HVAC central air system or simply a window-mounted or compact unit, you understand that replacing your filter on a regular basis is critical for the unit’s prolonged effectiveness. But do you have any idea regarding a system that relies on ducts and vents? For that, there are alternative ways of keeping dust and dirt out of your home.

For the last several years, vent filters have grown highly popular as a way to “double-down” on filtering to make sure that your house is dust, debris, and allergen-free. Usually, most of the vent filters are created to be a bit less efficient than HVAC filters in terms of overall effectiveness but powerful enough to stop bigger dirt particles, restrict insects from crawling inside, and make it simple to retrieve tiny things dropped inside the vent.

To learn further about vent filters and their function, read this article. It will provide you with more insight into this technology.

Understanding Air Filters

Vent filters are intended to be installed inside an air vent’s grating. Air vents are typically made of flexible fiber, foam, or fabric that can be extended to fill a cut or opening to fit perfectly within a duct.

Vent filters are different from HVAC filters when it comes to the number of filters you need to use. You’ll need a lot of vent filters to filter your home properly. HVAC filters are located directly outside a home’s central air system, requiring all circulating air to flow through the filter prior to going inside the system. Vent filters, on the other hand, provide the last level of filtration by passing the air that has already been treated through the filtering material. Unless you want to place vent filters in places where the quality of air seems to be more critical, like in a bedroom or living room, you’ll require as many vent filters as there are vents. For additional air purification, you can even use an air purifier.

However, if both HVAC filters and vent air filters are put to use in combination, they will turn out to be highly efficient and effective. It is because the air will first pass through the HVAC filter before entering the ducts, and in the end, it will pass through the vent filter before entering your room. So, the air filtering process becomes twice more effective in such a case.

Vent filters, like HVAC filters, will need replacement from time to time as the dust they remove from the air causes them to become clogged with time.

Vent filters may also be detached from the system for collecting objects that you may have dropped or fallen into the system, making vent filters a savior for little valuables like rings.

Air Filter: Working Explained

Let’s take a closer look at the working of the vent filter; however, we’ve just touched on it briefly.

Vent filters provide an extra layer of protection by preventing contaminants from spreading in the air you inhale through your home’s central air system.

While the HVAC system will filter away many of these contaminants, the vent filters will help make it even cleaner. Vent filters are normally stretched or cut to suit the size of each vent of the HVAC system. They are usually installed externally on the vent.

They serve as the final point of contact for air entering your house, as well as the last chance to clean or filter it before it reaches your breathing space.

Despite being installed externally, you can hide the filter by putting the duct’s grate over the vent again once the filter is installed.

It may be difficult to comprehend how a basic cloth-like foam or fiber can successfully cleanse the air, but the procedure is actually rather straightforward. The air is pumped out of the central air system and into your house.

The air will be properly filtered as it passes through the system before coming into contact with the vent filters at the very end. The air will go through the cloth or fiber that is obstructing the vent as it is forced out through the system.

Contaminants such as dust, on the other hand, will not be able to travel through the fabric. Because the contaminants have gotten caught in the filter, only pure air will be allowed to enter your home.

This happens at every filter-equipped vent, ensuring that the air entering your house is fully clean and healthy.

Are Vent Filters Effective Enough?

We now understand how vent filters actually work and function, but the main question is whether or not they are effective.

The short answer is that vent filters do function to a degree. They may eliminate contaminants from your air system, resulting in cleaner air entering your house than if you didn’t employ vent filters.

In contrast to other sorts of filters, the vent filters aren’t nearly as effective. A MERV rating is used to assess filters. The filter’s capacity to collect bigger particles is measured by this acronym, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values.

Vent filters are seldom included in the MERV grading scale, demonstrating their inefficiency. They can, however, deliver cleaner air when used in conjunction with your HVAC filter.

So, while vent filters do function, they may not be the greatest solution if you want extremely pure air.

Conclusion

Overall, we can conclude that vent filters operate and accomplish their duty of eliminating contaminants from the air that reaches inside your home via the central air system.

They are, however, not the most efficient means of air filtration.

While vent filters provide a number of advantages, such as stopping tiny things from falling from entering the air system and preventing pests from crawling inside your home via the vents, they aren’t the ideal air filtering solution.

So, prior to installing vent filters, examine the HVAC filter properly if you believe that contaminated air is entering your home. You may also have custom air filters made to your specifications.

Order now from US Home Filter and receive FREE SHIPPING on your order!

Selecting the filters that are right for your office or commercial building can be both difficult and confusing at times. At US Home Filter we understand this, which is why we offer an experienced staff to help answer any questions you may have. For personal assistance with your air filter needs, please contact us now online or call us at (855) 237-1673 and we will do our very best to assist you in selecting the right filter for your individual needs. We want to earn your business and we guarantee your satisfaction! Take advantage of our quality products, vast selection, low prices, and enjoy FREE SHIPPING on every air filter order within the Contiguous USA.

 

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12x24x1 Home Air Filters

The 12x24x1 air filter is a standard sized air filter and can be found at most retail and hardware stores. By definition, “standard sized” means the air filter is cut nominally with a 1/2″ undercut following industry standards. It is quite easy to forget about your home’s air filters as they are usually hidden away behind closed doors. However, regular maintenance is an absolute must not only for comfort but also for HVAC system safety. Changing your 12x24x1 air filter on a regular basis:

  • Increases indoor comfort
  • Improves your home’s IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
  • Protects HVAC equipment from damage
  • Decreases home energy bills
  • Improves heating and cooling efficiency

How does your 12x24x1 filter work?

12x24x1 Air Filters Clean Indoor Air

12x24x1 air filters

The EPA reports that indoor air pollution is one of the top 5 of environmental health risks. A home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) decreases when airborne particulates/matter enter and circulate in the indoor air. Improper ventilation and increased temperature and humidity levels also worsen IAQ. On top of those factors, there are many other indoor air pollution sources that are abundant in our everyday lives. A few examples are scented candles, spray air fresheners, printers, cooking fumes, smoke from cigarettes/cigars and fires, as well as drapes/carpet/furniture.

Increasing Your Home’s IAQ

An HVAC systems main job is to bring outdoor air inside and circulate it throughout the home. It is during this circulation process that the outdoor air is forced to pass through the air filter. 12x24x1 air filters trap any dust, particles and debris that is in the outdoor air therefore allowing clean air to circulate through the home. The particulates that are trapped include:

  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Human hair
  • Pet dander
  • Dust
  • Dust mites
  • Vapors, odors, gasses
  • Organic waste
  • Carpet/fabric fibers
  • Smoke and emissions
  • Microbiological growth

Reducing these indoor air pollution sources protects your home’s IAQ. It also allows the 12x24x1 air filter to capture pollutants more efficiently and effectively that would otherwise enter the air you breathe. Air filters should be changed regularly (every 1-3 months according to manufacturer’s directions) to make sure your home always has the cleanest indoor air possible.

12x24x1 Air Filters Protect HVAC Systems

Not only do air filters protect indoor air quality, but they also protect HVAC equipment from damage. Regular HVAC maintenance includes changing your air filters on a regular basis. In doing so, you prevent dust and debris from building up on the motor and wires, mold growth and even permanent damage. Water pools around the evaporator coils/condensate lines and holes and/or leaks in the equipment can also cause equipment damage if left unfixed. A new 12x24x1 air filter will prevent damage to these pricy components:

  • Thermostats
  • Flame sensors
  • Blower motors
  • Fire exchangers

How to Improve IAQ:

  1. Regular cleaning: Dust, sweep and vacuum on a regular basis. Make sure to vacuum floors and carpets AND blinds and vents as well.
  2. Reduce indoor pollution sources: Hardwood floors are the better option over carpet when it comes to reducing indoor air pollution. Keep your windows free of heavy curtains and instead choose open and natural light. Regularly check around your home for any leaks/holes and patch them up to prevent outdoor pollution from creeping into your home. In doing so, less stress will be put on your 12x24x1 air filter and improve your home’s IAQ.
  3. Pets: Pets are a source of indoor air pollution for multiple reasons. Pet hair and dander (dead skin cells from an animal) quickly becomes a problem if pets aren’t brushed/bathed regularly. Your fur baby’s paws track in dirt, debris, pollen, and dander from outside so wiping your pet’s paws after coming in the house will help. If possible, try to keep your pets off furniture and out of bedrooms. Also be sure to wash blankets and floors regularly to keep the dander at bay.
  4. Dust allergies: Dust and other particulates in the air can aggravate respiratory sensitivities in those that suffer from seasonal allergies and/or asthma. Clean indoor air is essential to help those that are sensitive stay comfortable and healthy.

US Home Filter Carries AC Filters to Fit All HVAC Units

No matter which HVAC system you have, every unit needs a quality filter that fits properly to keep your indoor air quality clean and your heat running at its maximum efficiency this Fall and Winter. US Home Filter can supply you with the best and most efficient HVAC filter available! Changing the filter is as important as changing the oil in your car and US Home Filter makes filters that fit all AC/HVAC units. From standard to custom air filters, to whole-house filtersgrille filters and humidifier filters, we have all of your filter needs covered!

Order now from US Home Filter and receive FREE SHIPPING on your order!

Selecting the filters that are right for your home can be difficult and confusing at times. At US Home Filter we understand this, which is why we offer an experienced staff to help answer any questions you may have. For personal assistance with your air filter needs, please contact us now online or call us at (855) 237-1673 and we will do our very best to assist you in selecting the right filter for your individual needs. We want to earn your business and we guarantee your satisfaction! Take advantage of our quality products, vast selection, low prices, and enjoy FREE SHIPPING on every air filter order within the Contiguous USA.