Air conditioners are a great way to keep your home cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. But did you know that they can also filter the air in your home? All air conditioners have a dust filter in the indoor unit, which traps dust in the air as it circulates, mainly to prevent it from obstructing the inner workings. In addition, some air conditioners come with advanced filters that can help purify the air and keep you safe from allergens and bacteria. Household air filters protect your HVAC system, but they can be harmful if you don't change them regularly.
Replacing your home's air filter can also save you money on energy bills, as your HVAC doesn't have to work as hard to push air through a clean filter. Almost all portable air conditioners come standard with pre-filters, which reduce large microbes, dust and pet hair. You can wash and reuse these pre-filters and it's rare that they need to be changed. However, pre-filters are not an effective solution for people with asthma and allergies, nor do they eliminate unwanted odors from the air.
Silver ion filters, such as those offered for the EdgeStar AP12001S, effectively create an allergy- and asthma-friendly environment by purifying and cleaning the air. Silver ion filters are very effective in eliminating bacteria and preventing the growth of microbes such as spores, viruses and fungi. They also remove pet dander, dust and pollen from the air, creating clean, comfortable and breathable air. It is recommended that you replace the silver ion filter in your AP12001S every three to six months to keep the unit's cooling and cleanliness at its maximum potential.
Activated carbon filters chemically absorb pollutants, impurities and odors from the air. These filters are ideal for users who smoke, have pets, or want to eliminate chemical odors from the air, such as those found in common household cleaners. Carbon filters cannot be reused, but they are replaceable and are offered at an affordable price in packs of five. Antimicrobial air filters inhibit the growth of some microorganisms while completely removing air from others.
Antimicrobial filters have a unique microstructure and electrostatic charge that capture dust, lint, smoke, mold and pollen. Electrostatic charging draws more microorganisms out of the air than just a standard filter, and the complex fiber matrix keeps these airborne particles trapped in the filter. Similarly, 3M air filters have an electrostatic charge and a complex microstructure that captures dust, lint, smoke, mold and pollen. The 3M air filter is a less expensive option than the antimicrobial air filter, but it is also less effective at capturing smaller microbes. However, you will still enjoy purified air with a high airflow and you can maintain a clean and allergy-friendly home. The best way to filter very fine particles such as smoke, mold spores, pollen and viruses is with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is found in many vacuum cleaners and most air purification units but not in air conditioners.
Ionization filters can remove at least some of the smoke but generally the claims of these filters focus on removing fine dust, mold spores, odors, allergens and germs. The Filtrete room air conditioner filter helps clean and filter the air in the window air conditioner as you cool it. We measure how well an air filter removes dust, pollen and smoke from the air and see how freely air flows through the filter at any fan speed. You can choose the amount of filtration you need and get a replacement air filter that's perfect for your home. In most cases, a standard filter cannot be replaced with a true HEPA filter because the ductwork is not designed for it. However, this 3M filter for your air conditioner features an easy to cut to size installation that can work with virtually any room air conditioner. Typically, you should change cheaper fiberglass filters every 30 days and higher quality pleated filters every 60 to 90 days.
Air is forced through the filter (or filters) and the filter material traps contaminants before they can circulate around your home. In conclusion, using an advanced filter in your portable or window AC unit is one of the best ways to ensure clean filtered air in your home. Silver ion filters are very effective in eliminating bacteria while activated carbon filters chemically absorb pollutants, impurities and odors from the air. Antimicrobial filters have a unique microstructure that captures dust while 3M filters have an electrostatic charge that captures dust particles. Finally, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are ideal for filtering very fine particles such as smoke while ionization filters can remove at least some of the smoke.
