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Clark Heating and Cooling blog

Clark Heat and Cool is a Phoenix, Arizona based HVAC specialty service company and this blog is to help keep their client, and prospective clients, up to date with changes in the HVAC industry.

What kind of air filter should I buy?

What kind of air filter should I buy?

Great question, because there are a lot of different types of filters out there. The right one for your A/C unit will depend on a few different things:

1. Budget (be careful here, low budget air filters may cost you in the long run)
2. Environment, type of A/C unit
3. Filter size
4. Level of filtration required.

WHAT KINDS OF AIR FILTERS ARE OUT THERE?

1. Fiberglass/Polyester: Disposable and inexpensive, they capture large particles like lint and dust.
2. Pleated: These air filters are disposable and have a larger surface area. This means they can capture more particles than basic fiberglass or polyester filters.
3. Electrostatic Filters: These air filters have electrostatic charges which capture both small and large particles. These offer the highest levels of filtration for small particles.

Home Depot provides this handy reference chart for selecting the proper filter for your home:

 WHAT DO THEY FILTER?

You'll want to know what the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is of your filter. This will tell you what types of particles it will capture. MERV ratings range from 1-20. The higher the rating, the more particles are filtered. Wikipedia.org provides a nice table to make this easier to understand:

HOW OFTEN SHOULD AIR FILTERS BE CHANGED?

The short answer: when they are dirty. Here in Arizona, it's recommended you change your air filters once a month. Some filters can be washed and they won't need to be replaced as often. These types should still be cleaned every month. A/C units work overtime in the desert heat. Keeping them clean and free of dust and dirt lets them run more efficiently and helps reduce the need for costly repairs. Clean filters will also keep your air indoors free of contaminants.

We recommend having your air conditioning and furnace units serviced on a regular basis. To schedule an appointment, please call Clark Heating & Cooling at 602.793.2477 or fill out our service request form.
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New A/C Service Technician
Pinterest-ing Your A/C Unit
Great Company. I have them service my systems and they have added items to make my systems work better. Highly recommend them
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Ivan was very professional and helpful. I am sure he is an asset for your company. Waiting to hear from you. Thank you. Susie Y .
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I am so happy to know there really is a business that believes in fair and quality service. Where I work needed help, we had an honest and reliable...
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Two employees came and checked the air conditioner/heat. One mostly upstairs and one inside the condo. Could not ask for better, knowing what they...
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