| The heating and air conditioning system in your | | | | their design. Since they have ridges this gives |
| home is extremely important since it maintains a | | | | more area for the particles to become trapped in. |
| constant livable temperature for you. But as | | | | Some of these varieties are also electro statically |
| important as the entire system is the lifeblood of | | | | charged, as well. |
| the unit is the furnace air filter. There are many | | | | Special varieties, such as activated carbon, uses |
| different makes and models available and each | | | | the same technology as a face mask. It screens |
| kind is set up to give you a different benefit. | | | | and absorbs fumes, odors and chemicals from |
| Here is how the filter works. Room temperature | | | | entering your home. Besides the standard |
| air is pulled into the furnace by an intake. The air | | | | allergens, some are also designed to pick up |
| is either cooled or heated, depending on the | | | | ozone material and VOCs or volatile organic |
| system you have on at the time and then the air | | | | compounds. These are gases that are emitted |
| is forced into the home. | | | | from certain liquids or solids. |
| The air has to pass through a filter before being | | | | Maintenance of your furnace air filter is |
| dispersed into the home. With some heating | | | | mandatory. If it is a model that can rinsed off and |
| systems, the filter is placed in the path of the air | | | | reused then this needs to be done on a regular |
| pulled in to be warmed. This is an efficient way of | | | | basis. |
| cleaning particles out of the air and making it | | | | If you have a model that is disposable, meaning |
| cleaner and easier to breathe. | | | | you can only use it once, then it should be |
| The type of furnace air filter you choose will | | | | routinely replaced when it becomes dirty. |
| depend on what you are looking for. An | | | | Continuing to use a furnace air filter that is filthy |
| electrostatic model is permanent and has an | | | | will not only cause the air quality to be diminished, |
| electric charge built in that attracts particles from | | | | but it will cause the system to work much harder |
| the air and traps them. These are great for | | | | by forcing air through a barrier and increase your |
| people with breathing difficulties. | | | | heating costs. |
| Pleated models are very effective because of | | | | |