Home air filters work to clean the air of harmful pollutants such as chemical, dander from pets, dust, and odors. The devices use a series of filters and purify the air by trapping contaminants within the filters whereas a fan then blows clean air out. Maintaining these home air filters becomes a key to the dispensable clean air you breathe indoors. Here are some pointers for effectively maintaining the device.
Cleaning Pre-filters
Composed entirely of foam or nylon, pre-filters are often placed first in a series of multi-layered filtration system. They are able to block the majority of large particles contaminating the air. The pre-filters can be washed once a month which is a healthy schedule for their maintenance in the long-run.
Maintaining Electrostatic Air Purifiers
Electrostatic home air filters use metal plates to trap particles on to them. The plates become dirty with use over time. The dirtier the plate become, lower the efficiency of the system is to clean the air. Inexpensive and easy to maintain, the home air filters utilizing these only need to be washed regularly. The plates can be taken out of the system and then submerged in water or placed in the dishwasher.
Replacing Carbon filters
Carbon filters are able to absorb odors; however they become ineffective over time and need to replaced with new ones. Though they are considerably inexpensive, they have to be replaced after six months of use in most of the environments. Some of the home air filters also use carbon filters as pre-filters, making it easy to replace the number of filters users have to replace.
Checking up on Your HEPA Filter
It is interesting to know that all reliable home air filters rely on the effectiveness of a true HEPA filter, the HEPA filter themselves are dependent on the working of the pre-filter. The reason is that without a properly cleaned pre-filter, a HEPA filter will become clogged and redundant as large particles will obstruct it, and hence prevent it from operating to its full potential.
HEPA filters are by best the most expensive to replace; therefore, it is essential that you keep the pre-filter clean as advised to make sure that HEPA filter lasts longer. Surprisingly, many air purifier systems these days often inform you beforehand with indicators when a filter requires a change. Some even state the time before a particular filter needs to be replaced.
Final Word
An air cleaner using multiple home air filters is only as effective as its care and maintenance. The air around us contains large amount of contaminants and fine particles . Over a period of time home air filters become dirty and need to be washed while some need to be replaced altogether. It is important that such maintenance schedules are followed to ensure maximum amount of safe and healthy air circulating within our indoors.
