ANSWERS: 1
  • Window air conditioners and central air conditioning systems do need a filter. Filters remove many of the annoying particles present in your home and office. A good filter in your window air conditioner or heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system helps to keep your indoor environment healthy.

    Pollutants

    Small particulate matter ranging from 0.3 to 100 microns circulates through the air in homes and office buildings. These pollutants include smoke, smog, pet dander, dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mite debris and bacteria.

    Significance

    Circulating particulate matter may cause allergy and asthma symptoms to flare. Immunocompromised people, the elderly and the very young may become ill due to indoor circulation of bacteria and virus particles.

    Prevention/Solution

    Installing a microparticle or allergen-reduction electrostatic filter helps to trap both very small and larger particles. Relative effectiveness of electrostatic filters depends on their minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV rating.

    Considerations

    The American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a MERV rating of six for air conditioning filters. This kind of air conditioning filter can trap many of the smallest particles circulating indoors.

    Warning

    Change the air conditioning filter as recommended by the manufacturer or more often if you see a buildup of particles. A dirty filter impedes air flow and reintroduces the pollutants back into the indoor environment.

    Source:

    American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers website

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