An air filter is a porous, rectangular device that protects your AC unit from dust, particles, and other debris. This filter is located behind the grill, typically on the ceiling or at the base of a wall. Depending on the type of AC system you have, the sizes can vary, ranging from 0.5 inches to 5 inches or more in width. Examples of common types of air filters include pleated, poly, and fiberglass. Without air filters, your indoor air quality can reach extremely poor levels, which causes humid or stuffy environments, poor air flow, and even damaged components of the system.
The First Air Filters
The idea of air filters was born in the early 19th century after the industrial revolution. The need for air filters arose during this time when factories released smoke and other toxic chemicals into the air causing health hazards to others. The solution to protect the machinery and those who worked on it was a cloth cover or mask that trapped the airborne dust and pollutants. Just as modern air filters protect our HVAC systems today, this cloth-cover protected the machinery from particles or toxins that could damage it.
Continuing Innovations in Air Filters
Like most great inventions, the filter transformed into a device that normal civilians use every day. The idea of simply protecting the machine’s operation shifted into an idea of purifying the air indoors by the mid-20th century. During World War II, an air filter was designed to prevent the permeation of radioactive dust particles. This filter was the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, formed by the Atomic Energy Commission. It was the landmark that made filters accessible not just in commercial settings but also residential, improving the air quality of indoor spaces.
Importance of Keeping Filters Clean
As filtration and HVAC technology have made ongoing advancements, air filters have become available at almost any HVAC company. As a vital part of your system’s cooling/heating process, be sure to keep your filter clean! For convenience, here at Air Integrity HVAC, we offer in-store access to purchase various filters that are either poly or pleated.