An Overview Of Air Filters

The decrease in the quality of indoor air, which is present inside our homes, has become a major cause for concern. The air in most homes contains various kinds of particles, which are harmful to human health. Dead skin, animal dander, dust particles, dirt and grime, and various other harmful particulates are present in indoor air, which can cause allergic reaction, hay fever, breathing problems, and other medical problems in people.

People use various kinds of filtration systems in their homes, to get rid of all such disease causing particulates. But do you know what is actually working inside these purification systems to clean your indoor air? It is a device known as an air filter.

Air Filters Explained

An air filter is a device that is used for getting rid of particulates from the air. The air is filled with different kinds of particulate, which are often invisible to the eye. But have you ever looked at a ray of sunshine coming in through the window, and seen various particles floating in the beam. Well, these are known as particulates, and these are what an air filter removes from the air.

Air filters are not stand alone devices, but are used inside other types of air devices in homes. There are many different types of air filters available for different uses, and also have varying efficiencies and qualities.

The efficiency of an air filter determines how clean it can make the air. For instance, air filters can have efficiency rates ranging from 80% filtration of particulates and going up to 99% efficiency in cleaning the air. The quality of an air filter will determine what size of particulates it can effectively remove from the air.

Types Of Air Filters

• Electrostatic air filters: Such air filters have charged layers of filtration material, which could be made from polypropylene, fiber, etc. These negatively charged filters attract the positively charged air particles and trap the particles in the air filter, thus removing them from the air. They can typically clean the air of particles as small as 1 micron, which is equal 1/25,000 of an inch. Such air filters are very efficient in removing particulates from the air.
• Permanent air filters: A permanent air filter is installed inside the air cleaning device and is used for filtration of the air that passes into the air cleaning system for purification. These filters can be cleaned and reused. If maintained properly, they can last you for many years.
• Disposable air filters: As the name implies, this is a use-and-throw kind of air filter. These air filters usually have a pre-determined life span, ranging from one to three months, after which they have to be discarded and a new filter is used in place of the old one.

An air filter is an essential device that helps to keep the air free from particulates, and you free from bad air health induced problems.