Wholesale Air Filters serving all of Rhode Island – Where the Pros Go!

Air conditioners: A machine that many say is one of man’s greatest inventions. And undoubtedly one of the more costly ones. Air conditioners range from the smaller window units to industrial-sized, but one thing is common in all of them: They require a filter and proper maintenance to stay functional.

Air conditioners pull air from the outside, in. Filters help clean that outside air and make it clean from pollutants such as dirt, debris, and pet hair. After a while these pollutants build up on the air filter and not just diminish the air quality, but make the machine work harder. That means decreasing energy efficiency, running up your electric bill, and a not-so-cooled home or office. Uncleaned, dirty filters constantly circulate nasty things like pollen, dust mites, and other allergens, meaning poor air quality for you and others to breathe. After too long, the machine’s hard work will catch up with it and require costly repairs or even complete replacement.

How often should air filters be changed? It requires on a few factors of the environment, such as weather and the presence of pets. Most professionals recommend a fresh, new filter every one to two months, but if shedding pets or excess dust is present, more frequent changes may be required. In a home that isn’t inhabited year-round, such as a vacation home or even a single occupant, six to twelve months is ideal.

What kind of air filter should I use? Different air filters exist for different needs.

  • FIBERGLASS- The fiberglass filter is constructed of layers of fiberglass with a metal grate reinforcement. These are the most common air filters available, and are fairly cheap. The layers filter out debris and hair and the grate prevents collapse.
  • POLYESTER AND PLEATED- Similar to fiberglass filters, these are simply made of polyester but have a higher resistance to airflow. They are noted for their superior dust-stopping abilities.
  • HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) FILTERS- The US Department of Energy and their contractors use HEPA filters that meet their standards. They filter 99.97 percent of all particles.
  • WASHABLE FILTERS- Used more in industrial environments, they rely on the build-up of dust along the cloth the improve efficiency of the filter. Coarse dust is ideal for these.

If you’re unsure what filter you need, when to change it, or want help from air conditioning professionals, contact us at Furnace and Duct. We’ll be glad to help you make your AC unit work at it’s finest!