There are some important parts of your air conditioners that need to be maintained properly. If you want to take good care of your AC, you should take a look at the filters inside this unit. This filter needs to be cleaned regularly, to function normally. These filters play an important role in most air conditioning units.
 
These filters are going to improve the overall air circulation or airflow in your home. They can trap unwanted particles from the air, for example, dust, pet dander, mold spores, viruses, bacteria, etc. It is recommended for you to check your air filters at least once every 3 – 6 months. Replace them when they are broken or damaged for any reasons. Here are several types of filters that may be available on your air conditioner.
 
The best way to identify the size of filters you will need is to take a look at the current filter in your unit. Along the edges you will see writing that says something along the lines of 16x20x2, 20x20x1, etc.

Many air conditioners are going to use fiberglass filters. They are chosen because they are very affordable for most users. They can be used to reduce the overall installation cost of any air conditioner units in your home. Most affordable AC units are going to use fiberglass as their filters. However, these filters are not effective in trapping very small particles. The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) from these filters is about 1 – 4. They can trap 80 percent of any particles which are larger than 50 microns, but 25 percent of any particles with 3 – 10 microns in size.

This is another category of filters that you can find on the market today and are very popular for people who want high end filtering. The mid-range pleated filters are usually rated between MERV 5 – 8. They are going to trap the majority of small particles, such as airborne pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and any other particles with 5 microns in size. You can find these filters in many AC units across North America. These pleated filters are suitable for you who have mild pet or dust allergies. You can prevent further symptoms of the allergies when using these pleated filters in your home.

Many AC units are going to use electrostatic filters on their units. They are ranging from MERV 2 – 10. Most electrostatic filters usually have self-charging fibers. They will attract particles from the air without tightening the weave around the filters. This system will allow the air to pass through these filters efficiently while making these filters be able to trap any small particles with 1 – 3 microns. Electrostatic filters are suitable for you who want to have better filtration with a good airflow system around your AC units.

​HEPA filters are commonly found in many expensive AC units with a highly efficient system. These HEPA filters come with a MERV rating of 17 – 20. These impressive filters will be able to trap more than 95 percent of small particles, such as viruses, bacteria, asbestos, fine dust, molds, and any other small particles with about 0.3 microns in size. However, these HEPA filters will restrict the airflow drastically.
 
Many other filters are available on the market now. When you are planning to replace the filters on your AC units, you can find your specific filters from nearby home improvement stores, websites, marketplace sites, etc. You will be able to find many different filters from different brands that are popular among many homeowners. Make sure that read the whole reviews from other customers, so you can compare all available filters before choosing the best one for your AC units.
 
When you are planning to replace your filters from your AC units, you can always call us at Highwood Mechanical Contractor, Inc. Our experts can help you determine if you need to replace your air filters in your AC units or not. If you need to find the best filters for your HVAC unit, you can always ask us for our recommendation products. We can give you some recommendations, so you can choose the best air filters for your needs. All of our services are guaranteed to offer the best result for you.

When you are planning to install the best air conditioning system in your home, you are going to have two main choices. They are central air or ductless air conditioning systems. Each system has its benefits and disadvantages for all users. Because of this reason, you may want to compare both products before you decide on the best one for yourself.

This system will treat air at the central location, then it distributes the air to all rooms in your home. It has supply ducts or registers which will carry this cool air to the property. After the air becomes warmer, it will flow back to the system via return ducts system and registers. Some popular brands offer a central AC system for their customers, for example, American Standard, Bryant, Goodman, Heil, Mitsubishi, etc. A central AC system with 2.5 or 3-ton sized units can be suitable for any properties with approx. 1,500 square feet area.
 
Pros
 
If you are planning to keep the whole house cool, you can consider using this central AC system. It will be able to deliver the cool air to all rooms inside your house evenly. You don't need to install several AC units inside your house.
 
Many people are using central AC systems because it is virtually invisible. It will add value to your home when you are concerned about decorating the interior design of your home. This system can be suitable for any rooms with a compact area.
 
It is pretty simple for you to maintain the temperature in your house. There is only one control panel that you can use, so you can achieve your ideal temperature for your rooms. It is very convenient for you to use this control panel for setting up this central AC system.
 
Cons
 
The maintenance cost of this system can be higher than the ductless AC unit. This system requires an annual maintenance procedure, so it can last for a long time. You need to spend some money for these regular maintenance requirements. The air ducts in your house also need to be cleaned at least once every year. Cleaning these air ducts can be used to improve the energy efficiency inside your house.

This system consists of two main components. They are an outdoor compressor and an indoor air-handling unit. Both parts are connected by the conduit. The ductless system will use a slim cable that is located between the box on the wall and the condenser. If you are looking for the best ductless AC units, you can compare some available products from reputable brands. Some reputable brands, such as Daikin, Ameristar, Mitsubishi, Cooper, and Hunter, etc. For an area of 1,400 to 1,500 square feet, you are going to need a ductless AC with 24,000 BTUs.
 
Pros
 
No ductwork involved. It is very easy for you to install this ductless AC unit because you don't need a lot of effort for creating a duct or vents. If you are looking for a convenient way to install AC units in your home, you can consider using this ductless unit.
 
Most ductless AC units are usually more portable and compact than the other central air units. Therefore, you can place these ductless units on your small property. If your house is pretty small, you can consider using these AC units.
 
The ductless AC units tend to perform quieter than the central AC systems. They are also more efficient compared to the other traditional AC units. If you want to look for the best AC system that can cost less in the long run, you can consider buying these units.
 
Ductless units don't need any maintenance procedures. No duct system is involved in this system. Therefore, you don't need to spend your time and money on cleaning this duct system. It can be a huge saving for you.
 
Cons
 
Higher installation cost. When we compared both central air and ductless air conditioning units, you also need to compare the installation cost. Ductless AC units need to be installed by professionals or experts, so they can function normally. The installation cost of these units can be more expensive per time spent on your property than the central air system simply because of the time it takes to install central air.
 
For all your ductless or central air questions, call Highwood Mechanical Contractors, Inc. today!