I get this question, all the time.
David, how often should I change or replace my return air filters or clean them? We all know, what a Return Air Filter is. Right? Actually, some clients of mine, have no idea what a return Air Filter is. Much less, some, have never changed one or cleaned one. I am amazed how often, people do not even know, what a Return Air Filter is or even, how to change one. Typically, you will see a grill or protective barrier over the Return Air Filter. To educate others, I am going to talk about the Return Air Filters in the home and how often should you either clean them or replace them. Wait a minute. David, did you say clean them? I sure did. In the photo, you will see 2 kinds of filters. 1 is an Electrostatic filter, that you just wash and clean under your tap water with soap and water. Some people, even put them in the dishwasher. I would not advise this but if you do put it in the dishwasher, do not put it on the hot setting and do not steam it or put your dishwasher in the sanitize mode. Personally, I just wash my Electrostatic Filters under the tap water. You can buy the Electrostatic Filter for under $50.00 each, the last I checked. Some people like them and others do not. The other filter you see in the photo is a regular filter that is replaceable, that has carbon in it. Personally, I replace my filters about every month. It really depends on so many factors. Such as, do you have pets? How many live in the home. How often do you vacuum the carpet? Do you take your shoes off, before entering the home, outside or inside the home? I also, know others, who do not even know what a Return Filter is and this means educating the client and the importance of either replacing the Air Filter or washing the Electrostatic Filter. Look at your home and the cleanliness of it to determine how often you want to change yours.
How many return air filters, do you have in your home? Some people do not even know, how many they have. If you have one, change it. If you have 2, change them out, unless you have decided to go with a one-time purchase of an Electrostatic Air Filter.
The blue light, you see in the photo is an Ultra Violet Light. I have one in my home and I also have a box under my house with a Hepa Filter as well as the air going through a series of filters. Some people state The U.V. Light kills,t kill bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Mold. If you decide to buy an UltraViolet light, I would not advise, looking at the bulb directly, when the light bulb is turned on or when it is lit.
Yearly, get some soap and water and wipe down the inside of the filter return areas. If it is so bad that you need to vacuum, make sure your Vacuum Cleaner has a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner. Who knows why?
My name is David Snell, and I help others, all over the United States with questions, many have about Water Damage Issues and Mold Issues in the home or place of work. Water Damage Charlotte
Mold Removal Charlottehttp://www.gotmoldwehavethecure.com
In business since 1987 and I am owner operator, with assistants. I am the owner and operator. I am not a frachise. Wink.
David Snell
704-545-0098
Comments(4)