Where to Buy Air Filters for Heating and Air Conditioning Systems InspectAPedia® -
Air conditioning / heating system filter product sources and recommendations
Air conditioning / heating filter suggestions for optimum indoor air quality
Air conditioning / heating system air handlers - Fan Coil Unit Inspection, Diagnosis, Repair, Replacement
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices,
false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at
InspectAPedia.com/appointment.htm.
This website answers almost any question you might ask about air filters for heating or air conditioning systems.
We explain how an air conditioning service technician will diagnose
certain common air conditioning system failures or defects. We include photographs to assist readers in
recognizing cooling system defects. We continue to add to and update this text as new details are provided.
Sources of Air Conditioning and Heating Air Filters, High Efficiency Filters, Gasketed Air Filters, and Air Filter Manufacturers
Filtration Manufacturing Inc. in Alabama, are a manufacturer/distributor of air filters.
They have a wide selection of air filters (air filtration products) and air purification products. This company can also manufacture and deliver quickly
air filters made to custom dimensions.
Filtration Manufacturing Inc. company has paid particular attention to air filters that don't leak or bypass air at their mounting location.
Their website http://www.filtrationmanufacturing.com/ offers less discussion about filter composition materials than
those who are concerned with filter fiber shedding or filter composition.
Global Filter Source, is a supplier of for non-fiberglass filters such as their polypropylene filter with a supporting grid of wire and cardboard.
Contact Global Filter 877-844-3293 offers "healthy home" filters and a MERV 11 pleated furnace filter. Website: http://www.healthyhomefilters.com/
List your product here: manufacturers or suppliers of air filters and air filtration equipment are welcome
to contact us to add product listings here - there is no listing cost (we reserve the right to add or remove
product listings from our web pages) Technical critique of our website articles is very welcome and we give full
credit and web links to technical reviewers or to contributors of technical content. we have no financial relationship
with companies or products discussed at our website.
Before calling or ordering an air filter online, remember to measure and write down the dimensions of the filters you are replacing in order
to order the correct air filter size.
Other air filtration methods besides air filters
Beyond mechanical filtration methods using high MERV or HEPA rated air filters we've discussed above are other
methods that can reduce airborne particle levels:
Electrostatic air cleaners have been in use on HVAC systems for decades as highly efficient "air filters". These
devices use an electrical charge on metal blades or plates and an electrical charge of opposite polarity on wires between
the plates to cause particles in air moving past the wires to become "charged" and to stick to the surface of the metal plates or blades
in the air cleaner. These electrostatic precipitators may also actually oxidize particles as well.
Ultraviolet light (photo catalytic oxidation) is used in some air handling or duct systems, claiming to kill 99.95 of bacteria and viruses.
While Wikipedia claims that independent research has confirmed this claim, we are very skeptical. For UV light to
work as a sterilizer we need sufficient contact time.
We are doubtful that little particles zooming along in
the air path get enough time in the UV light to be effectively neutralized. However the surfaces in the duct or air handler system
which are exposed to this light are almost certainly being treated effectively. We'd like to see this approach
tested in duct systems where condensate splash-by is at risk of wetting duct surfaces and at risk of a concomitant
mold growth problem in that location.
Charcoal or activated carbon air filters provide a porous material that can remove small particles along with
some volatile organic compounds (VOC's). These are normally used together with a HEPA filtration system.
"Air purifiers" or ionizers that charge their internal electrical surfaces and cause airborne particles to stick
to a collector plate are a currently popular (2006) product which in our opinion are of limited actual effectiveness unless
used in a small, clean, enclosed space. These devices do not move enough cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air
to be effective in a large open space.
"Air cleaners or purifiers" which use ozone, or "ozone generators" have been proposed as air cleaners and as "mold killers"
by the manufacturers of these products.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizer and it may also cause airborne
particles to become electrically charged and to plate out on building surfaces. They are used
effectively to reduce airborne smoke and they're used in some medical applications or facilities.
Some other "air purifiers" may also generate (un-wanted) ozone levels in a building.
But ozone generators can themselves be an IAQ problem source if they produce
high levels (over 0.05 ppm) of ozone in indoor air. And as a "mold remediation" or mold cure ozone generators
are junk science which fails to properly remove the problem mold and fails to correct its cause.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
Thanks to Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, for assistance in technical review of the "Critical Defects"
section and for the photograph of the deteriorating gray Owens Corning flex duct in a hot attic. Mr. Cramer is a Florida home inspector and
home inspection educator.
Thanks to Jon Bolton, an ASHI, FABI, and otherwise certified Florida home inspector who provided photos of failing Goodman gray flex duct in a hot attic.
Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend)
Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).
Wikipedia provided background information about the definition of HEPA and airborne particle interception.
More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs
...
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map 
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map
