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AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
AGE of AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART
AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS
AIR CONDITIONER TYPES, ENERGY SOURCES
AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
  Air Filter Location
  Dirty Air Filter Problems
  Missing Air Filters
 OPTIMUM INDOOR AIR FILTERS
  Air Filter Efficiency
  Optimum Air Filter Design / Location
  How to Cascade Air Filters
 CONTINUOUS BLOWER FAN OPERATION
 AIR FILTER EFFECTIVENESS
  MERV, HEPA Definitions
  MERV Air Filter Ratings
  How Air Filters Work
  Particle Sizes & IAQ
  Gasketed air filters
  Debris in Return Air Plenum
  Washable air filters
 AIR FILTERING STRATEGIES
 FIBERGLASS & AIR FILTERS
  Air Filters Shed Fibers?
  Fiberglass & Test Lab Accuracy
  Variations in Fiber Size
 SOURCES FOR AIR FILTERS
  OTHER AIR CLEANERS
AIR HANDLER UNITS
  DIRTY A/C BLOWERS
    Leaks, Rodents In Air Handlers
    Mold Growth in Air Handlers
  DAMAGED COOLING COIL
  DIRTY COOLING COIL
  DIRTY COIL CLEANING PROCEDURES
  FROST BUILD-UP
  BLOWER LEAKS, RUST & MOLD
  ADDING A/C: RETROFIT SIZING
ANIMAL ALLERGENS / PET DANDER
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS in BUILDINGS
BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BOOKSTORE - Air Conditioning "How To" Books
CLEANING & Legionella BACTERIA
COMPRESSOR CONDENSER
CONDENSATE HANDLING
CONTROLS & SWITCHES
COOL OFF HEAT Thermostat Switch
COOLING CAPACITY, RATED
COOLING COIL or EVAPORATOR COIL
DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS
COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ
DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
DUCT SYSTEMS
DUCTS - Asbestos
DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
  ASBESTOS HVAC DUCTS
  DUCT & AIR HANDLER ODORS
  DUCT ROUTING & SUPPORT
  BALANCING AIR DUCT FLOW
  FIBERGLASS DUCT, RIGID CONSTRUCTION
  FIBERGLASS HVAC DUCTS
  GOODMAN GRAY FLEXDUCT
  INCREASING RETURN AIR
  LEAKY DUCT CONNECTIONS
  LOCATION OF REGISTERS & DUCTS
  MOLD in AIR HANDLERS & DUCT WORK
  ODORS in AIR HANDLERS & DUCT WORK
  OWENS CORNING FLEXDUCT
  OWL FLEXDUCT
  RETURN AIR REGISTERS & DUCTS
  SUPPLY REGISTERS, & ZONES
  Transite Pipe HVAC Ducts
  UNDERSIZED RETURN DUCTS
  UNSAFE DUCT OPENINGS
  VIBRATION DAMPERS
  WET CORRODED DUCT WORK
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
DUCT INSULATION for SOUNDPROOFING
DUCTS, Asbestos Transite Pipe
DUST FROM HVAC?
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
HEAT LOSS (or GAIN) in BUILDINGS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INSPECTION LIMITATIONS
LOST COOLING CAPACITY
MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
OPERATING COST
OPERATING DEFECTS
OPERATING TEMPERATURES
REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS
REPAIR & DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for A/C
REFRIGERANTS
SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS
SYSTEM OPERATION
SWAMP COOLERS
THERMOSTATS
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
CRITICAL DEFECTS on A/C SYSTEMS
FURNACES WARM AIR HEATING SYSTEMS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER

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Photograph of a clean and a dirty air filter

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.

Readers should also see Air Filter Effectiveness and  Real-World Effectiveness of Air Cleaners in our INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE article series.

© Copyright 2010 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

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.

    We discuss the use of ozone generators in detail at The Use of Ozone Generators Indoors for Control for Odors and Mold Removal in Buildings: A Summary of Hazards and False Claims

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Technical Reviewers & References

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.

AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
AGE of AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART
AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS
AIR CONDITIONER TYPES, ENERGY SOURCES
AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
  Air Filter Location
  Dirty Air Filter Problems
  Missing Air Filters
 OPTIMUM INDOOR AIR FILTERS
  Air Filter Efficiency
  Optimum Air Filter Design / Location
  How to Cascade Air Filters
 CONTINUOUS BLOWER FAN OPERATION
 AIR FILTER EFFECTIVENESS
  MERV, HEPA Definitions
  MERV Air Filter Ratings
  How Air Filters Work
  Particle Sizes & IAQ
  Gasketed air filters
  Debris in Return Air Plenum
  Washable air filters
 AIR FILTERING STRATEGIES
 FIBERGLASS & AIR FILTERS
  Air Filters Shed Fibers?
  Fiberglass & Test Lab Accuracy
  Variations in Fiber Size
 SOURCES FOR AIR FILTERS
  OTHER AIR CLEANERS
AIR HANDLER UNITS
  DIRTY A/C BLOWERS
    Leaks, Rodents In Air Handlers
    Mold Growth in Air Handlers
  DAMAGED COOLING COIL
  DIRTY COOLING COIL
  DIRTY COIL CLEANING PROCEDURES
  FROST BUILD-UP
  BLOWER LEAKS, RUST & MOLD
  ADDING A/C: RETROFIT SIZING
ANIMAL ALLERGENS / PET DANDER
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS in BUILDINGS
BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BOOKSTORE - Air Conditioning "How To" Books
CLEANING & Legionella BACTERIA
COMPRESSOR CONDENSER
CONDENSATE HANDLING
CONTROLS & SWITCHES
COOL OFF HEAT Thermostat Switch
COOLING CAPACITY, RATED
COOLING COIL or EVAPORATOR COIL
DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS
COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ
DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
DUCT SYSTEMS
DUCTS - Asbestos
DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
DUCT INSULATION for SOUNDPROOFING
DUCTS, Asbestos Transite Pipe
DUST FROM HVAC?
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
HEAT LOSS (or GAIN) in BUILDINGS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INSPECTION LIMITATIONS
LOST COOLING CAPACITY
MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
OPERATING COST
OPERATING DEFECTS
OPERATING TEMPERATURES
REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS
REPAIR & DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for A/C
REFRIGERANTS
SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS
SYSTEM OPERATION
SWAMP COOLERS
THERMOSTATS
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
CRITICAL DEFECTS on A/C SYSTEMS
FURNACES WARM AIR HEATING SYSTEM

  • 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.
AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
Air Conditioning "How To" Books
FURNACES WARM AIR HEATING SYSTEMS

More Information

InspectAPedia.comInspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map
InspectAPedia Blog - News Updates
Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
Interiors
Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing Water Septic
Roofing
Structure
Accuracy & Privacy Policies
Contact Us

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

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