Your Ultimate Guide to Commercial HVAC Air Filters

HVAC air filters are some of the most useful yet most neglected elements of your commercial heating and cooling systems. Air filters are working constantly to remove particulate matter from the air, but many people may not understand how air filters work exactly. In this guide, we’ll explore all the basic information you need to know about commercial HVAC air filters, including what they are, how they work, how to change them, and how to choose the best air filter for your needs.

What Is an HVAC Air Filter?

An HVAC air filter is a semi-permeable material designed as a barrier between one section of your HVAC system to the other. As air is forced through this filter, small particles are trapped, allowing mostly purified air to pass through. Essentially, your HVAC system is going to pull dirty air from the building, run it through a filter to clean the air, and then distribute the clean air throughout the building once it’s heated or cooled. HVAC air filters serve two important functions simultaneously.

First, they serve as a safeguard for your HVAC system. Small particles may not seem very impactful, but over time, they can result in increased wear and tear for your equipment. Installing an air filter and changing it regularly ensures only clean air passes through your HVAC system, maximizing its lifespan in the process.

Second, they serve as a way to clean the air in your surroundings. Since air filters can remove bacteria, viruses, mold spores, dander, pollen, dust, and countless other particles, they provide measurable health benefits for people breathing in your building.

Understanding the HEPA and MERV Scale

A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is a specific type of pleated filter that can filter out 99.97 percent of particles, including particles as small as 0.3 microns. For reference, the width of a human hair is between 70 and 100 microns. Typically, HEPA filters are made from polypropylene, but they can also be made from fiberglass and other materials.

HVAC air filters can also be rated on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale. This system provides a numerical rating of a given filter on a scale from 1 to 20, with 1 being the least effective and 20 being the best possible filtering. HEPA filters are typically rated as 17 or higher. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter is at removing particles. While this is mostly a good thing, it does come with a few drawbacks.

For starters, higher-MERV filters tend to be more expensive, and because they catch more particles, they may need to be changed more frequently than their counterparts. Additionally, the more advanced filtering can negatively affect airflow, potentially impacting the efficiency of your HVAC system, though this effect is relatively small.

Common Commercial HVAC Filter Materials

You can find commercial HVAC filters in a wide range of materials, including:

Fiberglass. Spun fiberglass is one of the most widely used materials in HVAC air filter production, since it’s relatively inexpensive yet capable of filtering out large contaminants. Compared to other materials, fiberglass can be more restrictive in terms of airflow.
Activated carbon. Activated carbon, produced from charcoal, is capable of removing even the smallest particles from the air. It’s a safe, effective, and consistent material that can purify the air reliably.
Plastics. Synthetic materials, including polypropylene, are considered highly durable and resilient. In addition to providing advanced filtering, plastic air filters are often washable, allowing you to reuse them and save money long term.

Additionally, plants can function as a type of air filter. Plants absorb air from their surroundings via tiny pores; in addition to absorbing the CO2 they need to thrive, they also absorb VOCs, gases, and other microscopic particles before releasing oxygen back into the air.

How Often Should I Change My HVAC Filter?

How often should you change your commercial HVAC filter? Well, as you might expect, that depends on several variables. In a residential environment, homeowners are advised to change their filters at least once or twice per year and up to every three months. In a commercial environment, you’ll likely have a much more advanced HVAC system that runs more frequently, requiring you to change the filter more often. If your commercial building produces high volumes of particulate matter, you’ll need to change the filter even more frequently.

How to Change Your HVAC Filter

Over time, HVAC air filters get dirty. They can get clogged with all the particles they pull out of the air, restricting airflow to your unit and compromising its ability to filter out more particles. Accordingly, you need to change your filters regularly. Doing so improves the quality of the air in your building while keeping your HVAC system clean and well-maintained.

Your air filter is located in one of several potential locations; because commercial HVAC systems take many forms, there’s no universal location where you can find the air filter. Typically, you can find it in the return air duct. Usually, changing the air filter is very simple; all you have to do is remove the old air filter and dispose of it, then replace it with a new filter. Just make sure it’s facing the same direction as the old filter. Also, mark the date you changed it so you know when it’s time to change it again.

This is a job that most people can do easily, but changing a commercial HVAC filter gives you a great opportunity to conduct a full HVAC system inspection. For this job, it’s best to hire a professional commercial HVAC company.

How Can I Find Reliable Commercial HVAC Service in Atlanta?

Are you searching for the perfect HVAC air filter, or is your HVAC setup in need of maintenance? Our commercial HVAC service in Atlanta can help. Contact us today for a free quote!