High-Efficiency Air Filtration in Oak Park

Oak Park's Easiest Solution for Dirty Air in Oak Park

Not ready to invest in a whole-house filtration or purification system in Oak Park? Still looking for a way to make the home in your air cleaner? Then, it might be time to upgrade your furnace filter. Often forgotten about until it turns black, this pleated piece of fabric more than pulls its weight. Without it, you’d be dooming your home’s HVAC filter to an early end. But what should you look for in a higher-efficiency filter? What’s the deal with these permanent ones you’ve heard about? We’ll explore that and more below.

The Importance of Good Furnace Filters

As mentioned above, your filter is essential to your heating and cooling equipment. It protects it. Therefore, it needs to be changed relatively frequently. For 1-inch filters, once a month or every two months is recommended. Thicker filters might get by with half the number of changes.

You’d be surprised how often we’re called out for Oak Park or Chicago for a furnace repair only to find out the issue is a clogged filter. Changing yours regularly helps avoid awkward situations like this, saving you service fees. We know it can be hard to justify buying something you throw in the trash. And the idea of paying more for a higher-end, thicker one can feel foolish.

But rest assured, you’ll more than get your money out of the investment. The benefits of installing a high-end filter include:

• Lowered amounts of dust
• Fewer changeouts
• Less dog and pet danger clogging up the air
• Enhanced HVAC system efficiency
• Smoother equipment operation

Always forget this vital part of Oak Park AC or furnace maintenance? Then, you might want to consider signing up for our tune-up program. That way, you’re sure your system is clean at least once or twice a year.

What Should You Look for in a Oak Park Furnace Filter

Though we might recommend installing an electric static or a 6-inch filter, that’s not feasible for every homeowner in Chicago or Lincolnwood.

Still, there are some items to look out for when shopping for a filter. First, don’t grab one you can see through. While those $0.99 blue ones might be tempting, they don’t provide much protection. When it comes to this purchase, you truly get what you pay for. Though, for most households, a middling option is often adequate.

You should also check the filter's MERV rating. Anything below 13 is subpar and not recommended.

You’ll also want to buy something the same size as yours. Get out a ruler and measure. Lastly, read the information on the back of the packaging. Some brands are designed to catch pet dander, while others are engineered to help those with seasonal allergies.

The Other Types of HVAC Filters

When most people think of HVAC filters, they think of pleated fibrous paper held snug by a cardboard frame. Others might conjure images of simple fiberglass ones. Though the most common, this isn’t the only option. Below are a few other ways you can filter your air:

• HEPA Filters: These specialized furnace filters are hard to beat in terms of efficiency. They trap over 99.9% of contaminants in the air, including bacteria and smoke particles. They are often found in medical facilities and recommended to individuals with respiratory problems.
• UV Light Filters: These use ultraviolet light to kill viruses and bacteria in your home. They’re also great at removing mold spores. It should be noted, however, that the lights do little against pollutants like dust, fumes, and smoke. For that reason, they’re often paired with a HEPA filter. Installing this type of air filtration system can be expensive.
• Electrostatic Filters: These filters create static electricity using paper and cotton fibers. The static acts as a magnet, trapping contaminants in the screen. Because they keep these items from spreading, they’re a great choice for people with allergies. To further enhance their efficiency, a carbon filter can be added. For a higher upfront cost, a reusable one can be purchased. However, compared to HEPA filters, they struggle to trap large particles like dust and mold.
• Media Filters: Boosting high surface areas, this air filter is up to seven times more efficient than your standard pleated one. Though packed into a 6-inch space, the unfurled fabric can measure over 75 feet long. This grants them a heightened lifespan and works great for individuals in industrial zones or with weak immune systems.

Of course, if you’re after germ protection, you might want to consider installing a full-on air filtration system in Oak Park.

Contact Us for High-Efficiency Furnace Filters in Oak Park

We might love our customers, but don’t want to waste your time on unnecessary visits. We also want your heating and cooling system to last as long as possible. For that reason, we stock several high-efficiency filters in our shop. These are tested by Oak Park air quality experts and are from our recommended brands. Are you looking to retrofit an electrostatic or HEPA filter? Our staff are helping to assist you with that. We invite you to call (312) 858-0358 to schedule a time to discuss ways we can improve your air quality most effectively and efficiently.