Many people are unaware that the air we breathe in our homes is almost six times more hazardous than the air we breathe outside our homes. Airborne particles become trapped inside and the dirt and stale air have no outlet.
Today, there are different kinds of home air purifiers. The most common ones are carbon, HEPA, UV light air purifiers, ZEOLITE, to mention a few. Each kind of purifier mentioned gathers contaminants; some of these air purifiers have a steel rod while others, have a filter.
It is essential to have a clean air filtering system inside your home. The main function of furnace filters is to keep the heat exchanges and coils on the air conditioning and heating system free of all the dirt. Since home air filters are made of highly efficient anti-microbial filters and motors that ensure pure, clean air at home, it is wise to keep the system functioning effectively.
A furnace filter or air conditioning system filter can considerably decrease the dust in your home and give you an allergy free oasis from fall pollen and spring seasons. Below are some ways you can clean your Home Air Filter:
• Dusting/Rinsing/Spraying - For cleaning the home air filter, remove the air filter panel and clean the condenser and evaporator coils. Vacuum or brush the coils. Rinse the coils with a detergent and water mix using a garden sprayer/hose. Make sure you don't rinse or spray the electrical parts of the air filter. The coils and fins should not be damaged. Clean the air filter on a regular basis to avoid molding problem caused due to moisture inside the air-filtering unit.
• Steam cleaning - For steam cleaning air filters, special chemical filters are shot into an air conditioning unit by employing powerful high-pressure steam machines at approximately 150 pounds per square inch.
• Vapor steam cleaners - The vapor steam cleaners are easy and safer as they do not use chemicals but only dry steam. When the steam enters the air conditioning unit, all the molds, fungi, dust mites and bacteria are instantly killed.
• Oiling - Liberally apply cleaning oil to the dirty side of the air filter. If you are using a squeeze bottle of oil, squeeze a bead of oil in the length of the crown of every pleat using the tip of the squeeze bottle as a guide. Use a bottle with a graduated view strip for dispensing the right amount of oil. If you are using an aerosol spray, use an equal amount of oil along the length of the crown of every pleat. Wait for about 25 minutes to allow the filter media to absorb the oil. Check the clean side of the filter for any lighter area. Continue the oiling procedure till you notice an even color over the entire filter media.
Besides cleaning your furnace filters and air-conditioning filters, it's essential to replace them, in accordance with your unit's owners manual. If you have high level of dust particles in the house due to recent renovations, use of candles or if someone smokes in the house, you should clean and replace the filters more often. Also, consider a regular replacement, particularly if a family member suffers from allergies, asthma or any kind of lung diseases.
Bill Whitworth writes furnace filter and other home environment health related articles for Web Products, Inc. A popular Internet destination for furnace filters, air filters, replacement filters, and custom filters. Helping customers improve their home air quality since 1997.
How to Clean Your Home Air Filter
