Are you looking for ways to reduce your energy bills? If so, you may have heard that air filters can help with energy efficiency. But is this true? In this article, we'll explore the science behind air filters and energy efficiency, and how you can use them to save money. It's no secret that a dirty air filter can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder and use more energy than when the air filter is new. This is because the filter creates resistance against the air that flows through it, resulting in a drop in air pressure. The fan then has to work harder to push air through the system.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), replacing a clogged air filter with a clean one can reduce energy consumption by up to 15%. The first type of filters were fiberglass filters, the Flanders EZ Flow, which were selected as a reference to represent low-efficiency filters. But when you install a new filter in your air filtration system, the fan will start at a lower speed. This means that using a high-quality air filter allows the fan to operate at lower speeds and therefore consumes less energy over its lifespan.
Testing Different Types of Filters
To study whether high-efficiency filters adversely affect the performance of the heating and cooling system, energy consumption was measured while testing different types of filters.It was evident that 3M filters can maintain a similar level of energy consumption throughout the designed life of the filter. With the exception of the FG-1 filter used in the heating season test, regardless of which filter was used, the energy consumption of the entire house remained relatively the same.
Choosing the Right Filter
If you want to increase the efficiency of your system, make sure that the fan you are using is capable of supporting the filter you install. High-efficiency filters have a greater pressure drop than low-efficiency fiberglass filters, so pleated filters or even low-efficiency bag filters should be used instead of flat pad filters.The Benefits of High-Efficiency Filters
It's a smart decision to replace old, low-quality filters with state-of-the-art air filters designed to reduce energy consumption. By selecting the right medium and an optimized filter design, a higher-efficient filter can reduce pressure drop and help you save up to 7.5% on your energy bill every month. In conclusion, air filters can help with energy efficiency when they are properly selected and installed.By replacing clogged or old air filters with high-quality ones, you can reduce your energy consumption and save money on your monthly bills.
