Can You Reuse a HEPA Filter?
When it comes to keeping your home safe, one area that gets overlooked is your indoor air quality. When you have a quality HEPA air filter, you can reduce the number of airborne toxins that are inside your home. This will ensure that you and your family are breathing in healthy air throughout the day and night.
What is a HEPA Air Filter?
A HEPA filter is a special type of air filter that goes into your HVAC system to remove impurities from the air. It traps unwanted airborne allergens like dust, pollen, and other debris. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air filter. This means that it's very good at filtering particles out of the air. In fact, it can remove 99.97% of airborne particles that are .3 microns or bigger.
Why is Having a HEPA Air Filter Important?
If you or another family member have allergies or a respiratory illness a HEPA filter is a must. Their ability to remove such small particles can't compare to regular HVAC filters. If you want to learn more about why HEPA is important, you should talk with your local HVAC professional.
Can You Reuse a HEPA Filter?
Experts recommend replacing your HVAC system's filtration screen every two to three months. When you're running HEPA, this can get costly over time. You may end up wondering to yourself if you can reuse your old HEPA filtration screen. The answer to this question lies in the type of HEPA filtration screen that you have.
There are two main types of HEPA filtration screens that you can buy. There are non-washable ones, which you must throw out and replace. There are also washable or reusable ones that you can wash and reuse time and time again.
How to Clean a HEPA Air Filter?
Washable HEPA filters use unique PTFE fibers that you can reuse. These use activated carbon and are very porous. Washing them is simple with the right tactic. You'll want to use cold water to clean the filtration screen. Resist the urge to add chemical cleaners and soaps to the reused filter. Those can reduce its efficiency in the future.
Use a strong stream of cold water to flush out the airborne toxins and debris that it accumulated. Don't ever brush or rub the filter. This could damage it and make it ineffective at filtering air in the future. If you have a lot of debris stuck on your filter, consider vacuuming it to remove the large debris first. Finally, make sure that you let your washable HEPA filter air dry completely before you put it back.
Call Us Today
If you need help replacing your air filter or learning if you can reuse your existing one, then it's time to give us a call. Let our HVAC professionals assist you with all your heating and cooling needs.