But if you have a pet, the pet dander is too small to be caught in this type of filter. Whether it’s disposable or washable, it can’t do its job if there is dust and debris is built up. Disposable air filters are more efficient than disposable air filters, but only if you replace them on a regular basis. Both washable and disposable filters are reliable options for your HVAC system. Reusable vs. Even bacteria, viruses and smoke are not effectively filtered out. It’s a simple task but one that is often overlooked by homeowners. Meanwhile, disposable air filters have several layers of soft mesh (cotton, polyester, fiberglass, etc.). What are you waiting for? Call us at 432-580-9675 to schedule an appointment. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians are always here to help you find the air filter for your AC system and home. On the other hand, disposable filters have a life span of up to a year with reasonable use. Disposable HVAC filters must be frequently replaced—approximately every 90 days in the average home, and every 60 days or sooner if you have pets or allergy-sensitive people in your home. Fill out your email below to get exclusive deals only available to our email buddies. Disposable filters come in a much wider range of MERV ratings, allowing you to choose the level of effic… Save Money. One of washable air filters greatest weaknesses is that they are simply not as effective as disposable air filters. All of these varieties are disposable and may be less expensive to buy at first. All true HEPA filters are able to strain particles as small as 3/10 of a micron in size, which is the smallest particles any filter is able to remove. Air filters are one of the most important factors when it comes to your air conditioning system. $15 average. However, if you purchase air filters frequently, they can earn back that initial investment in a few months. How washable air filters stack up to their conventional counterparts depends on how you look at price. Choose between disposable and washable filters. It requires less effort to deal with disposable air filters. If you’re tired of shelling out money every month for a replacement filter or buying them by the pack several times a year, there is an option worth considering. There are several benefits to using disposal filters over electrostatic air filters. WASHABLE AND REUSABLE. Sometimes, they say that only disposable air filters work well trapping the smallest particles, and washable filters can trap only large particles and dust. Disposable air filters are cheaper than washable air filters, but you need to replace them more often. One of the first steps is deciding between a reuseable (washable) air filter or a disposable one. You can use them for up to five years. Some homeowners buy air filters in bulk, so they aren’t running to the hardware store each month. Washable vs. They last for about 2 to 3 years. Performance. air filters should be replaced once a month. They trap dust and other particles as air passes through them, filtering out all the gunk. Standard HVAC filters are made from metal mesh, a fiberglass filter material and a cardboard frame. Disposable air filters are more efficient than disposable air filters, but only if you replace them on a regular basis. The majority of washable filters are electrostatic filters. Total: $79.00. Before you invest in an HVAC filter type, you’ll want to make sure the average costs work with your household budget. Done! Washable filters may be more expensive but their ability to last for a long time makes them worth the investment. A washable air filter is easy to maintain – simply wash it on a regular basis. Of course with the good, there is also the bad. With all the different types of air filters on the market, it can be confusing to know which filters are the best choice for your home. Overall, it takes less time and energy to deal with when it comes to AC maintenance. There are many types of air filters on the market these days, but which one is best? Washable filters are meant to be cleaned with soap and water. For the cleanest air, we recommend changing your air … Washable Air Filters Usually Have Lower MERV Ratings, But That Might Be OK. Washable air filters usually have a maximum MERV rating of 9. The average cost of washable air filters is between approximately $40 and $100. They come in a variety of filtration levels – the more filtration power a filter has, the smaller the particles that filter can remove from the air. An alternative to disposable filters is available: washable air filters. However, disposable filters are often considered to have superior performance overall. Filters improve the indoor air … An electrostatic air filter is washable and, therefore, reusable. Washable Furnace Filters vs. The number of occupants in your home, pets, and environmental factors all play a role in the speed at which your filter becomes dirty. Another factor to keep in mind is that most washable air filters only have a MERV rating between one and four, which is not great for homes with multiple people, pets, or in an environment where someone has a compromised immune system. Price. It means that hey are less efficient at capturing indoor pollutants such as dust mites, pollen particles, and carpet fibers. Disposable. Wash and let dry before reinstalling. While some homeowners don’t mind the routine cleanings washable air filters require, others dread the life. Washable air filters usually have a MERV rating of 1 to 4. Price points on filters can vary due to material and style, but disposable filters are generally much cheaper than washable filters. Once you have compared and contrasted the different filters, and you have decided to go with the electrostatic air filter, you’ll then want to familiarize yourself on how to properly clean it. K&N E-3750 Filter Element (x1): $62.00. However, washable filters do not filter out the air as well as a pleated filter. Join the club and start saving today. So which is better, disposable air filters or washable air filters? However, one of the biggest benefits of disposable filters is that they improve your home’s air quality since they offer better microparticle filtering compared to washable filters. Schedule Service Online Washable Vs. Colman Heating & Air 1001 Tropic St Titusville, FL 32796. , which is a system that measures how efficient the air filter is at removing particles from the air passing through it. HEPA filters are very good at trapping even the smallest particles and keep your indoor air quality super clean. Once you’ve decided which kind of filter to use, you have one more big decision to make: Washable or disposable? While washable filters can be used over and over again after a thorough cleaning, disposable filters can only be used once. Washable air filters for the home are best kept in the 4-12 MERV range where protection and affordability balances out. Simply pull out the old air filter, toss in the trash, and slide in a new one. Disposable vs. Reusable Filters. Maintenance. Cleaning your washable electrostatic air filter. WASHABLE. Traditional Air Filters. K&N E-3750 Filter Element (x1): $62.00. The MERV rating for flat fiberglass filters varies between 1 and 4. For the cleanest air, we recommend changing your air filter once every month. Pleated filters have an average MERV rating of 12 and are very efficient at catching debris from the air. There are two types of AC air filters: disposable and washable/reusable. Not environmentally friendly. A regular air filter is typically made from a pleated media with a disposable cardboard frame. At Colman, we understand that sometimes, AC issues happen during the most inconvenient times. You will save money in the long run if you choose to purchase a washable air filter. Washable vs. Between MERV ratings, size and shape, there are lots of factors to consider. The drying process may take up to an hour, but once you are sure they are dry, insert them back in. You’ll have to take the time (up to 15 minutes) to properly wash them in lieu of swapping out disposable air filters. So a potential use of 100,000 miles. They collect and trap particles of dust, dirt, dander and other debris that circulate throughout your home. Disposable Filters. Let’s explore that concept. Price points on filters can vary due to material and style, but disposable filters are generally much cheaper than washable filters. The real answer is, it depends.. Electrostatic air filters are washable furnace filters that can be very useful for certain uses, but whether or not they should be used in your house is a much broader question. However, a washable air filter, though more expensive, can last for years, so saving costs is obvious in the long-term perspective. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, which is a fancy way of saying that they are designed to remove more particles from the air than any other type of filter. The HVAC experts at Darville can help! Let’s do a comparison between washable filters and disposable filters to understand which type is best for you. After all, air filters help to stop dander, dirt, dust and other icky debris from infiltrating the rooms within your home. While electronic filters are a more costly option, they are one of the most effective type of filters. Price. This is why some people who use washable filters keep a second filter on hand to insert immediately while the other is being cleaned and dried. Final Verdict Washable air filters provide a reusable alternative to disposable filters with their own unique qualities. These simple comparisons can help you decide if a washable or disposable air filter is right for you. Washable air filters can be good or bad convenience-wise, depending on your lifestyle. Although it will depend on the size and MERV rating, a disposable air filter will typically cost you between $10 and $20. While you won’t have to make a trip to your local hardware store as often, you will need to wash and wait for the air filter to dry completely before putting it back in your AC. Electrostatic air filter vs disposable. The purpose of an air filter is to filter out and help reduce particles such as dust, pet dander, pollen and to help your system not work overtime. When it’s time to change the dirty air filters, you simply toss them in the trash and replace them with fresh new ones. Disposable air filters are cheaper than washable air filters, but you need to replace them more often. They often have a low MERV rating; typically a MERV 5 or even lower. Before the battle of electrostatic air filter vs. disposable filter, let's take a close look at the role of filters in general, how they are rated, and the differences between the them. The number one reason why most homeowners opt for reusable air filters is that they’re concerned about the environment. Before we get into the different types of air filters, it’s important to understand the MERV rating system, which is a system that measures how efficient the air filter is at removing particles from the air passing through it. These are simple to change out or clean and should be done an absolute minimum of once every six months. Disposable AC Filters. While certain types of air filters come with reusable and disposable options, washable filters are an environmentally friendly way to save money. Simply pull them out, clean them, rinse them, and leave them out to dry. They are durable and sturdy, which helps them to last so long. One drawback of using a washable air filter is that it takes more effort. Disposable filters 02-14-2009, 08:09 PM #8. With a permanent filter, you must wash your filter regularly. This means they can’t trap small particles such as bacteria, viruses, or pet dander. The main difference between washable furnace filters vs disposable is the upfront cost. If you want to save money, reduce waste and have better air quality in your home, get a Filti. Call us at (321) 269-4565 if you need assistance ASAP or to schedule routine HVAC maintenance. Contact us. K&N Filter Cleaner (x1): $11.00. Reusable vs. K&N lifetime washable home air filters … Darville is the Higher Standard! Written By Green Thumb Local. Disposable Filters. They Require More Effort. So for fun, let’s do that math: 1 disposable filter every 3 months is 4 times a year, times 15 years is 60 disposable filters. The initial price of this air filter type for HVAC systems is high, but it should be viewed as an investment that will last for many years. Washable filters require regular visits to the furnace room to remove and clean thoroughly. One of the first steps is deciding between a reuseable (washable) air filter or a disposable one. However, for long-term savings, a washable air filter … K&N Filter Oil (x1): $6.00. Disposable filters seem to be more convenient in a short-term perspective because you can throw them away after using and replace them with new ones. The washable filters are reusable for the lifetime of your HVAC system, which is upwards up 15 years in most cases. The cleaning process is easy and quick but requires a consistent schedule. 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