We all want the air in our homes to be clean but we also want our environment to be clean as well. Even though most people want both of those things, they never stop to wonder if they might conflict with each other. In other words, they never stop to wonder if the air filters they use to keep the air in their home clean are also bad for the environment. As with most questions regarding environmental friendliness, the answer is complicated.
However, that should not discourage you from using air filters. They are very important in keeping the air in the home free from allergens and pollutants, which is especially vital if any of the home’s inhabitants have any serious respiratory problems. So even if you are worried about the state of the environment you should make sure that your home has an air filter since there are ways to be eco-friendly while still using an air filter.
How Air Filters Affect the Environment
The way that an air filter affects the environment depends on the type of air filter that is being used. There are two types of filters, washable filters and disposable filters.
Disposable air filters are thrown away when they get dirty, which can contribute to landfill waste. Some filters need to be replaced every six weeks, which means that a lot of filters get discarded each year. This is not a problem with washable filters since they do not need to be replaced when they get dirty, they are simply cleaned and then reused. That makes them much better for the environment than disposable filters.
That being said, disposable air filters can contribute to the environment in a good way as well. That is because an air filter can make the HVAC system run more efficiently, which means that it uses less energy in general. That is good for the environment since lower energy usage contributes to a cleaner atmosphere. So the answer of whether or not air filters are eco-friendly depends on the type of filter being used.
Why Air Filters are Important
Regardless of their level of eco-friendliness, it is very important that you have an air filter in your home. They remove pollutants, allergens, and harmful particulate matter from the air. Not only do air filters keep the air in the home clean, they can also make the HVAC system run more efficiently and use less energy.
However, the air filter needs to be clean in order for that to happen since a dirty air filter can make the system less efficient. The reason is that it can be harder for air to pass through a dirty, clogged filter, which causes the system to work harder and use more energy.
Also Read: Environmental Impacts of HVAC Systems
Ensure Air Filter For Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system needs to have an air filter whether it is eco-friendly or not. An air filter is too important to be neglected because it is so important to the air quality in the home. If you are worried about your air filter being eco-friendly, then you should get a washable air filter.
It might take slightly more effort to maintain than a disposable air filter, but the benefit is that it is better for the environment. So it is possible to have an air filter that is eco-friendly that also does a good job of keeping the air in your home clean, you just need to choose the right one.
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