Which Filter Do I Need? - Tri County Mechanical

Is the air in your home safe

for your family�s health?

Air Filtration is an important component.

Most heating and cooling systems still use a basic air filter. (Pictured below) These filters were originally designed to protect the equipment and not the people served by the equipment. The average "Rock Stopper" air filter is only capable of removing 3�5% of the particles that pass through it, the average one inch Pleated Filter will remove 8-12% of the particles. There are several types of replacement air filters available in various efficiencies that can help you filter the air in your home. And if you suffer from allergies, asthma, hay fever or other breathing difficulties, there is an air cleaner, that does not normally require replacing, and can help relieve your discomfort.

    During the energy crisis of the early 1970s, highly insulated �tight� homes became popular because of their potential to reduce energy costs. The government and some common sense told us that if we insulate our homes better and block the drafts, we would use less energy and save on our utility bills. The most recent national energy codes of 2003 require even more tightness in new home construction. Now we created a new set of problems.

    Within a few years, complaints started to arise, due to health, and excessive moisture issues caused by indoor pollution, and associated moisture problems within many homes.

    In the late 80's and early 90s, indoor air quality became a nationally recognized issue, starting with Environmental Code changes to all commercial establishments and work places. These changes included outside fresh air recovery into the conditioned space.   Even today, newer and more energy-efficient homes seemed predisposed to the problem. In addition, they retain more humidity and airborne pollutants, which causes longer life-spans, and more productive cycles of microbial activity within the home, such as mold, germs, bacteria and viruses.

    The greater activity and concentration of these airborne contaminants, equates to more allergic reactions, and sickness within families, and for longer periods of time.

    There are many solutions available for many of the Indoor Air Quality problems that may be present in your home. BUT in order to really know what problems exist, we need to actually test the air in a building. Sounds logical, but how many contractors will recommend testing before offering an expensive filter to correct a suspected problem?

    We are Indoor Air Quality Professionals, as such, we have found that:

Guessing is for quiz shows! We need to know what problems are present before we can intelligently recommend any corrective action.
We can install our electronic air monitoring system in your home for a few days.
Our monitor will take sample measurements, every minute of fine particles as small as 0.3 microns, also relative humidity, temperature variations, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and volital organic compounds and transmit this information through an ordinary phone line to our computer system. This data will be analyzed to produce a 12 page report defining what pollutants may be present.
Now, we can sit down and discuss the various options available for your specific needs.

Did you know that the IRS permits equipment purchases to be part of Medical Deductions

with IRS Form 502?

This may be helpful for those who have been diagnosed with severe medical problems

related to Asthma/Allergies and Indoor Air Quality.

We can assist you and your Doctor with these forms, and we recommend that your tax professional advise you on what deductions are actually available to you.

International Indoor Air Quality Commission

In Home Monitor

12 Page IAQ Report

Our Home Monitoring System will verify the effectiveness of any these filters.

These filters, the ones you can see through, are useless, unless used properly as a pre filter. We call them 'ROCK STOPPERS'	Typical 1" Pleated filters. The better filter for your home. Typically found in ceiling return air grills and in furnaces or air handlers. These filters are usually changed every 30 or so days.	Typical 4" or 5" filter. Also supplied as Media air cleaners. These filters will last 4 - 5 times longer than the 1" filter, only because they have 4 - 5 times the surface area of a 1" filter. It is not uncommon for these filters to last 6 months.	AccuClean Exclusively by American Standard. Filters 99.98% efficiency down to 0.3 microns of airborne contaminants in your home and office reducing Asthma and Allergy symptoms.
They may catch and filter dog and cat hair and maybe the lucky stones in your son's pocket . . . . . but not much else.	These filters are normally changed every month. Do not be fooled by labels that claim to be 3 Month filters. If your filter has been getting clogged in one month buying a 3 month filter will not change that, but leaving it in the system after it is clogged will block and restrict air flow that is critical to the function and life of your system.	Typically, these filters are more expensive than 5 or 6 1" filters; however convenience in changing them sort of compensates for the cost. This type is usually mounted at the base of the heater. With a semi- annual maintenance agreement our technician will replace it and there may never be a need for you to change a filter.	The AccuClean filtration system operates with low voltage, does not produce a "snapping or popping" sound and does not require filter replacement every month, just cleaning with a vacuum or water. Does not restrict air flow. Your service technician will remove, clean and replace the collection cells while performing your seasonal check up .