There are two main types of air filters: reusable and disposable. Both
have benefits and disadvantages, so how do you know which one is right
for your home?

Reusable Filters

Permanent or reusable air filters are filters that can be used over and
over again. They are made to last for a long period of time but still
need to be cleaned often. A permanent filter will have a higher upfront
cost than a disposable filter, but some argue that the price of a permanent
is well worth it and will save you money in the long run.

To clean a permanent filter, you can vacuum the dust and debris that gets
caught in the filter out or you can wash them by running water through
them. If you wash your filter, it is important that you let it dry for
at least 24 hours so that you don’t end up with a mold or mildew
issue. This means that your air will be unfiltered for the time that the
filter is out of your AC system.

Reusable filters take more work when it comes to cleaning and upkeep, however
the initial cost is soon made up and you will be saving money.

Disposable Filters

Disposable filters can be thrown away and replaced by new ones every 1-3
months. You can find disposable filters easily in many hardware stores
or even supermarkets. They come in many different price ranges depending
on your system’s needs.

The ease of changing a disposable feature makes it a popular choice by
many homeowners as it is simply popping the old one out and putting a
new one in. There is no cleaning or drying to be done. The downside to
this is the cost of buying a new filter every 1 – 3 months rather
than having a filter that can be in your HVAC system indefinitely.

Call American Mechanical in Virginia Beach if you need help finding the
right AC filter for your system.