What Are Permanent Washable Air Filters

Air-Care electrostatic air filters clean the air by using static electricity – a safe, naturally occurring phenomenon. An electrostatic charge is generated by air flowing through a maze of static prone fibers. Airborne particles are attracted and held by the static charge until released by washing.

Benefits You Can Live With

• Never needs replacing
• Cleaner air to breathe
• No harmful ozone emissions
• Reduces pollen, dust and airborne pollutants
• Reasonably priced
• Less housecleaning
• Anti-microbial filter media
• Limited Lifetime warranty
• High dust & particle holding capacity

Benefits of Electrostatic Air Filters

Cleaning is Quick & Easy

When cleaned as directed, your Air-Care electrostatic air filter will give you many years of trouble free use.

Electrostatic Filtration

Illustrations show typical dust loading pattern of the electrostatic fibers. This unique characteristic improves air flow while providing maximum filtration. two columns with images

Removes Tiny Microns

The air you breathe contains many irritants such as pollen, dust, bacteria, mold spores, pet dander and smoke. Most of these particles are smaller than ten microns. Your Air-Care filter is an effective and efficient way to reduce the number of these particles in your air. two columns with image & video

Filter Re-Sizing Service

Do you already own one of our electrostatic air filters and are moving to a new house or building? We can resize your filter so it fits the new system. Simply send us $15 for the resizing fee + $9.97 for shipping and we’ll resize your filter to fit your new system. Ask your dealer about this new service. Note: We can only reduce the length and width of the filter – we can not increase the size of either the width or the length.

Arrestance

Understanding Arrestance: How Our Filters Work

Arrestance is a term we use to describe how well a filter can catch particles from the air. All Air-Care filters are available in two types—either 94% or 88% arrestance. A filter with 94% arrestance can catch up to 94% of the particles in the air, making it very effective. Our 88% arrestance filters catch slightly fewer particles but allow more air to flow through, which can be better for your system’s airflow.

Choosing the Right Filter

To decide if you need an 88% or 94% arrestance filter, you can use a simple rule based on the size of your filter compared to your air unit’s capacity. Here’s how to figure it out:

Let’s say your filter is 16×25 inches, and your air unit is 2.5 tons. First, find the square footage of your filter by multiplying the length by the width and then dividing by 144. So, for a 16×25 filter, the square footage is 2.8 (16 x 25 / 144 = 2.8). Since 2.8 is greater than 2.5, a 94% arrestance filter works well in this system.

However, if your filter is smaller, like 12×18 inches, its square footage would be 1.5 (12 x 18 / 144 = 1.5). If this number is less than the tonnage of your unit (2.5 in our example), then an 88% arrestance filter is recommended.

Extra Protection

Both our 94% filters and the flexible frame 88% filters are treated with an EPA-registered anti-microbial material. This helps stop mold and bacteria from growing on the filter’s surface, keeping your air cleaner and safer.

 Calculate the Proper Filter Arrestance For Your Air System

	Gold 94	Silver 88	Flex 94	Flex 88	ESS
Filtration Efficiency	94%	88%	94%	88%	94%
Dust Holding Capacity	165 grams	126 grams	165 grams	126 grams	165 grams
Air Flow Resistance	0.12	0.08	0.12	0.08	0.12
Frame Quality	Excellent	Good	Flexible	Flexible	Good
Frame Depth (Thickness)	1″	1/2″, 1″ or 2″	5/8″	3/8″	3″- 6″
UV Resistant	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
MERV Rating	8	8	8	8	8
Spec Sheet	View	View	View	View	View

Types of Air Filters

Air-Care manufactures electrostatic air filters with 3 different frame types: Gold, Silver or Flexible.

Silver Frames

Our Silver Frame filters are crafted from a single piece of roll-formed galvanized steel, joined at one corner with a single rivet. Although these frames are more affordable than our Gold Frame filters, they aren’t quite as strong. You can get Silver Frame filters in depths of 1/2 inch, 1 inch, or 2 inches.

The 1/2 inch Silver Frame filters, which are 7/16 inch thick, include two layers of polypropylene sandwiched between two layers of expanded steel. This design improves airflow and makes the filter sturdier. Our 2-inch filters are built similarly to the 1-inch Electra Silver filters, but they feature a thicker, 1.5-inch white polyester layer in the middle that helps trap more particles while still allowing air to pass through easily.

Additionally, we offer 1-inch and 2-inch filters that have a metal frame with a layer of expanded metal on one side to support the filter material. The filter material is tucked into the frame and held in place by the fibers catching on the expanded metal, which helps with air filtration.

Many commercial air systems use multiple 2-inch thick pleated filters. However, our high-arrestance, low-resistance permanent filters provide a cost-effective alternative to these disposable filters, saving money for your commercial setups without sacrificing performance.

Flexible Frames

Our Flexible Frame filters are crafted by sewing flexible polypropylene webbing around the edges, creating a frame made of fabric instead of metal. This design allows the filter to flex, fitting snugly into various spaces while maintaining the same high standards as our rigid metal-framed filters.

The 88% arrestance Flexible Frame filters have a depth of approximately 3/8 inch, making them slim and adaptable. Our 94% arrestance Flexible Frame filters are slightly thicker at about 5/8 inch deep. These filters include a 1/2 inch thick polyester layer that’s sandwiched between two layers of polypropylene, all held together with a sewn polypropylene webbing frame.

This construction ensures durability and effectiveness, and they are designed to fit most 1-inch filter applications, providing excellent filtration with the flexibility to accommodate various installation environments.

Standard Sizes vs Custom Sizes

Every filter we manufacture comes in either a standard size or a custom size. Standard-size air filters are slightly smaller than their listed dimensions, undercut by 3/8 inch to fit standard openings, just like filters from other manufacturers. For instance, if you’re replacing a 25″ x 25″ disposable filter, you would select a standard size 25″ x 25″ electrostatic air filter from us. However, the actual size of this filter will be 24 5/8″ x 24 5/8″.

On the other hand, a custom-size filter is made exactly to the dimensions you specify. So, if you order a custom-size filter that’s 25″ x 25″, it will measure precisely 25″ x 25″, with no undercut.

This distinction is crucial for ensuring the right fit, so if you have any questions about which size to choose, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help make sure you get the perfect filter for your needs.

How to clean permanent/washable air filters

Cleaning your permanent or washable air filters is straightforward and quick. When cleaned according to the directions, your electrostatic air filter will provide many years of effective, trouble-free service. However, failing to clean the filter properly can reduce its effectiveness. Over time, excessive dirt buildup may also create airflow resistance strong enough to damage other ventilation components. Generally, the filter should be cleaned every 4-6 weeks, depending on your specific usage and environment.

Cleaning Instructions:

1. Remove the Air Filter: Start by taking the filter out of its housing.
2. Flush with Water: Hold the filter so that you can flush it with water in the opposite direction of the air flow arrows. After that, rinse the other side to ensure all dirt is loosened.
3. Apply Cleaner: If there are stubborn stains, spray the filter with our Filter Cleaner or a similar cleaning solution designed for air filters.
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the filter thoroughly to remove any remaining dirt and cleaning solution.
5. Dry and Reinstall: Allow the filter to drain any excess water and leave it to air dry completely. Once dry, reinstall the filter in your system.

Regular cleaning as described will help maintain the filter’s performance and protect your HVAC system from potential damage due to clogged filters.