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The Different Types of HVAC Filters and What They Do

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Every HVAC unit must have the proper filter to keep the indoor air quality in your home fresh and clean.

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At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.

jay70001
1 day ago
0 stars if I could. Bought a faulty (not to mention overpriced) surface igniter, called back five minutes later after installing, of course they didn’t stand behind their part. Go to Grainger instead. Same (working) part, half the price.
Response from the owner:Hi there. I am unable to locate your customer profile. Please give our office a call at 314-471-7625 so we can get this figured out for you.
Katherine T.
2 days ago
Always a great experience. Was able to get out same day to help, knowledgeable of old homes, including their systems and new systems as well.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review, Katherine! We appreciate your business.
Frank P.
3 days ago
From the phone to the completion of the job everyone is so polite and informative. I had Giovani as our representative and he was very informative and professional, and knew exactly what the problem was. Thanks so much.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review, Frank! We appreciate you and your business.
April T.
4 days ago
My furnace was not working. A very nice gentleman came out this morning and fixed the problem and now I have much needed heat. He was very professional and courteous. I will definitely be using them again when the need arises.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the positive feedback! We're glad to hear that you were pleased with our prompt and friendly service. We look forward to assisting you again in the future!
Kathleen D.
1 week ago
Ryan was very professional, knowledgeable, and thorough. I was able to get an appointment the same day during a biter, snowy day.
Response from the owner:We are so glad to hear you had a pleasant experience, Kathleen!
Scott S.
2 weeks ago
Snow and drifting snow covered intake and out take vents causing the furnace emergency to shut off furnace. Cleaned off the driftibg/ snow off roof and vents furnace works perfect now. Thank you and great job Nick.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review, Scott! We appreciate your support.
Jessica B.
2 weeks ago
Came during a storm with emergency call for heat- did a quick and fast job getting furnace running! Whoot!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great review, Jessica! We appreciate your support.
Jennifer H.
2 weeks ago
5 stars! Nick was here to fix my heater within 2 hours of my call. He explained the problem to me thoroughly and got the job done quickly & professionally. Thank you so much!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review, Jennifer! Glad we could help.
Matthew B.
2 weeks ago
Extremely thorough and educational. They do a wonderful job of explaining everything and making sure I was comfortable knowing how the systems worked in my house!
Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review, Matthew! We appreciate your support.
Joe C.
2 weeks ago
Nick did an amazing job, on time, very knowledge and professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great review, Joe. We look forward to servicing you in the future!
anna M.
2 weeks ago
installed humidifier and hepa filter. Very pleased with service.
Response from the owner:We are happy to hear that you had a pleasant experience!
Abby C.
2 weeks ago
I noticed a strange noise that I was concerned was linked to my furnace. I called Thomas Hoffman Heating & Cooling and Nick came right out. He was very thorough checking all components. Thankfully all checked out for us this visit. Definitely recommend Thomas Hoffman Heating & Cooling!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind review, Abby! We appreciate your business and look forward to servicing you in the future.
DA O.
3 weeks ago
I would describe the overall experience as professional, but also kind and responsive from the initial phone call to the technician.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We appreciate your business and look forward to helping you in the future.
Christine G.
3 weeks ago
Thomas Hoffman is a wonderful company to work with. Techs are knowledgeable, personable & efficient.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Christine, for your kind words about our team; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear you had a positive experience!
Breanna H.
3 weeks ago
Nick was amazing. He came out the same day and had our heater fixed quickly
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear you had a pleasant experience with us!
Dawn B.
3 weeks ago
Hoffman plumbing came out to help with some of my plumbing problems. They were amazing. I wish I would have called them first
Irene A.
3 weeks ago
Nick did a great job!
Response from the owner:We're happy to hear you had a positive experience!
j. R.
4 weeks ago
Got a quote over the phone. Everything was explained thoroughly. Dakota, my technician arrived and on time, was very professional and knowledgeable. He didn’t try to upsell or change anything. He did a great job. We can already tell the difference since the ducts and vents were cleaned. Would recommend an use Hoffman again in the future.
Response from the owner:Happy to hear you had a pleasant experience using Thomas Hoffmann!
Craig M.
1 month ago
The technician, Ryan, was knowledgeable and helpful in identifying the issue with our mini split AC unit. They are the second company we called after issues with the first and will be using Hoffmann again.
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear your experience with Thomas Hoffmann was pleasant. Thank you for your kind review, & we look forward to working with you in the future!
Jim S.
1 month ago
woke up to a very cold house, called Thomas Hoffmann, they were able to come out a couple of hours later and get the issue resolved. Always trust them, they have always been quick to respond and get either the heating or ac issue fixed that day. Also a great price!!!! give them 10 stars if i could, Thank You JS
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review, Jim. We are happy to hear that you had a positive experience working with Thomas Hoffmann!
Hank K.
1 month ago
Fast, friendly, professional service.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Hank, for your wonderful feedback; we're glad you enjoyed the fast, friendly, and professional service, and we'll be sure to keep up the great work!
sampaul R.
2 months ago
The technician Giovanni was excellent and on time very professional and efficient and knowledgeable of the project at hand ,gave great advice but most of all did great work 👏 thank you .
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear you had a great experience, Sam! Thank you for the review, and thank you for your business.
Ann R.
2 months ago
Nick was friendly, professional and knowledgeable, he did an awesome job!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing Nick's friendliness, professionalism, and knowledge - we're glad you had an awesome experience!
Maureen O.
2 months ago
Notified me of expected arrival time and then again when he was on his way and was exactly on time! Nick was very personable and trustworthy.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Maureen. We're glad to hear that Nick kept you informed and made your experience enjoyable!
Christina G.
2 months ago
Very fast service, Nice young man, and personable!
Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review, Christina! We appreciate your kind words and your business.
Cool Brook I.
2 months ago
Your service technician was very professional and knowledgeable. And did not appear to try to give me bogus information. I truly appreciate his honesty because several other companies did not appear to be honest, obviously wasn’t honest, my gut feeling told me they were not honest and tried to get me to spend $10,000 for a problem that was much simpler to fix. I look forward to you servicing all my properties, and possibly those of the rest of my family.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words and great review! We appreciate your support.
Lianne R.
2 months ago
Very prompt, communication was great, and the workers were very polite. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Lianne! We're glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate your high recommendation.
Jaden S.
2 months ago
Jeff did an outstanding job. Assessed the situation, found the problem, and fixed it within the hour. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jaden! We're glad to hear that we provided such prompt and effective service. Your appreciation means a lot to us!
Leticia
2 months ago
Water heater repaired, appointment done the same day, effective, courteous
Response from the owner:Thank you, Leticia! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that the water heater was repaired promptly and effectively. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
Mr T.
2 months ago
The service tech Giovanni did a fantastic job. Our gas fireplace is working like new again so we’re ready for the cold weather!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mr, for your fantastic review! We're glad to hear Giovanni provided you with excellent service and professionalism. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Jeff C.
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would.

Last night our furnace went out unexpectedly, and with three kids in the house, the temperature dropped fast. Giovanni went above and beyond in every way possible. Instead of charging me a late-night service fee, he simply asked, “Are you decently handy?” and offered to walk me through some troubleshooting steps to get our heat back on so my children wouldn’t have to sleep in the cold.

Not only did he guide me through the process, he even FaceTimed me and showed me exactly what to take apart, how to put it back together, and what signals to watch for. It felt like having a real technician standing right next to me the entire time. Thanks to him, our heat was restored within minutes.

In a world where true customer service is hard to come by, Giovanni is a rare find. It is a guaranteed fact that any future repairs, maintenance, and the new heater/AC system we’ll be needing this coming summer/fall will absolutely be done through him. His honesty, kindness, and expertise have earned our business for life.

Highly, highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear Giovanni was able to help you and your family during that tough situation. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your trust in our services for the future!
Mary C.
2 months ago
My neighbor referred these guys to me when had water heater problem. Previous company told me I needed to replace it. Tom’s technician fixed it for less than $200. This was over 2 years ago and have been using their service ever since. They are very trustworthy.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mary, for sharing your experience and for trusting us with your water heater issue; we're glad our technician could help and that you've continued to rely on our services!
James H.
2 months ago
Came out immediately after a time slot opened and fixed the AC issue.
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words! We're glad we could address your AC issue promptly.
LC S.
2 months ago
Speedy response and service. Knowledgeable professional. Kind, courteous, friendly but professional.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review! We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the future.
Hector R.
2 months ago
Super Helpful and Honest Service

I called this company earlier today because I was having a bunch of issues with my HVAC system. They were incredibly friendly and walked me through troubleshooting step by step over the phone. They didn’t even charge me for the call. Thanks to their honest advice, I was able to get things running smoothly again. Really grateful for their help and would definitely recommend them if you want straightforward and trustworthy service. Five stars all the way!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the glowing review, Hector! We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the future.
Pat Keith T.
2 months ago
Nick did not set current time. — Monday Hoffmans Zach came to fix correct time. We DID NOT want a timed thermostat — we prefer to set temperatures manually
Response from the owner:Thank you, Pat, for your kind words about Giovanni; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that he made a positive impression.
Margaret K.
3 months ago
Clear communication about arrival, service and costs.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Margaret, for your kind words! We appreciate your feedback on our clear communication and are glad you had a positive experience.
Laura B.
3 months ago
Excellent experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Laura, for your 5-star review! We appreciate your support.
Judy T.
3 months ago
I will highly recommend this business for your air and heater repair. Prompt, knowledgeable and courteous service.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Judy, for your kind words and recommendation! We're glad to hear you were pleased with our prompt and courteous service.
Ali G.
3 months ago
Thomas Hoffman was very responsive to our after hours inquiry, even walked us through some trouble shooting over the phone. We provided pictures of the unit and they were able to quickly buy, schedule and install the part to keep our family warm!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ali! We're glad to hear that Thomas was responsive and helpful in getting everything sorted out for you and your family. Your feedback means a lot to us!

The HVAC filter is an integral part of your HVAC unit. To maintain pristine indoor air quality, it helps keep out dust, pet fur, pollen, debris, and other airborne pollutants. HVAC filters achieve this by trapping these substances within their fibers and only allowing clean and fresh air through the HVAC.

If it’s time to swap out your HVAC filter for a new one, here are the main types of HVAC filters to choose from:

Pleated Filters

AS the name suggests, pleated filters have pleated fibers made of polyester or cotton folds that prevent dust and other debris from entering the AC. They are great at filtering out dust, pollen, pet fur, and other tiny particles but have low air filtration, making them less resistant to airflow.

Pleated filters have a huge advantage over non-pleated ones because the pleats increase the surface air for filtration; the more the pleats, the better the filter’s filtering capability. This makes them great for households with pets or near gardens because the pleats filter even the tiniest airborne particles like mold spores.

Electrostatic Filters

Electrostatic filters utilize cotton and paper fibers static to create a magnetic field that attracts airborne particles, including dust, pollen, and mold spores. The magnetic field is strong enough to gather airborne particles in a room and prevent them from spreading all over. This makes them ideal for combating allergens in your home.

Another advantage of electrostatic filters is that they are reusable. All you have to do is give them a good wash and plop them back in your HVAC. This can help you save a bundle on filter replacement costs.

Media Filters

Media filters have a high MERV rating making them marginally better than most standard filters. What’s more, While some standard filters may have the same MERV rating as media filters, media filters are still better because they don’t affect airflow or static pressure. In addition, they have a larger surface area making them better at filtration while reducing static pressure.

Media filters are easy to maintain, and you only have to change them once or twice a year. In addition, these filters can filter the tiniest pollutants, including bacteria, mold spores, and pollen. The best part is that they are very durable yet cost-effective.

Ultraviolet Filters

Ultraviolet or UV filters are special filters because they don’t just keep out the nasty stuff; they also kill bacteria and viruses in the air. These filters use short-wave ultraviolet radiation to eliminate bacteria and viruses when air goes through the HVAC.

This makes them ideal for homes with people extra-sensitive to allergens. However, it’s worth noting that UV filters could turn your indoor oxygen into ozone, which may harm your health. UV filters also aren’t as effective at filtering out dust and other airborne debris from the air as other filters.

Call Us For All Your HVAC Installation or Repair Needs

Every HVAC unit deserves a proper filter to keep the air fresh and clean. Also, remember to get your filters cleaned or replaced at least once every three months, depending on the type of filter you own. That’s the only way the filters can work at their optimum.

Are you looking for HVAC installation or repair services? Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating is here for you. We provide quality installation or repair service with the best price guaranteed. Contact us today for more information.

24/7 Service Call Now

At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.

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