Water & Air – Filter Systems News

Everyone is making savvier decisions about their personal spending costs these days. Who does not want to save money? For you, our loyal customers, FiltersFast.com wants to provide you with the Internet’s Best Price Guarantee on air filters and water filters.

Many sites require that you purchase an item before receiving a price match, however we will match a competitor’s price before you purchase it. That’s right! Should you find an item that is advertised for less on another site, simply complete the Product Guarantee Form found on our Low Price Guarantee page before you buy.

Guidelines for our Lowest Price Guarantee:

• Products advertised on other sites must be the exact same brand, part number and SKU. They also must be in stock, brand new and sealed in their factory box and have a published online price. We will not price match items from classified ads or auction sites, nor are we able to match prices for limited-quantity offers, closeouts, mail-in rebates, gift cards, gift checks, free promotional products, membership specials or clearance specials. Only the websites of U.S. corporations will be considered when price matching. Some manufacturer’s institute a minimum advertised price policy and Filters Fast is unable to offer prices lower than those specified by these manufacturers. Guarantee claim is limited to one item per person.
• Because there are some sites that put up false prices, Filters Fast reserves the right to determine which sites are legitimate retailers and reserves the right to not sell products below its costs. Filters Fast cannot match prices resulting from another site’s typographical errors. Furthermore, Filters Fast will factor in differences in shipping charges, taxes, handling charges and any other charges assessed between FiltersFast.com and competing sites.
• Filters Fast reserves the right to change or cancel the low price guarantee at any time without notice.

For additional information on how you can take advantage of getting the best bang for your buck, check out our Guaranteed Lowest Price Offer!

We have to breathe; we have to drink water. It’s what we have to do to stay alive. Just like food, air and water is essential to life. We stop breathing or ingesting water, we simply stop living. Sadly due to many factors, oftentimes the water we drink and the air we breathe is not safe. Millions around the world die from water-related illnesses each year. None of us want to put our health at risk by drinking contaminated water or breathing polluted air. Preferably we would rather drink clean, pure water and breathe clean, fresh air. Who wouldn’t? The 3M Filtrete series of air filters and water hydration stations offer a great way to get that fresh air and clean water that you’ve always wanted. Below are a few products that will get you on track to having cleaner air and water in your home:

The Filtrete Ultra Allergen Air Filter is one of the best-performing furnace filters on the market. This filter will remove pollen, mold spores, smoke, household dust, bacteria and virus carrying particles. The Filtrete Ultra Allergen Air Filter provides better airflow than the Micro Allergen filter with 15% lower resistance.

The Filtrete Water Station- Four Bottle Water Filter allows you to filter and bottle your own water.  Just fill the Filtrete Water Station with water from your sink, and the Fast Flow Filter reduces sediment and the taste and odor of chlorine from your water. There’s no need to buy costly bottled water, which often is nothing more than filtered tap water anyway. By using the Filtrete Water Station to bottle your own water, you’ll be saving yourself money and saving the environment from the many plastic water bottles that go unrecycled each year. Also, for the entire month of April, you will receive free shipping with the purchase of this Filtrete Water Station.

The 3M Filtrete Air Purifier-Ultra Quiet  captures 96% of pollen, mold spores, dust mites, dust, bacteria and virus carrying particles from your air. Designed for small rooms, this air purifier is perfect for offices, dorm rooms, nurseries, small bedrooms, or anywhere you want to purify the air without hearing it. This 3M Filtrete Air Purifier also bears the government-backed Energy Star symbol for energy efficiency, meaning it saves energy, saves money and saves the environment.

While many of us take it for granted there are many that do not have clean water to drink or clean air to breathe. In appreciation of World Water Day, let us not forget those who do not have access to clean water. Let’s chip in to do our part, to truly make clean air and clean water for all.

The cleanliness of the air you breathe inside your home is very important. Indoor air pollution is one of the biggest, yet often overlooked problems in our society today.  Every day activities such as walking, vacuuming and dusting stir up millions of particulates in your home. These particulates often include pollen, dust mite, pet dander, mold spores, debris, bacteria, and even viruses. All of these airborne pollutants can cause serious and even detrimental effects on your immune system. Fortunately, there is a solution. Air cleaners have been proven to be very beneficial to your overall health. They reduce allergies, sinus problems, respiratory issues, and even have been shown to help you sleep better at night.

Whole house air purification systems are especially recommended for better air quality inside of your home. Although there are different types of whole house air purification systems, the Trion Duct Mount HE Plus 1400 can be especially useful. The Trion Duct Mount HE 1400 is recognized for having the strongest cabinets, most reliable power supplies and the sturdiest cells within the industry.

The Trion HE Plus 1400 is designed to mount to the duct work in your heating and cooling system. It allows recirculated air to pass through the cleaner and prevents airborne contaminants from being constantly recirculated throughout your home.  In addition, it captures 95% of airborne pollutants as small as 0.1 microns in size, and comes with a three year limited warranty.

Don’t let indoor air pollution be a problem in your home. Get the Trion HE Plus 1400 and ensure that you are indeed getting a breath of fresh air for you and your family.

More people are using air and water filters for residential and commercial use.

According to a recent research report from The Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company publishing more than 100 annual industry research studies, results shows that the demand for filters in the United States is expected to increase by 7.1% each year to $12.6 billion in 2015. What on earth could be causing this surge in air and water filter usage?

This study sites reasons that include an ongoing trend toward strengthening environmental regulations, especially an increase in those involved with reducing emissions from electric utilities and diesel engines. Concerns about water quality and indoor air quality are also increasing the demand for filters in this area of consumer goods. In light of heightened awareness regarding drinking water contaminants and air pollution, we are finding that more consumers are replacing their motor vehicle cabin and air filters, diesel emissions filters, residential air filters and water filters more frequently.

Fluid filters used for municipal water and waste, as well as consumer water and industrial fluid filters, account for the largest share of filter consumption. The use of internal combustion engine filters such as oil filters, air intake filters, cabin air filters and fuel filters account for the second largest share of filter consumption. The growing concern about the water we consume and the air we breathe is creating a proactive approach regarding the heightened concerns with water, indoor and outdoor air quality. For your family’s health and well-being, be sure to replace your water, air, humidifier and vehicle filters as recommended, depending on usage and environmental quality for optimal performance.

For all of you savvy Smartphone and tablet computer users, Filters Fast is pleased to announce the launch of a new and convenient way of shopping for your air filters and water filters. You can now order your products through our mobile site, while browsing through many online applications on our website. All you have to do is go to www.filtersfast.com on your mobile phone or tablet and get connected to your Filters Fast shopping network experience.

Smartphone and tablet computer users also have the option to speak directly to a customer service representative, by simply clicking on the phone number and be directed to the customer service department. Visitors to our mobile site are still eligible for our Flat Rate, next business day shipping of $1.99 for orders over $99 and $5.95 for orders under $99.

image source: oilchangexpress.com

Did you know that most cars made after 2000 have a cabin air filter? (CAF) A lot of people don’t, but not changing yours regularly can result in health problems for you and your passengers, and extra wear and maintenance for your car’s HVAC system.  For the majority of cars built after 2000, CAFs are either standard equipment, or are included as an option. If you’re not sure if your car has a CAF, consult your owner’s manual. Many CAFs are located either beneath the hood or under the dashboard, often behind the glove compartment. Changing your car’s CAF is usually a simple and easy proposition often taking less than 10 minutes to undertake. Most can be changed with simple hand tools, or simply by hand.

The importance of keeping a clean CAF in your car can’t be overstated. When the CAF becomes clogged and dirty, those inside the car start to breathe the outside air which is often polluted with contaminants and noxious gases. Also, your car’s HVAC will start to be taxed and have to work harder than it has to if the CAF isn’t changed regularly. Recommendations call for the CAF to be changed every year or 10,000 to 15,000 miles.

Most CAFs are composed of three layer of filter media: two outer layers that capture larger particles  such as pollen, dust, mold spores, soot, and smog, and an inner layer made of activated charcoal or electrostatically charged to remove gases and odors from the air entering your car’s interior. Filters Fast offers a wide selection of CAFs for many different makes and models of cars. To see if we carry your car’s CAF, simply go to www.filtersfast.com and type your car’s make and model into our search bar. Changing your CAF regularly can save your health, and extend your car’s life.

Photo from Secure Lite Window Company

In the United States, we change our clocks in the spring for Daylight Savings Time and in the fall for Standard Time. As Sunday November 6 approaches, we welcome the moment to set our clocks back by one hour, since our days are shorter and the nights get longer. As a constant reminder, do not forget to change the batteries in your fire alarms and change the air furnace filters in your home.

Many of these things are recommendations you have heard before, but with the cost of fuel and electricity going up, we all could use that extra money to spend on something else more utilitarian. Here are some practical energy and money-saving tips to help you prepare to winterize your home:

• Change your air furnace filter

Based on the type of filter you have, we suggest that you change your air filters every 3 to 6 months, based on usage and indoor air quality. Filters help to capture airborne allergens and pollutants that could trigger health ailments and such things as carpet soiling. Proper maintenance of your air furnace will help to optimize the performance of your system, especially during the cold days of the winter season.

• Unplug appliances and electronics

Many appliances like washing machines, dryers, electronics, cell phone chargers and other electrical appliances tend to draw a lot of power when they are still turned off and plugged into the socket. To prevent constant draining of your power, unplug those electrical-related items.

• Check for air leakage

During the winter months especially, warm indoor air can seep through any size space and escape out of your home. Be sure to secure around your windows and doors to prevent this loss of energy and rising heating costs.

• Turn off the lights

Unknowingly, we tend to leave lights on in unoccupied rooms. Try using Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL) in place of your standard incandescent light bulb. These light bulbs remind you of a neon light, but use 75% less energy and lasts up to 10 times longer than your standard bulb.

• Allow natural light during the day

Instead of keeping your blinds or curtains closed during the day (which keeps your house cooler by the way), allow the sunlight to shine in and warm the inside of your home. This will help to reduce the use of your air furnace and saves energy! Cha-ching$

• Unblock vents

If you have anything like furniture, boxes or other storage items in the front of your vents, this will block the flow of air into your living area and put undue strain on your air furnace. If air is not flowing freely from your registers into air returns, this could pose to be a safety hazard and increase your energy costs.

• Wash with cold water when possible

We know that washing with hot water will dry your skin out from its natural moisture. The same concept applies to your clothes. If you have to use hot water for certain items, that is ok, but where you can transition to using cold water will save the wear on your clothes and save energy. Try to accumulate enough clothes to wash once a week. Frequent washing with your washing machine, as well as your dishwasher, will increase the wattage of energy that you use.

• Reduce your water heater settings

The ideal setting for the water heater in many homes is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. By maintaining a set temperature level, corrosion and mineral build-up is decelerated. Be sure to apply according to the temperature levels in your area and your appliance manuals for suggested temperature settings to help them operated to their maximum potential.

These are just a few practical tips to apply to your home. Preparing your home now to use less energy will show significant savings in your monthly energy bills.

Filters Fast MERV 11 Air and Furnace Filter

Air filters remove airborne allergens and pollutants such as dust, mold, pollen, pet dander and bacteria from your indoor air. There is a vast array of air filters with different levels of measurement for determining the concentration of different particle sizes, usually by weight or count. This measurement of performance for air filters is called Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (or a MERV rating). MERV ratings come from ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2: Method of Testing General Ventilation Air Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size.

ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, accredits and ensures that the characteristics and performance of products are consistent with terms, definitions and testing of products. ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, develops standards for its members and other professionals involved with refrigeration processes and the maintenance and design of indoor environments.

 A MERV rating is based on three composite, average removal efficiency points for particles. Categories range from 1 (very low) to 16 (very high). The higher the rating, the more efficient your air filter will help to reduce indoor airborne allergens, pollutants and contaminants.

 MERV 1 to 4 filters provides minimal filtration. These filters have to be replaced quite frequently and are typically disposable fiberglass or synthetic panel filters within a cardboard frame. These filters capture up to 80% of airborne particles as small as 10 microns. MERV 5 to 8 filters are good for capturing dust and mold spores. These filters have to be replaced, depending on usage, every 3 months. MERV 8 replacement air filters  will reduce pollen, pet dander, dust and other contaminants as small as 3.0 microns.

 MERV 9 to 12 furnace air filters capture up to 95% of airborne particles and contaminants like pollen, dust mites and mold spores, as small as 1.0 microns. These filters come in a deep pleated, boxed media or bag filters, which are some of the most efficient filters used in homes and commercial buildings.

 MERV 13 to 16 air filters will trap up to 98% of airborne allergens and pollutants such as bacteria, tobacco smoke, cooking oil and droplet nuclei, as small as 0.3 microns. Filtration should be applied to process both return and outside air that is delivered as supply air.  Finding the best-rated air filter for your particular need or application will help to keep your air clean and fresh. Don’t forget to change your air filter as recommended and especially when you change your clocks to Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time.

Sick building syndrome or SBS refers to situations where “building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified,” according to the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality website. This can occur either in a specific room or area, or throughout the building.

Symptoms can include:

• headache
• eye, nose, or throat  irritation
• dry cough
• dry or itchy skin
• dizziness and nausea
• difficulty in concentrating
• fatigue
• sensitivity to odors

Although the cause of the symptoms is usually not known, sufferers usually report feeling better soon after they leave the building. Poor ventilation, as well as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) not effectively distributing air throughout the building, seems to be a major contributing factor in SBS.

Indoor and outdoor pollution sources can also contribute to SBS. Indoor air pollution sources include:

• adhesives
• carpeting
• upholstery
• manufactured wood products
• copy machines
• pesticides
• cleaning agents

These sources can emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde.  Tobacco smoke emits high levels of VOCs, as well as other toxic compounds, and breathable particulate matter. The products of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and breathable particles come from burning sources like unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces and gas stoves.

Outdoor pollution sources such as motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents, and bathroom and kitchen exhausts can contribute to indoor air pollution. Also, biological contaminants including bacteria, molds, pollens, and viruses may breed in standing or stagnant water in various locations throughout a building.

Removing or modifying the pollutant source when it is known and controllable is perhaps the best way to resolve an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problem. Also increasing ventilation and air distribution can help the problem.  Another method is to use air cleaners. Finally, using furnace or air filters, especially high performance filters that capture smaller, breathable particles is a great way to alleviate SBS.

The primary cause of home indoor air quality problems, according to the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality website,  are indoor pollution sources that release harmful gases or particles into the air. Other factors that can contribute to poor indoor air quality are inadequate ventilation, and high temperature and humidity. Sources of indoor air pollution include combustion sources, building materials and furnishings, cabinetry or furniture made of pressed wood products, household cleaning and maintenance products, as well as personal care products, and central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices. Outdoor air pollution sources including radon and pesticides can also contribute to poor indoor air quality.

When there is too little outdoor air entering a home, health and comfort problems can arise from pollutants accumulating. Many houses are designed to prevent air from entering the house, which can cause pollutant levels to rise. This can cause immediate effects such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Other immediate effects include symptoms of diseases such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever. There are also long term health effects that may occur years after exposure or after long or repeated periods of exposure.  These include respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer.

One solution to this problem is to install mechanical ventilation devices, such as outdoor-vented fans and also air handling systems. Air handling systems use fans and duct work to remove indoor air and bring in filtered and conditioned outdoor air into the house.  Filters Fast offers an extensive line of air filters to keep the air in your house clean and pure. We also carry many quality air purifiers that circulate and purify indoor air.