Category AC & Furnace Air Filters

Temperature Is Rising

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29 billion. That’s the amount it costs homeowners every year to power their air conditioning systems. Can you believe that?

With summer on its way, some areas sooner than others, it will only be a matter of time before we all start cranking on our ac units. Some places can avoid it for awhile but it will soon become unbearable in most places. So how can we lower our cooling costs? Below is a list originally posted by the U.S. energy department.

  1. Install and set a programmable thermostat.
  2. Use a fan, the most affordable way to cool.
  3. Insulate your attic, walls and seal cracks.
  4. Insulate and seal your air ducts.
  5. Don’t heat your home with appliances, try grilling.
  6. Install energy efficient window coverings.
  7. Buy an Energy Star qualified ac unit.
  8. Use the bathroom fan when showering and the range-hood when cooking to wick away moisture.

All of these can take time and a little bit of money. So maybe start with the easy stuff and work your way through the list. It will save you money in the long run.

To start, the quickest way to save energy is to regularly clean and replace your cooling unit filters! Which means you need to start here for help!

Do you want to be that guy spending loads of money by turning on your ac unit? Didn’t think so. So heed our advice and if you have any questions give us a call at                         1-800-590-0339.

We Hear You

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In a company like ours; small, family owned, and growing like mad, there will be some growing pains. Every company experiences them from time to time when trying to figure out the best answer to the problem. We have heard your suggestions and we want to address them here.

First of all we want to thank you for being our loyal customers. We know that it would be easier for you to grab a filter at the store along with your other groceries. But we also know that you are concerned about your indoor air quality so you choose to use our product and we thank you for that. We are equally proud of our filters and want to make sure that we put your indoor air quality above all else.

In order to do that we are constantly trying to re-imagine and re-figure pricing and cost and everything else to ensure you are getting a quality filter for a good price but also keep our lights on. Any of you who own a small business you will understand how sometimes we have to make do with something even though it might not be the best choice until we can get to a point where we can justify that choice.

That being said our number one complaint is that the merv rating is not on the filter frame. Trust me, we fully understand. At the moment what we have established is our best option. We are now putting a sticker on the side of the box it ships in that has the corresponding merv rating, color we associate with that merv and a picture of what the filter looks like. We understand that it would be a lot easier to put the merv rating on the filter and it would put your conscience at ease but it would greatly affect the price of our filters and that is something we aren’t willing to compromise right now.

To help put your conscience at ease we operate on a very tight routine. As you know our filters are handmade and are made to order therefore we only make certain merv ratings on certain days to negate any confusion of mixing the merv ratings. That is why when you order a Merv 14 on a Monday it typically won’t get shipped out until later in the week because Merv 14 is made on a particular day. That is how we know that what was made that day is also what is on the sticker on the box. Because nothing else was made that day.

People also commonly ask if they can look at the filter and tell what merv it is. The answer is yes and no. For merv 8-12 the “weave” is such a similar pattern you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. On the other hand if you order merv 14 or merv 15 then yes you would be able to tell because there is a lot more material, it looks fluffier.

In conclusion we hear your suggestion and when we feel we can accomplish that request without compromising the price and quality of the filter we will. We thank you for your loyalty and we hope that you understand we are thinking of you first before anything else. If you have any further questions or suggestions let us know by emailing info@nordicpure.com or giving us a call at our 1800 number. This is how we grow and we intend to keep growing and expanding with your help.

Thank you.

Your Nordic Family

Nordic Pure VS. Competitor

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Take a look at the image below. What do you see?

What we saw was disappointing. A filter from an industry leading company plastic wrapped to hold in the loose carbon particles they have glued to their filter. Compared to our filter that has carbon fused to the media for excellent air flow.

A filter with any adhesive on it would prevent air from flowing. Loosely placed carbon particles could fly off in your system and cause damage to your home’s HVAC system. Not to mention what a mess when you unwrap the filter. Carbon particles falling everywhere!

Disappointed we are by this lack of care for a product that is supposed to go into your home and help you breathe better! But we will let you be the decision makers. We will still continue to make great filters with you in mind for a naturally cleaner and safer world.

 

 

competitorvsours

How to Determine the Correct Size Filter for Your HVAC System

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The simplest solution to finding the proper size of your HVAC filter is to check your system’s Operations Manual to get the proper size to buy.

If you cannot find the manual, you might want to check online, either with the HVAC system’s manufacturer or a distributor who has posted the manual online. You can likely use your browser and put in the make and model number of the unit to find the information you need.

If for some reason, you cannot find a copy of your HVAC systems filter size, remove the existing filter and look for its dimensions. The filter’s dimensions are usually printed on the filter’s frame. The size you find printed on the filter will be slightly larger than the actual filter’s dimensions due to the need for space to insert the filter so don’t let the dimensions confuse you.

For example, let’s take a look at the dimensions of a filter that is 20” x 25” x 5”. According to the dimensions on the filter’s frame, one would assume the filter size is 20” wide x 25” long x 5” thick. Despite this, due to the need for a small amount of additional room in the compartment that holds the filter for proper insertion, the actual dimensions of the filter are: 19-7/8” x 24-7/8” x 4-3/8”.

If you are confused as to the proper size of the filter for your heating and/or air conditioning system, we invite you to consult with our team of Nordic Pure professionals to solve your questions.

Is Your AC Filter Stealing Money and Comfort From You?

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When is the last time you changed your ac or furnace filter? Chances are, unless you are pretty diligent, you likely forget to change your ac or furnace filter as often as you should.

We recommend changing your AC or furnace filter at least every 90 days, or if you or anyone in your family has health issues, allergies to dust mites and pollen or other irritants. To make it really easy to remember when to change your filters, you can use Nordic’s free reminder service so you never forget, ask one of our customer service associates when you order next!

AC and furnace filters work by trapping particulates that are suspended in your indoor air in the filter material, a sheet of polyester fabric that is woven for strength and performance.

As air flows through the system, particulates are trapped in the fabric of the filter. As particulates build up over time, they residually “plug” the filter. The resulting reduction in air flow forces the HVAC system to work harder to push the same amount of air through the system. This results in increased operating costs. Further, as the filter gets “plugged” with contaminants, the ability to purify the air that is flowing through the system is diminished.

An even better way of keeping up with the filter in your HVAC System is to install an Air Gauge that tells you the condition of your filter.

gageOur preferred system is the General Air Gauge. The G-99 Air Filter Gage provides a visual indication of the need to replace the air filters in forced air heating and cooling systems thereby eliminating any guesswork about the condition of your ac or furnace filter.  The gage is installed between the blower and the filter where a slight vacuum exists due to the air flow resistance of the air filter.  Air flowing into the gage, around the calibration screw, lifts a vane in proportion to the negative pressure in the blower compartment.  As the air filter loads, the vacuum increases, raising the vane to indicate a filter change is necessary.

The gage may be calibrated in a negative pressure range from 0.1 to 0.4 inch w.c.  When properly calibrated in this range a vacuum increase of 0.10 to 0.15 inch w.c. will indicate a filter change is necessary.

If you are looking for the perfect solution to maintaining optimum efficiency of your heating and/or cooling system, please consider the GeneralAire Air Gauge.

Let’s Talk About “Made In the USA”

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A lot of major retail stores — from Walmart to Home Depot to Lowe’s  — are promoting “Made in the USA” products in support of American workers. And it’s always great to see products made right here in our country by our fellow citizens.

But there’s a major question concerning just how some of these retail outlets are able to make this claim: Are some manufacturers actually making inferior products to make up for the higher labor costs in the U.S.?

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Until recently, many of the major “name brand” air filters have been manufactured in China or Mexico to cut labor costs. Now, in order to be included in major retailers’ “Made in the USA” promotions, some of these companies have started producing some of their filters in the United States.

For example, you may have noticed in your local “big box” store that the pleated box frame filters by a national brand are being replaced with flimsy, pinch frame filters and a much lower MPR/MERV rating. These “Basic” Air Cleaning filters, which help reduce dust and lint (but don’t eliminate/remove it), are now replacing the micro-particle/allergenic filters on the shelves.

To improve the air quality in your home or office, the minimum efficiency you should consider is a MERV 8/MPR 800. The MERV 8 filters should capture dust, dust mites, pet dander, smoke particles, and also some allergens (like mold spores and pollen).

Please Note: If someone in your household has allergies and/or asthma, we do not recommend fiberglass, poly, or even the new “Basic” air cleaning filters.

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At Nordic Pure, we believe this is an issue of honesty and quality. Our AC Furnace Air Filters have always been, and will always be, made in the USA. And we take great pride in the construction and quality of the materials we use to manufacture our top-quality air filters.

Smart consumers like you know the difference, and can appreciate the quality of our filters and our commitment to service.

Please visit our website at www.NordicPure.com to see our complete line of filtration products. We look forward to serving you!

Nordic Pure Pleated Air Filters are manufactured using strong beverage board frames, not flimsy pinch frames.

Nordic Pure Pleated Air Filters are manufactured using strong beverage board frames, not flimsy pinch frames.

 

Competitors frame for the Basic filters is a flimsy pinch frame that is very easy to bend.

Competitors frame for the Basic filters is a flimsy pinch frame that is very easy to bend.

 

Nordic Pure manufactures using strong, high quality materials.

Nordic Pure manufactures using strong, high quality materials.

 

Competitors filters that are "Made in the USA" with media you can easily see through and flimsy pinch frames.

Competitors filters that are “Made in the USA” with media you can easily see through and flimsy pinch frames.

What are MERV, MPR, FPR Ratings?

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Nordic Pure MERV 12 AC Furnace Filtersmerv_14_optionmerv_15_option   MERV Rating is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value for air conditioner furnace filter media as determined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE. MERV is the primary international air conditioner furnace filter industry standard and is used for rating the ability of a furnace filter to capture and hold particles and pollutants. The measurement used in these ratings is a Micrometer, or micron.

  • A micron is one millionth of a meter (0.000001m) and is not visible to the human eye.
  • A piece of copy paper is about 100 microns.
  • A human hair averages 80 microns in size.
  • Pet dander is 2-4 microns and can linger in the air for hours before it settles on a surface!

NordicPure.com uses the MERV Rating system. NordicPure.com AC Furnace Air Filters are manufactured direct since 1960. We have all standard AC Furnace Air Filters and all custom sized AC Furnace Air Filters. In the average American home, the most common air filter is only a MERV 4. These are usually the furnace filters that you can see through and do not stop particles smaller than 10 microns. Most residential systems are well able to use the MERV 12.

  • MERV Rating is the established air filter industry rating system, but, some companies have developed their own rating systems, based on the ASHRAE MERV Rating.
  • MPR Rating, or Microparticle Performance Rating, was developed by a large manufacturer to grade their air filters based on the ability to filter air particles smaller than 1 micron. The microparticle performance rating is not considered to be the industry standard by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The published MPR Rating numbering system is a scale of 0 – 2700, with their highest published furnace filter equaling the Nordic Pure MERV 13.
  • FPR Rating, or air Filter Performance Rating, is a grading system that uses a color/number system on a scale of 4 (green circle) to 10 (blue circle). Some of their air conditioner filter descriptions refer to the MERV Rating and the MPR Rating, but don’t always agree.

It’s important to note that the MERV Rating is the “MINIMUM” initial efficiency rating. It’s the efficiency rating given to the air conditioner furnace filter when it is brand new and is expressed as a percentage of the total airborne particles of a certain size. As the new air conditioner furnace filter traps more debris, it becomes more efficient – trapping the smallest particles as time goes by. Eventually, every air filter will trap the tiniest particles less than 1 micron, until it becomes so dirty that air cannot get through. Air Filter Gages measure the building pressure behind the aging furnace filter and can let you know it’s time for a AC Furnace Air Filter. Our customers also benefit from our Free Reminder Service that will automatically notify you by email or phone that it’s time to check, change or replace your air conditioner furnace filters.

Nordic Pure manufacture direct since 1960. Multiple air filter media available: MERV 7, MERV 7 Plus Carbon, MERV 8, MERV 8 Plus Carbon, MERV 10, MERV 10 Plus Carbon, MERV 11, MERV 11 Plus Carbon, MERV 12, MERV 12 Plus Carbon, MERV 13, MERV 13 Plus Carbon, MERV 14, MERV 14 Plus Carbon, MERV 15, MERV 15 Plus Carbon and MERV 16.

Nordic Pure AC Furnace Air Filters are available in ½ inch air filters, 1 inch air filters, 2 inch air filters, 4 inch air filters, 5 inch air filters, and 6 inch air filters. Custom size air filters are also available. Please call us at 1-800-590-0339.

www.NordicPure.com

MERV, MPR, FPR, RATING
MERV Rating MPR Rating FPR Rating ASHRAE MINIMUM INITIAL EFFICIENCY Containment and Particles Uses
.30 to 1.0 Microns 1.0 to 3.0 Microns 3.0 – 10.0 Microns
MERV 19-20 (HEPA) N/A N/A 99.99-99.999% < 0.30 Micron
carbon dust
sea salt
all combustion smoke		 Clean Room Manufacturing
Electronics Manufacturing
Pharmaceuticals
Carcinogenic Materials
Hospital Inpatient Care
Surgery
Superior Commercial Buildings
MERV 17-18 (HEPA) N/A N/A > 95%
MERV 16 (HEPA) N/A N/A > 95% > 95% > 95%
MERV 14-15 N/A N/A 75 – 95% > 90% > 90% .30 to 1.0 Microns
All Bacteria
Tobacco Smoke
Fireplace Smoke
Droplet w/Virus (sneeze)
Smog
MERV 13 Black 2200 10 Blue Rating < 75% > 90% > 90% Superior Residential Property
Superior Commercial Property
MERV 12 80 – 90% > 90%
Purple 1500  8-9 Purple Rating 1.0 to 3.0 Microns
Auto Emissions
Dust
Baking Flour
Pet Dander
MERV 11 Red 1000 7 Red Rating 65 – 79% > 85%
MERV 10 50 – 64% > 85% Residential
Commercial
Industrial Workspaces
MERV 8 Light Blue 600 5 Green Rating 70 – 85% 3.0 to 10.00
Mold Spores
Household Dust/Spray
Hair Spray
Dust Mite
Pollen
Sanding Dust
Textile / Carpet Fibers
MERV 7 50 – 69% Minimum filtration workspace
Window units
Fiberglass filters
polyester air filters
MERV 6 400 35 – 49%
MERV 0 – MERV 5 20 – 34%

NordicPure.com Manufactures most of the above MERV Ratings.

Nordic Pure Furnace Air Filters at Amazon Canada

Canada Customers shop for Nordic Pure furnace filters here!