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Comparing the Effectiveness of Three
Types of Furnace Air Filters
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Researched by Cassidy B.
2005-06
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this experiment was to compare the effectiveness of
three different types of air filters used in furnaces.
I became interested in this idea when I learned that some types of air
filters were supposedly better than others. I also have two cousins
with asthma. It made me wonder if the more expensive types would filter
more pollen and dust to help lessen the chance for them to have an
attack. I wanted to see if paying for so-called “better” filters was
worth the extra money.
The information gained from this experiment could help people with
asthma, or other allergies, and possibly save people money depending on
the outcome.
HYPOTHESIS
My hypothesis was that the 3-M brand filter would filter more
particulate mass from the air.
I based my hypothesis on the “Filtrete’s” packaging graph. The graph
shows that the Filtrete micro allergen filter catches the most
particulate.
EXPERIMENT DESIGN
The constants in this study were:
• The homes used in the study.
• The time the air filters were left in the house.
• Method for weighing filters.
• Use of plastic bags to keep filters uncontaminated
during storage.
The manipulated variable was the type of air filter used.
The responding variable was the mass of particles collected in the
filter.
To measure the responding variable, I used a triple beam balance to
weigh the unused filter before putting it into the home, and again
after 3 weeks of use. The difference was the amount of particulate
collected.
MATERIALS
QUANTITY
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1
triple beam balance
1
permanent marker
1
mask (to avoid inhaling any dust)
1
pair of latex gloves (to keep dust off hands)
1(box)
white garbage bags
3
American Air Filters
3
Dirt Demon Dust Shield Air Filters
3
Filtrate Air Filters
PROCEDURES
1. Find 6 home furnaces available for use during
testing.
2. Purchase the same 3 types of filters for each of
the 6 furnaces.
3. Weigh each filter using a triple beam balance.
4. Write initial mass on each filter using a
permanent marker.
5. Put the filter into a clean plastic bag.
6. Label bags with permanent marker (name, install
date, remove date, size, and return in bag).
7. Create a rotation schedule to insure that each
type of filter gets used for 3 weeks in each furnace on a staggered
basis.
8. Rotation schedule as follows
Houses Install 11/12 remove 12/3
Install 12/3 remove 12/24 Install 12/24 remove
1/14
A
$
$$
$$$
B
$$$
$
$$
C
$$
$$$
$
D
$
$$
$$$
E
$$$
$
$$
F
$$
$$$
$
9. Install filters in furnaces (see rotation
schedule).
10. Leave filters in running furnaces for three
weeks.
11. Collect used filters.
12. Put filter back in labeled bag.
13. Install next filter to be used in each of the 6
furnaces (see rotation schedule).
14. Weigh filters using a triple beam balance.
15. Calculate difference from initial mass (record).
16. Repeat steps 10-15 with next filter in schedule
for each furnace.
17. Leave filters in running furnaces for three weeks.
18. Collect filters.
19. Put filters in labeled bags.
20. Weigh filters using a triple beam balance.
21. Calculate difference from initial mass (record).
22. Average mass for each type of filter.
RESULTS
The original purpose of this experiment was the purpose of this
experiment was to compare the effectiveness of three different types of
air filters used in furnaces.
The results of the experiment were for the American Air Filter average
particulate collected was 1.68g, the Dirt Demon Dust Shield’s average
was 2.18g, and the Filtrate Air Filter’s average was 3.49g.
See the table and graph on next page.
CONCLUSION
My hypothesis was that the 3-M brand “Filtrete” filter would filter
more particulate mass from the air.
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted, because
the
3-m brand air filter, overall, collected the most particulate the
brands tested.
After thinking about the results of this experiment, I wonder if I were
to conduct this experiment in a drier or damper area, would the results
be the same?
If I were to conduct this project again I would conduct it in the
summer so there would be more dust, pollen, and other particulate to be
filtered so a bigger difference in the weight would be present. I would
also use more furnaces and do more tests. I’d leave the filters in
longer, at least a month, maybe five weeks. My results showed some
strange and inconsistent values. I would redo my experiment with much
greater care taken when weighing the filters and recording scores.
RESEARCH REPORT
Introduction
Air quality is one of the most important factors in our life. Without
clean air a healthy life would be almost impossible. Although our air
is not always clean, filtration helps take out air pollution and other
air particulate.
Filters
Filtration is the process of removing solid impurities from liquid,
air, or gas. Filtration occurs by passing the air or liquid through a
filter. For example you can separate water from sand by passing the
water through a screen. The screen acts like a sieve and separates the
water from the sand. The sand that is left in the screen is called
residue. The liquid is called the filtrate. Vehicles use gas filters to
filter impurities that are entering the carburetor. Some filters are
made from sand or crushed charcoal, which are called granule filters.
Some may be made of paper or cloth such as in coffee makers.
Different
Types of Air Filtration
There are many types of air filtration. Mechanical air filters remove
particulate on a filter medium. This material makes up the filter
element. The mechanical air filters use many different types of dry
media. All of the usual throwaway filters are mechanical air filters.
These include HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air filters.
Filters are made of many different materials. Some filters include
woven fiberglass. These filters aren’t very high-tech but they can
filter out considerable amounts of dust, bacteria, and plant spores,
which without the filters we would be breathing. Another kind is the
pleated type. It is more efficient than the fiberglass one because it
has a larger surface to trap particulate on. There are also pleated
filters that are electro-statically charged. The charge helps hold the
particulate on the filter.
Electric air filter. These contain a series of wires that are charged
with electricity. The charged wires (or plates) attract the particulate
moved by the heating/cooling fan. When the filter is coated with
particulate its efficiency lowers. Therefore it doesn’t collect as much
particulate until it is clean.
Ion Generators. These types of filters create negative ions that make
the particles charged. Once charged they attach themselves to any
positive surface area (wall, floor, furniture, ceiling, etc.) Once they
have lost their charge they return to the air. This is not a
particulate removal system.
Gas Phase Absorption. It uses an absorption media like carbon. It is
used to absorb gases and odors. These don’t filter solid particulate.
They are used in commercial and industrial applications. They can
absorb 33% to 50% of their weight in gases. For example a 15lb filter
can remove 5-7lbs of gases per week. They take the gases and odors out
of the air.
Air
Pollution
Air pollution is the result of harmful substances that have been
discharged into the air. The effects it has on people are health
problems including burning eyes and nose, itchy irritated throat, and
breathing problems (such as asthma). Some of the chemicals in polluted
air can cause cancer, birth defects, brain and nerve damage, and
long-term injury to the lungs and breathing passages. Certain air
pollutants are dangerous to a high level and can cause serious injury
or death.
Besides hurting humans, polluted air can also hurt the environment and
property. Trees, lakes, and animals suffer from air pollution. It thins
the ozone layer which may contribute to global warming.
Some major air pollutants are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,
chlorofluorocarbons, lead, nitrogen, and sulfur dioxide.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. The molecular formula
for carbon monoxide is CO. It is formed by a carbon atom bonded to an
oxygen atom. This is a result of poor installation of a appliance,
damage to a appliance, improperly burned fuel, or poorly ventilated
rooms when it can’t escape. Since it is colorless, tasteless, and
odorless, it is very dangerous.
Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas emitted by human activity (burning
of coal, oil, and natural gas). It is also caused by volcanic out
gassing, or organic matter combustion. Plants utilize carbon dioxide
during photosynthesis.
Chlorofluorocarbons are chemicals used in great quantities in
refrigerators. They are haloalkanes with chlorine and fluorine. They
are used widely in industries. They are used as refrigerants,
propellants, and cleaning solvents. The use of chlorofluorocarbons are
now prohibited.
Lead is a highly toxic metal which has many hazardous effects on young
children. The chemical element has the symbol of Pb. Lead is bluish
white when freshly cut, but turns dull gray when exposed to air. It is
used in building, lead-acid batteries, bullets and shot. Lead is a part
of solder, pewter, and fusible alloys. It has the highest atomic number
of all stable elements, and has poor electrical conductivity. It’s
Highly resistant to corrosion, and is used to contain corrosive liquids.
Nitrogen is a major cause of smog and acid rain, and particulate matter
which is any type of solid air matter that can be taken out by air
filtration. Has the periodic symbol of N. The atomic number for
nitrogen is 7. It is also colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It forms
78 percent of the earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen forms many important
compounds such as amino acids, ammonia, and nitric acid.
Sulfur dioxide is caused by burned coal and oil. It usually occurs over
power plants and during metal smelting. Sulfur dioxide is emitted in
other industrial processes as well. This causes temporary breathing
defects in children and adults with asthma who do outside activities
often.
Asthma
& Allergens
Asthma is a disease that can occur in any human. It is a disease of the
respiratory system. Asthma is caused by genetics, development, and
environmental factors. When a human with asthma has an attack, the
airway closes. To relieve these symptoms, the person has to use an
inhaler, a medical device that delivers medication into the lungs and
helps the person breathe. You can be born with asthma, or asthma can
also be caused by second hand smoke, or other repeated irritants.
Allergens are stimuli that cause allergy attacks. There are many
different types of allergens such as pollen, animal dander, and dust.
When exposed to these, people with allergies have symptoms such as
inflammation and redness, itchy burning skin, sneezing, and closing of
the airways. Filtration helps to take out those particles to make the
life of those with allergies easier. Allergies, also called Type
1 hypersensitivity, are an immune malfunction. A person’s body becomes
hypersensitive to different things such as pollen.
Summary
Although our air may not be the cleanest, it is improved with the help
of filtration. You can find filters in any modern furnace. Schools and
work places use filters to keep the air clean and healthy for the
people in the buildings. Air is a vital factor in our life and it is
important to keep it clean.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
- “Air Filters and Filtration” Airpure International.
12/14/05 <http://www.airpure.com/filtration.html>
- “Air Filtration Fundamentals” Pure Air Systems
Incorporated. 12/14/05
<http://www.pureairsystems.com/university_103.cfm>
- “Air Pollution Fact Sheet” Environmental Health
Center. 12/7/05 <http://www.nsc.org/ehc/mobile/airpollu.htm>
- “Asthma” Net Doctor. 10/28/05
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/asthma.htm>
- “Carbon dioxide” Wikipedia. 19 January 06
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide>
- “Chloroflourocarbons” Wikipedia. 1/18/06
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloroflourocarbons>
- “Lead” Wikipedia. 1/18/06.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lead>
- “Nitrogen” Wikipedia. 1/18/06
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen>
- Petrie, Gavin and Klenerman, Paul. “What is asthma?”
Net Doctor. 10/28/05
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/asthma.htm>
- “What is carbon monoxide,” Carbon monoxide kills.
2005 <http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/coinformation.htm>
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the following people for helping make my project
possible:
• My parents for encouraging me to do my best and
helping me whenever needed.
• My brother for telling me and encouraging me to do
the program.
• Mr. Newkirk and Mrs. Viernes for helping me along
the way.
• All 6 homeowners who allowed me to use their
furnaces for my testing.
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