_____________________________________________ Replace HVAC (Heating/Ventilation/AC Filters) for Minimizing Cleaning Work & Dust Heating & Cooling, Ventilation contractors Search or submit for work on HVAC to find contractors. Cleaning Services For construction cleanup and general cleaning projects. The furnace filter is probably the most cost-effective maintenance item you will ever come across. You may want to check on during drywall-related, carpentry, sanding or other phases of work. A quality filter can help trap dust, bacteria and other harmful elements in the air. Some of the newer filters can even claim effective ratings down to about less than 1 micon* These offer considerably improved performance over conventional fiber filters. For greater efficiency yet, check into electronic filter add-ons. Ask your Heating and Cooling / Ventilation contractors for further advice on this. Normally, when to change the filter depends on your own particular circumstances, including interior smoke and pet dander,and exterior weather conditions like dust drift due to extended periods of dryness, a concentrated pollen count, spores and more. Remember, it’s always wise to change filters both during and after construction, and after the final cleaning. Especially if the finishing of drywall is being performed. (mainly sanding) In regards to dust attributable to drywall work: ask your contractor about any possible methods of containment like use of curtain walls, equipment; like drywall vacuums, and frequency of job cleanup. Be prepared though, drywall dust has a habit of hanging easily in the air and traveling from almost any room to the next. Other work like from carpentry will create dust such as from sanding operations. Some contractors employ methods for the containment of dust, like attached vacuums, which keeps it to a lesser extent. * For additional information see ASHRAE – the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers in reference to MERV – the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (established by ASHRAE to help in the evaluation of air filters)