3M: Innovation in Air Filter Technology

3M is a trusted source for air conditioning and furnace filters, and has been in business for over 100 years. But the company didn’t start out selling their famous 3M furnace filter. 3M is an example of how adaptability is crucial for success in the business world. Instead of accepting failure, goals were changed and victory as achieved. The five founders, Bryan, Cable, Dwan, McGonagle and Budd, incorporated their company first before discovering what they wanted to market. 3M was originally started as a mining project to unearth minerals for grinding wheel abrasives, but when that idea failed, they took the company in a new direction and investigated the use of sandpaper products. The year 1916 marked the first dividend, totaling 6 cents a share.

3M is a leader in forward-thinking and innovative alterations to their products. Through testing they were able to create the first waterproof sandpaper. 3M developers also created masking tape, and the company owns the trademark for Scotch Tape.  3M also owns the trademarks for recognizable products such as Scotch-Brite and Thermofax, as well as their own photo paper, overhead projectors, medical products and dental products all the way through the sixties. In the 1970s and 1980s, 3M expanded it’s reach into the pharmaceutical industry. Post-it notes were designed in 1980, creating a new way to organize thoughts. 3M has received the Energy Star rating for 6 years in a row due to the technological advancement of their products and attention to how they affect the environment. Just this past year in 2012, 3M has developed Solar Mirror Film 1100 for concentrated solar power.

As grand as 3M’s ambitions may be for technological advancement, they still sell humble products such as masking tape, Post-it notes, and a replacement furnace filter. 3M air conditioning and furnace filters are available in nearly every size, considering the company has been around as long as most furnaces have been in existence. 3M furnace filters have MERV ratings of 8 to 11. The MERV rating is important for those with allergies. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter can capture dust and debris that agitate the respiratory system. The fibers of a filter with a high MERV rating are denser, but are also more expensive. Using a filter with a lower MERV rating might be the best economical choice for those without extreme allergies, considering filters need to be cleaned or changed every three months. 3M filters exhibit a classically pleated electrostatic design. Less expensive fiberglass filters and reusable washable filters are also available.

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Guest post is provided by Your Filter Connection, offering a complete 3M air filter selection. Visit the website at www.yourfilterconnection.com for other brands like Honeywell and Filtrete.