The right HVAC filters can make a huge difference between air that is full of contaminants and air that is clean and healthy to breathe. Knowing the different types of home air filters is the first step to getting the best indoor air quality you deserve. Not only do these filters remove dust allergens, mold spores, and other pollutants from the air your family breathes, but they also filter out fine dirt particles that can degrade the performance of the HVAC system itself. A secondary benefit of a good air filter is improved IAQ, which means the whole family breathes better.
Good air filters can stop biological contaminants, pet dander, dirt, mold spores, and other contaminants. Cheap air filters can only stop the largest particles (sand and sand, hair, dust). Heating and cooling are likely to make up a significant part of your utility bill. But one small thing is the air filter that keeps the entire central air system working. A dirty filter can restrict airflow, preventing the system from working the way it's supposed to, and that can eventually cause equipment failure. If you have little airflow, check the air filter, since clogged filters are one of the most common reasons.
Household HVAC air filters are rated based on their MERV rating, with most household filters between 1 and 13 (more than 13 are for HEPA filters). You'll read elsewhere that pleated filters restrict airflow, leading to a harder working oven or air conditioning unit that increases your energy costs and burns the engine. If all dimensions are the same, a filter with a higher MERV rating and more folds per inch will have the same or better airflow than the same filter with a lower MERV rating and fewer folds. We measure how well an air filter removes dust, pollen and smoke from the air, and we see how freely air flows through the filter at any fan speed. However, it is absolutely necessary for trained professionals to install these filters, as a deep medium filter will require changes to its ducts and blower.
Higher quality, more expensive filters trap more particles and can improve oven performance. When comparing the cost of a pleated filter with a non-pleated filter, you have to triple the price per filter of the non-pleated filter to get an accurate comparison. In addition, pleated filters do not have to be changed as often as just one every 3 months compared to the once-a-month frequency of non-pleated filters. The cheapest filters are made of spun fiberglass, which does very little to filter the air compared to materials such as paper, cotton or polyester.
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