Pleated air filters cost more than fiberglass but provide a longer filter life and higher efficiency.
Pleated vs non-pleated air filters tend to greatly restrict air flow due to density of material they are made of. They tend to increase energy consumption and can skyrocket your energy bill. Pleated air filters might also require you to modify your HVAC system in order to accommodate them.
Most Popular Air Filter Material:
Polyurethane Foam Air Filter Media: Resilient and flexible air filter material that is reusable.
For most residential homes, you should typically go with something between a MERV 6 and a MERV 12. Anything above this will restrict the airflow to your system, which will force it to work much harder to heat or cool your home. In most instances, a MERV filter with a 6-8 rating will be fine for residential purposes.
With a MERV rating nearing 16, HEPA filters provide the highest protection for your home. They're able to remove even the smallest microns or airborne particles, including tobacco and bacteria. Those who live with allergies or other respiratory issues may benefit from HEPA filters the most.
Fiberglass filters shield HVAC systems by capturing bigger debris but are less effective at filtering small particles. If you're looking to reduce allergies, pleated filters are recommended. Pleated filters are better at improving indoor air quality and may cost a little bit more, but they have higher MERV ratings.
Pleated filters can restrict airflow slightly more than non-pleated ones, but they balance filtration and airflow. Choosing the right MERV rating (between 8 and 13) ensures your system gets proper airflow while still effectively filtering the air.
Yes, fiberglass filters are safe. However, they are not as durable as pleated filters and if they are not replaced frequently, they run the risk of falling apart and damaging your HVAC unit.
Expensive air filters, on the other hand, are more efficient at trapping particles. This means that fewer harmful contaminants can enter your system, and you'll be able to enjoy better indoor air quality.
There are thousands of portable air purifiers that can help, but the best room air filter for dust is a HEPA filter. Unlike home air filters for an HVAC system, highly efficient HEPA air filters work very well in a standalone air purifier. A HEPA air filter traps 99.97% of particles in the air.
Because of their design, pleated air filters can capture dirt, pollen, dust, pet dander, bacteria, and more, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers or individuals with respiratory issues.
Switch To Pleated Filters
Fiberglass air filters will get the job done, but in most cases, pleated air filters are much better. Pleated air filters capture smaller particles and are less likely to clog within a short period of time.
Coal filtration, often referred to as activated carbon filtration, uses activated carbon derived from coal to reduce impurities in water. This method is highly effective due to the large surface area and porous structure of activated carbon, which allows it to capture a wide variety of contaminants.
Pleated air filters are made from sheets of cotton, paper or polyester that are folded into pleats, thus increasing their surface area. They tend to cost a bit more money—on the front end—than fiberglass air filters.
The most important thing to remember about air filters is to change them regularly. Generally, it's recommended that residential air filters are changed every 30 days when using regular fiberglass filters.
Initial unladen performance of pleated filters is marginally better than foam equivalents, however as particles begin to build up between the pleat pack recesses, this blocks up the potential flow area – thus reducing performance.
Filtrete Air Filters imply that they are as good as air purifiers but are not in the same category or performance arena. Filtrete air filters are built to work with homes equipped with forced-air heating and cooling systems. Simply put, Filtrete is not the best choice for your home and the air quality inside of it.
Filters with a MERV rating of 8-13 are usually higher-end filters for home use or high-quality commercial filters. These filters are typically the right choice for use in homes and many businesses.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioner Engineers (ASHARE) recommends a MERV 6 or higher. Most people go with a MERV 8 filter. Most residential areas can remove contaminants with MERV 8 to MERV 13, while most hospitals use MERV 14 to MERV 20.
In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn't too high for residential use. Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without impacting airflow.
For instance, MERV 8 filters catch larger particles and are less restrictive, while MERV 11 filters catch smaller particles and are more restrictive. This means MERV 11 filters not only have higher initial resistance but also build up additional resistance faster as they capture more debris.
Cons: These filters cost more to purchase, ranging from $5 to $15. The lower frequency of changes does offset this. For some HVAC systems, a pleated filter may be too powerful and it will restrict airflow and cause a decline in system energy efficiency. Check with our HVAC experts about this.
Pleated air filters are more expensive at the outset, but they are also more efficient at trapping particles and can last up to 90 days, depending on use. When you purchase a new air filter, you'll find the manufacturer's recommendations for the replacement schedule.
A pleated filter is made up of different sizes, and readily captures pathogens as small as 0.3 microns, filtering out even the tiniest of bacteria. They are overall more effective in capturing very tiny particles than non-pleated air filters; 99.97% of airborne particles are trapped with a pleated air filter.