Expensive air filters are made from higher-quality materials, like fiberglass, that can last for up to 12 months. This not only saves you money, but it's also more convenient since you won't have to remember to replace your air filters as often.
While cheap air filters can protect your furnace from large particles, they won't do much for your lungs and indoor air quality. If you're looking to improve the air you breathe, consider a higher-quality filter.
If your air filter has a higher MERV rating, then you will have more surface area to filter particulate matter. A high-quality air filter that costs a few more dollars can help keep the dust and other contaminants out of your lungs while also helping reduce allergens in the home.
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.
The higher a MERV filter, the more it filters the air with better efficiency. This means that a higher MERV will restrict airflow. However, unless your system is older, this might not be an issues for your home. It depends on how much filtration is important to you over system energy efficiency.
If you're looking for an air filter that will provide the best possible protection for your HVAC system and improve your indoor air quality, then an expensive air filter is the way to go. However, if you're on a budget, a cheap air filter can still provide some benefits.
For households working with tight budgets, MERV 8 filters offer cost-effectiveness and minimal upkeep requirements. Superior particle capture and enhanced air quality come with MERV 11 filters, making them suitable for dwellings with pets, allergies, or high pollution.
Pleated filters are more efficient and will last longer than fibreglass filters, as polyester is much denser than fibreglass. The MERV rating of a disposable pleated furnace filter will range from 7 to 9.
One of the main disadvantages of air purifiers with HEPA filters is the need to replace these filters regularly to maintain their effectiveness. A HEPA filter should be changed every 6 to 12 months, depending on its use and the environment in which it is used.
The brand of your air filter does matter.
A well-known brand is more likely to provide accurate information about the filter's MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating or other relevant filtration standards. This information helps you choose a filter that meets your specific air quality needs.
More expensive air filters use more material of a higher quality to better filter your air. The cheapest filters are made of spun fiberglass, which does very little to filter your air compared to materials like paper, cotton or polyester.
On average, you can expect to pay $20 to replace your HVAC filter, with costs commonly ranging from $10 to $50 or even more. Replacing your HVAC filter is the simplest yet most effective way to keep your HVAC system healthy and working properly.
Cheaper Isn't Always Better - Get More Airflow with K&N
K&N filters offer exceptional airflow to your engine - and more airflow often translates to more efficient fuel burn. Disposable filters aren't typically designed with the performance enthusiast in mind; they are designed to be simple, cheap, and functional.
The abbreviation stands for Minimum Effective Reporting Value. In other words, it's a measurement showing how small the holes are in the filter. The higher the MERV number, the smaller the holes, and the less that can pass through. Ultimately, this is what makes MERV 14 filters not a good choice for home use.
The MERV 11 air filter is the wrong choice for people who do not own pets and do not have any breathing trouble; this is because it can lead to restricted airflow. Air filters with higher ratings can also have negative effects on HVAC components.
MERV 13 air filters are the highest-rated air filters for home use. Any air filter with a rating higher than 13 will restrict air flow to the point of which could cause damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an added expense to fix it.
Part of the reason that HEPA filters are so rarely used in HVAC systems is that they are extremely restrictive in terms of airflow. This means that the system needs to be extremely powerful and use additional fans in order to properly draw air through the HEPA filter and circulate it throughout the room or building.
ULPA filters trap more and smaller particulate matter than HEPA filters. ULPA filters are 99.999% effective at removing submicron particulate matter of 0.12-micron diameter or larger, while HEPA filters are 99.97% effective for eliminating particulate matter of 0.3-micron diameter or larger.
Additionally, some HEPA filters may produce noise – a low humming or buzzing sound – when they are running, making them less than ideal for use in bedrooms or quiet office spaces. HEPA filters are limited to particulates. There are harmful gases and fumes that may just pass through a HEPA filter.
Washable filters generally fall very low on the scale, with MERV ratings between 1 and 4. That means they aren't very effective at capturing the microscopic particles that tend to decrease your home's indoor air quality. Disposable filters have a wide range of MERV ratings, typically ranging between 4 and 12.
In general, this is how often changing furnace filters needs to be done: For 1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, replace them every 9 to 12 months.
That's why Lowe's offers a wide selection of house air filters to suit your needs. We even carry air purifier filters for your air purifier. Whether you call it a furnace filter, heater filter or A/C filter, the job is the same: to filter the air you breathe.
However, it's worth noting that filters with higher MERV ratings can restrict airflow. While filters rated 13 or below generally don't strain most HVAC systems, those rated above 10 might require professional installation.
1. HEPA Filters. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are recommended by the U.S. Department of Health because they are able to remove at least 99.97% of airborne allergens and pollutants — including mold spores and dust that are as small as 0.3 microns.