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.
Disposable Pleated
These filters are made from paper and polyester, which helps them to effectively remove dust particles and allergens from the air. Pleated filters are more efficient and will last longer than fibreglass filters, as polyester is much denser than fibreglass.
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.
Fiberglass filters are the 1-inch blue filters that can be found at most hardware and large retail stores. They are made of spun glass that captures large particles from your home's air and typically come with a MERV rating between 1 and 4.
Fiberglass. These are lowest on the MERV scale, with ratings generally from two to four. They are the filters you'll find in most furnaces, and are made of spun fiberglass about an inch thick. They protect your furnace from dust, but don't do much to improve IAQ.
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.
Cheap air filters are typically made from lower-quality materials, like cardboard and paper, that don't last as long as their more expensive counterparts. This means that you'll have to replace them more often, which can end up costing you more in the long run.
The surface area is small and can't capture as many contaminants as pleated filters, making them a poor choice for allergy sufferers and individuals with respiratory issues. If you don't change your fiberglass air filters regularly (every 30 days or less) - they will become clogged and can impede airflow.
MERV 11 is generally not too high for most home HVAC systems and provides effective filtration, capturing smaller particles like pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. This level is beneficial for households with allergy sufferers or pets, as it improves indoor air quality.
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.
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.
Reverse osmosis water filters are good at effectively removing a high percentage of toxins including fluoride, hexavalent chromium, arsenic, nitrates/nitrites, copper, radium, salt, and more. Talk about a good bang for your buck – reverse osmosis filters are incredibly popular for a very good reason.
On a 1-16 MERV rating scale, fiberglass air filters typically have a rating of 2-3. Pleated air filters don't need to be replaced as often (they typically last 90 days). Pleated air filters provide better overall air quality, with MERV ratings ranging from 7-13.
Pleated filters with MERV ratings from 5 to 8 are classified as medium filters and are the most common in residential HVAC systems.
Filter media is a mix of fiber and air, and it's often pleated. In fact, Filtrete™ Filter media is less than 15 percent fiber; the rest is air. This very low density allows air to easily flow through the media.
For most homes, a MERV rating between 8 and 13 strikes the perfect balance between filtration, airflow, and cost. A MERV 11 filter, for instance, can last up to six months and offers excellent air cleaning without putting too much strain on your HVAC system.
In general, the best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 8-10. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without making your energy costs rise significantly.
High-MERV filters increase the static pressure of your system, and if the ductwork is already marginal, this can cause the airflow to drop to a level where the temperature exceeds the furnace's limit.
Efficiency and lifespan
In terms of efficiency, polyester filters outperform fiberglass ones as they can trap smaller particles and allergens. Fiberglass filters usually need to be replaced every 30 days, while polyester filters have a longer lifespan, often around 60-90 days.
You may spend a few dollars more on a filter with a higher MERV rating. A fiberglass air filter typically has a MERV rating of 2 or 3, telling us it holds up against large pollutants well. However, it may be congested much faster than a pleated filter with a 5+ MERV.
Pleated air filters can restrict airflow to some extent due to their denser construction and larger surface area. Non-pleated air filters generally have lower airflow resistance compared to pleated filters.
A contractor knows cheap filters trap fewer particles floating in your air. A cheap furnace filter has a larger weaving for larger particles that affect your furnace operation. If you don't mind breathing smaller particles floating in your home then inspect the filter more often and replace when needed.
Expensive air filters are made of better-quality materials than cheap air filters. They are often made of fiberglass, which is a porous material that can trap more dust and pollen than other materials like cardboard or paper. Fiberglass also resists moisture and does not tear as easily as other materials.
NO. A furnace filter has a critical job to perform and a filter cannot be run without one. For a furnace to work properly, it should always be equipped with a clean, working filter. As we'll see, a dirty filter can cause problems, and so can having no filter at all.