Pleated filters offer more value for their cost when compared to fiberglass. ✓ Pleated filters have more surface area so that they can capture larger amounts of smaller contaminants.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HEPA Air Filters
A HEPA filter is a type of pleated mechanical air filter and is extremely efficient and effective. According to the Environmental Protection Agency can theoretically remove 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.
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.
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.
Pleated filters with MERV ratings from 5 to 8 are classified as medium filters and are the most common in residential HVAC systems.
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.
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.
Air filters can be made from fiberglass, pleated paper, synthetic fibers, and electrostatic materials. These materials are chosen for their ability to capture varying sizes of particles, from large debris to microscopic contaminants, impacting the filter's efficiency, durability, and cost.
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.
Pleating the filter media allows more media contained within the filter frame. More media means more surface area to capture and hold particles. The capacity to hold more dust makes the pleated filters last longer than 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.
Activated carbon is considered one of the safest, most reliable air filter materials available today.
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.
Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
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.
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.
A pleated filter has an MERV rating of 5+. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the amount of particles filtered, and the cleaner the air is on the other side. Note, however, that a higher MERV will require more energy for air passage, since the material is more dense.
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.
No, you should never run your AC without a filter!
The purpose of your air filter is to clean your home's air and to keep your AC system dust- and dirt-free, which is why it's important to only run your AC with a filter installed.