Expensive Air Filters Are Produced From High-Quality Materials. 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.
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.
Yes, more expensive air filters can make a difference, but the extent of that difference depends on several factors: Filtration Efficiency: Higher-priced filters often have better filtration ratings (like MERV ratings), which indicate their ability to capture smaller particles.
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.
For good filtration, Filtrete™ Clean Living Filters with an MPR of at least 600 can help. If dust is an allergen trigger, consider our Dual-Action Micro Allergen Plus 2X Dust Defense Filter, which has a higher MPR and holds twice as much dust as other Filtrete™ Filters.
Using a filter above MERV 13 in a home is unnecessary and can restrict airflow and damage the HVAC system. According to the EPA, MERV 13 filters can capture up to 90% of particles between 3 and 10 microns, up to 85% between 1 and 3 microns, and up to 50% between . 3 and 1 microns.
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.
Expensive air filters are made from higher-quality materials, last longer, are more efficient at trapping particles, and have a larger surface area to filter. This can lead to better indoor air quality and improved health.
Cheaper Isn't Always Better - Get More Airflow with K&N
A K&N filter is a premium upgrade that is designed for the highest level of quality at every step in the manufacturing process, and tested to give you extra "oomph" from the off-road to the onramp.
Simply put, the higher the MERV rating for an air filter, the more you'll pay. Filters with a MERV rating of 1 to 7 typically cost between $5 and $20. Filters with ratings of 8 to 13 can cost anywhere from $20 to $150.
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.
Pleated air filters cost more than fiberglass but provide a longer filter life and higher efficiency.
Moving towards MERV 11 filters, you'll find they can capture even smaller particles, like pet dander and fine dust. While these are excellent for homes with allergy sufferers or pets, they can be more restrictive, potentially straining your HVAC system if it isn't designed to handle them.
Our filters are tested to last their full lifetime: For 1” HVAC air filters, that means three months. For 4”, 5” and 6” deep pleat filters, that means 12 months. For Room Air Purifier filters, that means 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of filter.
If nobody in your home has allergies and you don't have pets or significant air quality concerns, for instance, an inexpensive filter can still be effective. The main drawback with cheaper filters is you'll need to replace them more often.
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.
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.
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.
The brand of the filter doesn't necessarily matter, it's finding a filter that removes the most pollutants (MERV rating) from the air AND one that allows your HVAC system to perform efficiently. Here are some common misconceptions about air filters to help further educate you on their importance.
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.
How Often Do I Need to Change Out My Air Filter? 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.
A good MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating for residential HVAC systems is typically between 8 and 13. MERV 8 filters capture basic particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander and are adequate for most households.
For most homes, a MERV rating between 8 and 13 strikes the perfect balance between filtration, airflow, and cost.
MPR was created by 3M and stands for Microparticle Performance Rating. The MPR rating system bases their ratings on the pollutant size that can be filtered, ranging from 0.3 to 1 micron. 3M's MPR filter ratings range from MPR 300 -2800. The higher the MPR rating the more microparticles the filter can capture.