Our Unfiltered Opinion, What Type of Air Filter Should You Buy?

Photo by Gervyn Louis

Originally Posted On: https://austintrs.com/our-unfiltered-opinion-what-type-of-air-filter-should-you-buy/

Warm weather doesn’t only signal swimming pool openings and picnics. It’s cooling season for your home and time to change your air filter.

Whether it’s the first time you’ve bought a new air filter, or you’re a seasoned homeowner, you may wonder what type of air filter you should buy.

We aim to make your decision easier in today’s post. Read on and explore AC filter types and which one you should choose for your heating and cooling system.

If you’re tempted to grab-and-go next time you need to buy a replacement air filter, you may want to pause for a minute. Choosing the wrong filter could impact your air quality.

The primary function of the air filter is to trap particles and contaminants from the air that circulates through your HVAC system.

If you buy the most basic filter, it will trap the minimum amount of dust and dirt. Fine dust particles, pollen, mold, and bacteria may not get filtered completely. You may notice a negative impact on those living in your home who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.

You want to ensure the air filter prevents the maximum amount of particulates and contaminants from entering your indoor air. Understanding MERV ratings will help!

Not all air filters remove particles and contaminants with the same level of efficiency. When you shop for an air filter, look on the packaging for the filter’s MERV rating.

Most air filters you buy at your local home improvement store have a MERV value between 1 and 16. The higher the MERV value, the better the filter works to remove material from your indoor air.

Standard fiberglass air filters use a MERV rating between 1-4, and with that, you get the most basic filtration level and the lowest cost. If you don’t smoke, have pets, or suffer from respiratory conditions, a standard filter should serve your needs.

Many homeowners prefer the next step up and buy filters made from pleated paper or cloth. These filters have a MERV rating of 6-8 and do a better job of filtering out particles.

You can only use fiberglass or pleated air filters one time. Some HVAC systems can accommodate a washable filter, which does save money.

For households with health concerns, a high tech HVAC filter offers better protection from contaminates. Consider buying a HEPA air filter as they can filter out 99.7% of contaminants from indoor air.

Several factors go into choosing the type of air filter that best serves your needs.

The manufacturer of your HVAC system determines which size filter you buy. Your habits and health concerns also play a significant role in choosing the right filter.

For help selecting the best filter, or for any other HVAC service needs, contact us today. We’re happy to answer questions or schedule a service call.