Are expensive air filters worth it?

Yes, in general, the more expensive air filters are more effective, but a single person with no pets and allergies might not need as much filtration as a family of five with three pets and a child with asthma. Also consider how long your air filter will last..

Are Cheaper air filters better?

When it comes to furnace filters, the rule of thumb for many HVAC professionals is “the cheaper the better.” HVAC systems are not designed to improve air quality in the home, and filters are important to keep the furnace and air conditioner working properly.

What MERV rating is best for allergies?

Ideally you want to choose a MERV rating of 17 or higher, which are most effective at blocking the particles that cause allergy symptoms.

Are Filtrete filters worth it?

CR’s take: The Filtrete 1900 Maximum Allergen Reduction filter is impressive at removing dust, pollen, and smoke from the air when the HVAC system is running on its highest fan speed, earning an Excellent rating in that test. But at the lowest speed, the filter is only average at removing those same airborne particles.

Are pleated air filters better?

While fiberglass air filters will do the job in the most basic way, in most cases, pleated air filters are much better. They can filter out smaller particles – important for people with airborne sensitivities. They are less likely to clog in a short amount of time, and they can last up to 90 days.

How do I choose an air filter?

Size, MERV rating and material – these are the three primary factors used to pick the proper air filter for your home.

1. 1) Filter Size.
2. 2) Material & MERV Rating.
3. Rating Average Filtration Efficiency.
4. Be Careful About High MERV Ratings.

Is MERV 12 too high?

While the highest MERV ratings are the most effective for air quality, they can harm your HVAC system. A higher MERV rating means a higher resistance, which means less airflow.

So what does MERV stand for anyways?

MERV	Minimum Particle Size
9–12	3.0–1.0 μm
13–16	1.0–0.3 μm
17–20	< 0.3 μm

• Sep 20, 2019

What happens if I put my air filter in backwards?

If you set your filter up backwards, the normally collective end of the device will not face the air supply. In effect, your filter will help keep debris in the air. This results in a clogged filter and improperly cleaned air when it reaches your lungs.

Do pleated filters restrict airflow? Because they restrict airflow to your HVAC system. Pleated, high-MERV filters definitely capture a lot of pollutants, but they also restrict the movement of air into your blower or furnace. As a result, the fan has to work harder to heat and cool your home, reducing efficiency.

How much should you spend on an air filter?

You can spend anywhere from $15-$30 for a disposable filter that, in reality, needs to be replaced every 30-40 days. The filters in a whole home air purification system only need be changed out once per year on average, saving you between $180-$360 in disposable filter replacement costs each year.

What MERV level should I use?

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.

Why are air filters so expensive now?

The Real Reason HEPA Filters Are So Expensive

Put simply, it comes down to psychology and marketing. We buy HEPA filters and air purifiers to protect our health. And we really value our health. So much so that we’re often willing to spend a lot to protect our health.

Do air filters really make a difference?

Research shows that filtering the air can indeed help to remove harmful particles from indoor spaces, particularly allergens, smoke, and mold. Still, air purifiers work best in conjunction with proper filtration and home cleaning techniques.

Is MERV 8 too restrictive?

If your unit is older and/or very sensitive with airflow, use a filter that ranks from MERV 1 up to possibly MERV 6. If you want your air to at least be cleaned and handle dust, mold, pollen, and bacteria, then a MERV 8 will do the job.

Will MERV 11 hurt my AC? In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that’s too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn’t too high for residential use.

Will MERV 13 hurt my furnace? What Are MERV 13 Air Filters? 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.

Will MERV 12 hurt my furnace? The short answer is that it can, but it’s not really an issue except under extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners depend on them.

How often should you change air filter?

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.

Are washable air filters good?

Air Filtering Effectiveness

Washable air filters don’t have a strong reputation for air purifying performance and have an average MERV rating between 1 and 4. They work fine at catching larger airborne contaminants such as dust, dust mites, carpet fibers, and pollen.

How do I choose an air filter?

Choosing the Correct Air Filter

1. Check Your Manufacturer’s Guidelines. Your HVAC manufacturer’s instructions will provide important details about the type of filter you should select for your system.
2. Look at the MERV Rating.
3. Compare Disposable and Washable Options.

Is a thicker air filter better?

Most air filters are 1 inch thick, but some systems can accommodate filters 2 to 5 inches thick. In our tests, we found that the thicker the filter, the better it works and the longer the replacement intervals. That means it’s better for you and for your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

How do I know if my air filter is bad?

8 Dirty Air Filter Symptoms: How to Know When to Clean Your Air

1. Air Filter Appears Dirty.
2. Decreasing Gas Mileage.
3. Your Engine Misses or Misfires.
4. Strange Engine Noises.
5. Check Engine Light Comes On.
6. Reduction in Horsepower.
7. Flames or Black Smoke from Exhaust Pipe.
8. Strong Fuel Smell.

Is there a downside to high MERV filters?

Wrong. While the highest MERV ratings are the most effective for air quality, they can harm your HVAC system. A higher MERV rating means a higher resistance, which means less airflow. When researching HVAC systems, airflow will come up a lot.

Is MERV 11 too high?

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.

Is MERV 13 too restrictive? 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.