The Best Air Filters For Your Home

The first thing to consider when purchasing an air filter is size — you need to purchase a filter that will fit into your HVAC. You can check this by looking at the air filter currently in the unit or by checking the owner’s manual. During a routine maintenance visit from your HVAC contractor then can also advise the correct filters size.

You need to determine what type of air filter will fit your family’s needs. Different types of filters protect against different types of irritants.

• Fiberglass or polyester. These filters are inexpensive and disposable. They are good for catching large particles like dust and debris, but would not catch small particles like smoke or spores.
• Washable. These are filters that are cleaned and then placed back into the unit. They only need to be replaced every few years, but they only protect against larger particles.
• Pleated. These filters are disposable, but have a larger surface area to catch more particles. The pleating increases the amount of filter a particle would have to go through to get into your home.
• Electrostatic. Electrostatic filters come in disposable or reusable options. The fibers in these filters carry a charge so that both small and large particles are less likely to get through.

The different types of filters generally have similar filtration levels, but the quality of each brand of filter varies enough to impact efficacy. Luckily, there is an impartial rating system that let consumers know what filter is best suited for their family’s needs.

MERV Rating – The most popular filter rating system, MERV, was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). MERV rates filters on a scale of 1 to 20, with 20 being the best filtration. Fiberglass, polyester, and reusable filters will generally have a MERV score under 5. These filters protect against the buildup of materials on the HVAC’s coils or fan motors. Filters like these generally let in particles like bacteria, mold spores, and pet allergens. Pleated air filters will have a MERV score of between 5 and 13 because they are pretty good at removing airborne particles. Sometimes people mislabel them as HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, but they are not. HEPA filters have MERV scores of 17-20 and are only used in commercial units.

To keep the air quality in your house at a consistent level, be sure to change your air filter regularly based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. By having your heater inspected and cleaned annually this service is sometimes included as part of your service. If someone in your home smokes, it may be a good idea to change it more regularly. When buying an air filter, you should also take into consideration how strong the frame of the filters is and whether or not the filter is disposable. Remember that when using a reusable filter you have to expose yourself to the contaminants to vacuum or wash it.

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Credits: Bell Brothers