What Type Of Air Filter Is Best?

16 July 2018

You may have just installed a brand new Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, or you’re in the market looking to upgrade your filters and you’re probably wondering as to what would be the best choice for you. Well that actually varies depending on certain factors.

MERV Rating

Probably the most important factor to look into, a “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value” (MERV) rating distinguishes filters by their capabilities to strain the air of particles. The ratings span from 1 to 20, with the highest being the best. This gives both consumers and technicians an easy method to differentiate these and make a decision.

Common Filters:

Fiberglass - these are the most common as it is used for equipment, and was not really designed for much improvement of the quality of air in a home.
Pleated - At 10 dollars per piece these are classified at MERV ratings 10 to 13
High-efficiency - These are more pricey as it’s able to purify air from contaminants by 85%. These span from MERV 14 to 16.
High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA) - These are most commonly used in medical facilities and industrial settings where its imperative for an area to be spotless so as not to damage their products. These reign on top of the scale at 17 to 20.

Power Of Your System

You can’t just transfer from one MERV rating to another depending on your feeling and situation at home. You’ll have to consider your system’s power to blow air. If you have weak units then you will have to settle for lower classes. If you do want the higher rated filters then make sure you upgrade your hardware to be strong enough to get air pass through them.

If a filter is too far up the ratings in contrast to its HVAC, this could make the components deteriorate at a faster rate, decreasing its total life span. It also leads to more power consumption which increases utility bills.

Environment Around Home

Where your home is situated will greatly affect as to what type of filter you’ll be needing. Take this into account when looking for the the right filter for you. What are the things that frequent your place that could take a toll to the quality of air?

If your in an area filled with vegetation, this may attribute to fresh air for your family but it might also mean allergens such as pollen. If you want to keep these out of your residence then it’s recommended that you get a filter of MERV 9-12. It’s important not to take these lightly if you have a loved one who has allergies.

A highly urbanized location would mean tons of cars and a lot of vehicular emissions and smog. These are highly unhealthy and should be kept away from those with respiratory problems. MERV 11 and upwards would be the ideal solution to securing your house’s atmosphere. Don’t let the excuse of living in the city allow your household to deal with car fumes on a daily basis.

However, getting the highest rated air filter wouldn’t help you if it doesn’t match your HVAC system or it’s too powerful for you needs. Either way, you’d be spending more than needed of your well-earned money. To know which is better suited to your unit, have a licensed technician look it over. Romano Bros would be more than happy to help you. Call us at (630) 931-0123.