There are 4 common types of air filters for your home air conditioner. Each one is a little different and brings different benefits to your home’s air quality. Here are 4 different air filter types, and all you need to know in order to make the best air filter decision for your home. So, if you have wondered about which type of HVAC filter is best for your home, you can find out now.
HEPA Filters
HEPA filters are among the highest quality air filters out there. They have a MERV rating of over 17, which is incredibly high. The MERV rating system is a way to report how an air filter catches particles. So a higher score is better because it can catch a higher percentage of particles, and it is also excellent at being able to catch very small particles, specifically particles as small as .3 microns.
To put this into perspective, most household dust particles are 40 microns in size, and HEPA filters can catch particles as small as .3 microns. Additionally, HEPA filters catch 99.97% of all airborne particles. That is a significant amount of particles and gives you optimal levels of clean air.
The only downside to these high-quality filters is their size. Most HEPA filters are typically not the same size that is used in most residential HVAC. if you have your heart set on HEPA filters, you will have a tall order for your HVAC company, and it will probably require modifications made by a professional.
Flat-Paneled Fiberglass Filter
This type of filter is disposable and easy to use. The filter panel is layered with fiberglass and a metal grate. The fact that it is disposable and easy to use is its best feature because it does not have the ability to filter out air pollutants very well.
Flat-paneled fiberglass filters have a very low MERV rating, so if you are looking for an air filter that will filter out even the smallest pollutants, this is not a good option.
Reusable Air Filter
Reusable air filters are certainly a good choice from an environmental standpoint, as you can reuse the same filter with regular washes. It is recommended to wash your reusable filter every 3 months.
Because it is reusable, these filters also tend to be more expensive than their disposable alternatives. The biggest downside of these filters is that they can easily grow mold and mildew. If you have a reusable filter, wash it regularly but let it fully dry before putting it back in place.
It also has a very low MERV rating of between 1 and 4.
Pleated Media Filter
This is another disposable filter option. The MERV rating for this filter is much higher, around 13 usually. You can get a high-efficiency version of the pleated media filter, which has a rating of 14-16.
This is a great filter option because the surface area is increased due to the pleated design. The increased surface area also increases the effectiveness of the filter. Out of all these options, hopefully, you are able to find which type of HVAC filter is best for your home.
Call Superior AC & Heat
Call Superior AC & Heat at (214) 679-8725 for all your air conditioning needs. We can answer your questions about our filter options and help you with any air conditioning problems you have. Contact us for a tuneup or repairs. There are many types of HVAC filters available, we can help you determine which type of HVAC filter is best for your home.
