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What Type of Air Filter Is Best for Homes?

It is important to choose an air filter that will work well with your home. Here's what you need to know about choosing home air filters.


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What Type of Air Filter Is Best for Homes?

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It is important to choose an air filter that will work well with your home. Here's what you need to know about choosing home air filters.
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Does your home have an HVAC system? If so, you likely know all about the importance of changing home air filters regularly.

Here's what you may not know: not all air filters are the same. They come in different types, shapes, and materials. Depending on the types of pollutants present in your home, it's easy to get the wrong filter for your needs.

To avoid this issue, many homeowners choose filters based on MERV ratings. This rating measures filter efficiency in a simple range of 1 to 16. As helpful as this rating is, though, it doesn't quite tell the whole story.

Need some help choosing the right filters for your HVAC system? Read on to learn about the seven main types of air filters, as well as their pros and cons!

HEPA Filters

If you're looking for high-efficiency filters, HEPA filters are your best bet. They can remove 99.97% of airborne particles and allergens present in your home. That includes dust, mold spores, and tobacco particles.

Thanks to their efficiency, HEPA filters are a great choice for people living with allergies or other respiratory issues. These filters are also cost-effective, as you'll only need to change them every few years.

The main downside with HEPA filters is that they're more expensive than other filters. Also, as efficient as they are, they aren't perfect. Microscopic pollutants such as fumes or gasses will still pass through the filter.

Spun Glass Filters

You may know of spun glass filters as flat-paneled filters. They consist of strands of fiberglass spun together and reinforced by metal grates. As one of the cheapest options on the market, these filters are quite popular.

Unfortunately, spun glass filters won't do much for your indoor air quality. They can only trap particles the size of about three to ten microns. Common particles of this size include dust, pollen, and carpet fibers.

Even with these deficiencies, spun glass filters are fine for undemanding customers. If you only need a filter for keeping dust and lint out of your home, the spun glass will do the job.

UV Filters

As the name implies, UV filters use short-wave UV light to kill viruses and bacteria. As such, these filters are a great choice for getting rid of disease-causing pollutants and germs like mold spores.

The issue with UV filters is that they revolve around converting oxygen into ozone. In small amounts, ozone can cause minor health concerns like chest pain. In higher amounts, it can make respiratory diseases worse.

UV filters also tend to have a rating of MERV 8 to MERV 11. As such, they don't do great against benign pollutants like dust. That's why UV filters are often part of an advanced filtration mechanism such as HEPA filters.

Media Filters

Media filters incorporate paper-like materials folded inside a metal cabinet. When unfolded, these materials can cover 75 square feet. However, the filter itself is no wider than six feet when it's in use.

That surface area makes media filters seven times more effective than standard filters. And the best part is, they can provide good filtration without restricting airflow. They also don't increase static pressure.

The surface area makes media filters a great low-maintenance option. Depending on the environment, you may only need to change them once every two years. They're also among the sturdier filter options.

Media filters are a great choice for people with weak immune systems or those living in industrial zones. Their only real cons are that they don't filter odors and may need to be professionally installed.

Pleated Filters

Pleated filters consist of either cotton or polyester fabrics. Both materials get arranged into pleats, which increases the surface area of the filter. Filters with more pleats are more effective than those with fewer pleats.

Deep-pleated box filters are great at filtering out most pollutants. They can trap even difficult allergens, like mold spores or pet dander. They also suppress the noise of the fan and come in both reusable and disposable versions.

Due to their air filter size, pleated filters are less resistant to airflow. That said, the low air filtration requires your HVAC system to work a bit harder. Pleated filters are also a bit more expensive than some other options.

Electrostatic Filters

Electrostatic filters use cotton and paper fibers to create static electricity. That static acts as a magnet that traps pollutants within the filter. That makes electrostatic filters a good choice for people struggling with allergies.

Many electrostatic filters come with a carbon filter for improved efficiency. They come in pleated and flat-paneled versions. They're also available in reusable options, which allows homeowners to cut costs.

The main issue with electrostatic filters is that they may struggle to filter out certain common pollutants. These include things like dust and mold spores. To avoid this issue, look for a filter rated MERV 13 or higher.

Washable Filters

Washable filters are another type of filter that can come in pleated and flat-paneled forms. Given their durability, they're better for the environment than their disposable standard counterparts.

To ensure washable filters work as intended, you'll need to maintain them. Keep in mind they need to be fully dry before you put them back in. Even a hint of moisture can lead to mold and bacteria buildup.

Washable filters tend to have low MERV ratings. That said, they're still a good option for people who don't need specialty filters. Their initial price is a bit high, but using them properly should save you money in the long run.

Choose the Right Home Air Filters for You!

At the end of the day, choosing the right home air filters will depend on your situation. With so many distinct options on the market, doing a little research can go a long way. The above article is a great way to get started!

Still not sure which air filters to get for your home? Contact us here to find the perfect filter type for you! We offer both one-time purchase and subscription plans for all your air filter needs!

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7 Types of Air Filters

There are many different types of air filters to choose from today. Let us help you find the best one by exploring these 7 popular types of filters.


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7 Types of Air Filters

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In 2020, an estimated 3.2 million deaths occurred worldwide due to household air pollution. If you want to keep your family safe and healthy, you should invest in a high-quality air filter for your HVAC system. 

When trying to purchase an air filter, you may find that there are many different options available. Not all air filters are the same, however, and each offers different levels of filtering and effectiveness. You need to choose between your options carefully. 

In this guide, we'll look at the 7 types of air filters that you need to be aware of. 

What Are MERV Ratings?

Before considering the various types of air filters that are available, it's important to understand what the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) is. MERV is the rating of the ability of filters to catch particles. The MERV rating can range from 1 to 16.

An air filter with a MERV rating of 16 will provide the highest level of filtering. However, keep in mind that it will also offer the highest level of airflow resistance as well. A lower rating, on the other hand, may not do a good enough job of capturing particles.

You may want to opt for a filter rated in the mid-range such as a MERV 8, MERV 11, or MERV 13 filter if you want to get a great balance of filtering without restricting airflow. 

Main Types of Air Filters

So what are the main types of air filters that are available? Here are the main types that you should know about.

1. HEPA Filters

A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is a type of air filter that is ideal for removing pollutants and allergens from the air and can do so efficiently. The HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of pollutants and allergens from the air in your home.

These filters are particularly useful for people with allergies since they can remove the smallest pollutants from the air. HEPA filters boast a MERV rating of around 16 and will do a great job of providing protection to your home.

However, keep in mind that while they do a great job of removing pollutants from the air, HEPA filters aren't able to eliminate odors, gases, and fumes. 

2. UV Air Filters

Ultraviolet (UV) air filters have UV lamps that help to disinfect the air that goes through your HVAC system. UV light air filters work to purify the air and can eliminate mold, yeast, bacteria, and viruses that are in the air.

Keep in mind that while these air filters do a great job of eliminating microorganisms and improving indoor air quality, they aren't as effective at eliminating common pollutants like allergens and dust. They also won't do a great job of eliminating odors. 

3. Electrostatic Filters

Through the use of static electricity and a mix of cotton and paper fibers, these filters function as a magnet and work to trap pollutants. This is a great type of filter to use to prevent the spread of allergens and can be useful for people who suffer from allergies.

Electrostatic air filters are also an affordable type of air filter that can be useful to use in a home. There are reusable options available as well.

Although these filters do a great job at preventing the spread of small particles, however, they have a harder time with larger pollutants such as dust. 

4. Fiberglass Air Filters

Fiberglass air filters, otherwise known as spun glass or flat-paneled filters, are another option that you can make use of. These standard filters feature a metal grate along with strands of glass that have been spun together.

These filters are a very popular option for the home and won't cost you as much as many of the other filter types that are available. They'll do a great job of preventing lint, pollen, and dust from entering your home.

However, they won't do a great job of improving your indoor air quality as a whole and won't purify the air very successfully. Smaller particles will easily get through these filters. 

5. Pleated Filters

Pleated air filters are a type of air filter that you might want to choose and features folds of polyester or cotton. These pleats add a significant amount of surface area to these filters.

Deep pleated box filters, for example, will work to effectively protect against contaminants and can catch small air pollutants including pet dander and mold spores. There are both reusable and disposable pleated filters available and they can each do a great job of serving the needs of your home.

Keep in mind, however, that these filters can be a bit more expensive than other options. If there are a lot of pleats on these filters, they can also restrict airflow more. 

6. Media Filters

Media filters feature a pleated paper-like material and a metal cabinet. The air filter size is very small, but the material can cover as much as 75 square feet when it's removed and stretched out.

Media filters are well-designed and can do a great job of improving indoor air quality. They can trap just about all pollutants and will remove pollen, dust, pet dander, and other particles. There isn't a lot of maintenance to deal with to take care of these filters either.

On the other hand, remember that these filters will need to be installed by a professional and they won't be able to filter odors. 

7. Washable Filters

Washable filters are air filters that you can easily vacuum and rinse to get rid of the dirt and buildup that is on them. You can find both flat-paneled and pleated washable air filters to use.

As opposed to getting disposable filters, these air filters can be reused time and time again and this can be more environmentally friendly. Although they'll cost more than disposable filters initially, washable air filters are a cost-effective solution.

Keep in mind that washable filters don't tend to do as well against odors and some contaminants. You'll also need to maintain them more than other filters. 

Choosing Between the Various Types of Air Filters

If you're trying to choose the best air filter to use in your home, be sure that you understand the types of air filters listed above.

Each of these air filters has its pros and cons, but you'll usually want to look for an air filter that has a mid-range MERV rating. These filters will do a good job of improving your home's indoor air quality without restricting airflow.

Ready to buy an air filter for your home's HVAC system? Click here to start shopping our selection of air filters now.