How To Choose the Right Air Filter for My HVAC System

HVAC systems would only be complete with air filters. Improve your air quality daily by upgrading your HVAC system's air filter. The health dangers of breathing dust particles make choosing the right air filter for your home's heating and cooling system crucial.

Finding the best air filter for your HVAC system requires some legwork. Some good locations to begin your search are with the recommendations of those you trust, internet user evaluations, and the advice of expert HVAC contractors. However, since furnace and air conditioner models and brands differ, you'll want to double-check that the air filter you choose will work with yours.

There aren't many moving parts in an HVAC system, but the air filter is one of the most important components. 

A home's HVAC system is only as good as its air filter. Air filters may look like little because they are often made of cardboard and fibre, but they significantly impact your unit's efficiency. They significantly affect heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; thus, controlling them is crucial. 

By reading this article, learn more about air filters, their function, and the significance they play in the upkeep of your home's HVAC system. It should also help you find the optimal filter for your specific situation.

Filters for the Air and How They Operate

Both spun fibreglass and pleated paper/cloth are common materials for making air filters. The cardboard frames are then cut to various sizes to accommodate the wide range of HVAC units on the market. The filter's main job is to collect dust, dirt, pollen, and other impurities from the air that flows through your HVAC system. Most of them have a bearing on your well-being and ease of living. Some examples of these pollutants are:

• Spores and mould
• Pollen
• Hair and fur
• Bacteria/Microorganisms
• Debris and grime
• Tissues and threads
• Fragments of metal, plaster, or wood

After being circulated in a building, the filtered air is "sucked" back into the HVAC system to be cleaned and recycled. The action involves forcing air through the filter. Particles and airborne pollutants are captured and removed from the air by the spun fibreglass or pleated paper/cloth. It is now impossible for these particles to be recycled into our air.

HVAC Air Filter Selection Tips

If you're unfamiliar with HVAC terminology or this is your first time buying an air filter, don't stress. We've compiled a few guidelines to help you get the best air filter for your needs.

Discover Which Filters Work with Your Device

The first step is finding out what size air filters work with your HVAC system. For optimal performance, use the size and type of filter suggested by the owner's manual or manufacturer's guide that came with your HVAC system. Finding the right air filter is critical for improving indoor air quality, reducing health risks, and saving money on utility bills.

If you don't have the original packaging or instructions, you can determine which replacement air filters will fit by measuring the current one. To get a precise measurement of your air filter, all you have to do is take it out of your AC or furnace. A typical filter for an HVAC system has dimensions of 20 inches in width and 25 inches in height.

Learn About MERV Ratings

To compare the efficiency of various air filters, the HVAC industry utilises a rating system known as Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The MERV scale evaluates how effectively air filters remove dust and other airborne particles. The greater the MERV rating, the better the air filter's ability to remove dust from the air in your home.

Superior minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) air filters cost more. But the supplementary expense usually cancels itself out. You'll have to replace the filter more frequently using a low-quality model with a low minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV).

Sometimes, alternative grading systems are used by air filter manufacturers instead of the MERV system. If the company you're buying from provides this information, realise that a higher number indicates better filtration.

Understanding What MERV Rating Is Best For Your House 

When installing a new air conditioner, looking for the highest MERV rating available can be tempting. The higher MERV ratings provide cleaner home air, which everyone desires. 

However, there is a catch: a higher MERV rating means denser filtration media and more effort to push air through the filter. 

You'll need a strong fan to get air through a filter with a very high MERV rating. Your monthly energy costs will increase significantly if you upgrade to a fan with more power.

Fortunately, you won't need extremely high MERV ratings for your home's split system installation to work. The highest MERV ratings are unsuitable for residential use, but we'll explain each band below. 

Laboratory and medical settings, which require the purest air possible, are frequent beneficiaries of the highest MERV ratings. The requirement for pristine air in these areas is much higher than in a domestic setting.

Filter Efficiency as Measured by MERV Ratings

There are cheap, moderately priced, and expensive options, just like most things we buy. The quality of each product varies. When it comes to purifying the air in your home, not all filters are created equal. The more efficient it is, the more pollutants it can filter out of your home's air. It's important to remember that these better air filters typically cost more.

The filter's Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating is relevant here. "Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value" is the abbreviation for this term. It's a number that can be used to quantify the filter's usefulness and compare it to others. The MERV scale typically ranges from 1 to 16, with higher numbers indicating more efficient air filtration. A higher MERV grade indicates superior filtration efficiency.

• Dust, dust mites, insects, pollen, and carpet fibres are too big for this air filter to pass up. These are the MERV ratings.
• Filters with a MERV value between 5 and 8 effectively remove particles as small as dust, mould spores, dander, and aerosol sprays. These higher MERV ratings are for more stringent use at home and in light industry.
• MERV 9-12: These filters aren't something you'd find in an average home; instead, you'd find them in a factory or a research facility. They're effective at snagging bigger microorganisms, lead dust, and car exhaust.
• These higher MERV ratings are for operating rooms' more robust air filters.
• Clean rooms, such as those used for laboratory work or the assembly of delicate electronics, frequently employ MERV 17-20 air filters, the highest-rated filters available.

Filters with MERV values higher than 16 are available but are bulky and inconvenient for the ordinary home HVAC system. They have the potential to obstruct ventilation systems. 

This lowers your HVAC systems' efficiency and may cause them to break down. Before purchasing and installing a filter, check if the MERV value is higher than 16.

To further improve the air quality in your home, you can add purification and filtration devices to your HVAC system. These devices add another layer of filtration "on top" of the standard setup, making for cleaner air.

Choose a Filter Made from the Appropriate Material

You can choose from a few distinct filter designs and media kinds. Fibreglass filters are common and affordable. Thin and inexpensive fibreglass air filters capture less dust than thicker alternatives because of their inability to trap larger particles. Fibreglass air filters often need to be replaced once each month.

When compared to fibreglass filters, pleated ones are far more advantageous. Many pleated filters are 4 inches thick, making them more robust and effective at preventing dust from entering the air. Higher-quality pleated filters can last up to a year but cost more upfront than fibreglass filters.

A washable air filter is an alternate solution. Air filters made of washable polypropylene media are often the most expensive option, but they can endure for years and have less environmental impact. Washable air filters are better than disposable fibreglass or pleated ones.

Pros of Having an Air Filter

As per the National Air Filtration Association, the right air filter has these benefits.

Remove Bad Odours

Odours can be neutralised by using carbon air filters in those rooms. They're effective against the smell of garbage, rotting food, and more. They are handy if you have a family member who is extremely sensitive to smells.  

Protect Against Diseases

Air filters effectively reduce disease spread by removing pollutants like germs and viruses from the air.   

Prevent Allergies

Mould, pollen, dust, and pet dander can cause asthma attacks in certain people.  

Avoid Dust Buildup On Furniture And Curtains

It's not good for your health if dust and filth are allowed to build up on your carpets, drapes, or furniture. Dust makes an area look unappealing. 

How to Tell When a Filter Needs to Be Replaced

It is just as vital to know when to replace your air filter as to choose the appropriate one. You can find the best air filter for your HVAC system by following the guidelines above, but it will only do its job if you replace it when it's supposed to. Some of the warnings that your existing air filter needs to be changed are: 

• When dust or other airborne particles become visibly present within your home, it is time to replace your air filter. If the hazardous particles are visible, your air filter is likely very unclean or blocked and cannot capture them.
• The HVAC system in your home is malfunctioning: A dirty air filter could be to blame for your HVAC system's inability to maintain a comfortable temperature. A filthy or clogged filter can force your HVAC system to work harder than necessary, which can shorten its lifespan or cause it to break down entirely.
• Awful energy costs: When your HVAC system has to work harder to heat or cool your home, it consumes more power. Clogged air filters can increase energy costs.
• Your HVAC system can work more efficiently and with less wasted energy if you change the air filter regularly.

The Value of Regular Filter Cleaning

All air in your home must travel through an air filter due to its HVAC system. Therefore, it is crucial to frequently clean and replace your air filters. Clogged air filters:

• Result in broken HVAC systems and broken equipment.
• Limiting airflow into the HVAC system will increase the workload on the fans and shorten their lifespan.
• NOT properly remove particles and toxins, releasing them back into the interior air (which you and your family are breathing).
• Build up a sludge of contaminants in your ducts.
• Drive up your utility bill by making your home's heating and cooling system work harder.

Once a month is recommended for checking air filters. If they get soiled, swap them out for new ones. Hold your air filter up to a light to inspect for dirt. The filter needs to be updated if you can't see through it.

Regular tune-ups and maintenance are recommended for any HVAC system, regardless of whether or not there are any current issues. If you have a problem with your heater or air conditioner, professional repairers can solve it. Routine maintenance can extend your system's life, enhance indoor air quality, and lower energy costs.

Conclusion

When it comes to the effectiveness of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, the air filter is one of the most important parts. Spun fibreglass and pleated paper/cloth are two common air filter materials. The air passing through the system is cleaned by the filters, which trap particles as small as dust, grime, pollen, and more. The filtered air is subsequently recirculated through the HVAC system.

Consider the following tips when shopping for a home air filter:

First, you need to find a filter size that is compatible with your equipment. To find out what size and kind of filter you need, see the owner's manual or manufacturer's guide. A standard air conditioning filter is 20 inches across and 25 inches tall.

The second step is to study the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) scale. When it comes to capturing dust and other airborne particles, a higher MERV rating is better. Though higher MERV ratings result in cleaner indoor air, they also necessitate denser filtering media and more work on the part of the filter's user to force air through it.

Since higher MERV ratings necessitate more energy and a more powerful fan to force air through the filter, they are unfit for usage in a domestic setting. The need for absolutely sterile air is greatest in clinical and laboratory settings, hence those are frequently the best candidates for the highest MERV ratings.

The MERV rating assigns a value from 1 to the effectiveness of an air filter, with higher values indicating better filtering. Dust, mould spores, pet dander, and aerosol sprays are all successfully trapped by filters with a MERV between 5 and 8. More rigors applications in the home and light industry require a higher MERV rating.

Filters with MERV ratings higher than 16 are cumbersome and awkward for standard HVAC setups in residential homes. The standard setup can be supplemented with purification and filtration equipment to further enhance air quality.

Fibreglass filters, pleated filters, and washable air filters are just some of the options available to you when shopping for a filter. The correct air filter can protect against diseases, reduce allergy symptoms, keep furniture and drapes dust-free, and reduce unpleasant odours.

When dust or other airborne particles become visually evident, when the HVAC system is malfunctioning, or when the filter begins to consume more power, it is time to change the filter. Cleaning and replacing air filters on a regular basis is essential for both indoor air quality and cost savings.

Damage to HVAC systems, decreased airflow, ineffective removal of pollutants, contamination of ductwork, and higher energy costs can all come from filters that are too clogged to function properly. Once a month, check your air filters to see whether they need to be replaced because of dirt. No matter the state of the HVAC system, regular tune-ups and maintenance are always a good idea.

Content Summary

• Air filters are an integral part of HVAC systems and play a significant role in improving indoor air quality.
• A good place to begin when shopping for a new air filter is by reading recommendations from friends and family, checking out internet user reviews, and consulting with HVAC specialists.
• It's important to pick an air filter that works with the make and type of your HVAC system.
• Although they are often overlooked, air filters are essential to a healthy HVAC system and good indoor air quality.
• Filters for the air can help remove contaminants that can be harmful to your health or make you uncomfortable.
• Air filters are often made of either spun fibreglass or pleated paper or cloth.
• The filter's primary purpose is to clean the air before it enters your HVAC system.
• Particles such as spores, pollen, hair, germs, and detritus are frequently removed via filters.
• The HVAC system recycles filtered air, keeping the indoor air clean.
• First, you need to know what size air filter is ideal for your HVAC system.
• For information on what size and kind of filter is ideal, please refer to the owner's manual or manufacturer's guide.
• If you don't know the dimensions of the current filter, you can get them by measuring it.
• Effectiveness of air filters is measured on a scale called Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV).
• The higher the MERV rating, the better the filtration, but the stronger the fan may need to be.
• Labs and other specialised environments benefit from extremely high MERV scores.
• The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) scale goes from 1-16, with higher values indicating better filtration.
• Ventilation systems may be hindered by filters having MERV ratings higher than 16.
• More sophisticated air purification and filtration systems can further improve indoor air quality.
• Consider the air filter's lifespan, how it affects the environment, what kind of material it's made of (fibreglass, pleated, or washable), and how much it costs.
• Although pleated filters are more expensive initially, they are more efficient and can last for up to a year.
• Carbon air filters may effectively remove unpleasant odours like those produced by waste or spoiled food.
• Filtering the air we breathe can help prevent the spread of illness.
• Pollen, dust, mould, and animal dander, all of which can cause allergic reactions, are captured and eliminated.
• Keeping air filters in good working order requires replacing them on a regular basis.
• When dust begins to settle on surfaces inside, it's time to replace the filter.
• A malfunctioning HVAC system and higher energy bills can be the result of a filthy filter.
• Air conditioning and heating systems are more cost- and energy-efficient when their filters are routinely changed.
• The filter should be checked once a month, and if it seems dusty, it should be cleaned or changed.
• Clogged air filters not only reduce airflow but also pose a risk of device failure.
• A well-maintained HVAC system will last longer and produce better indoor air quality.