Types Of Air Filters

Spring is many people’s favorite time of the year in Evansville, because of the comfortable weather conditions. Evansville typically has cold, snowy winters and hot, muggy summers, which makes spring the perfect combination of the two. However, one downside to the spring season is the allergies the various blooms can cause. While the majority of pollen remains outdoors, your home can have allergens causing your health to decline. One of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality and allergies is to maintain clean air filters, but many wonder how to choose the correct filter. In this blog, we discuss the different types of air filters in Evansville and how to choose the right one for your home.

What Does An Air Filter In A Home Do?

Many homes have two air filters in the intake vents. Depending on the square footage of your home, you may have more or fewer than two filters. Air filters stop allergens and impurities from circulating into your home. As air passes through the filter, the pores catch pollutants to improve indoor air quality. If air filters are dirty, it can be harder for the pores to catch each pollutant and allow some to slip by. Air filters often catch allergens such as:

• Dust
• Pet Dander
• Dirt
• Pollen
• Mold
• And more!

It is essential to change your air filters at least every three months to maintain clean air and a healthy living environment.

How Are Clean Air Filters Beneficial?

Air filters are often overlooked, because they are not a physical component on your air conditioning or heating system. However, air filters are one of the most important parts of your HVAC system and can determine a variety of aspects. The status of your air filters can determine airflow, air quality, efficiency, comfort, and many more factors of your home. When air filters are dirty or clogged, air struggles to weave its way through. This means your air conditioning or heating system uses more energy and works harder to push air through the filter pores. Not only will dirty air filters result in poor air quality, but an overworked system as well. Maintaining clean air filters can benefit your home in many ways, such as:

• Maintain Low Energy Costs
• Prevent HVAC Breakdowns & Repairs
• Improve Indoor Air Quality
• Maximize Home Comfort

While an air filter’s main job is to catch pollutants and maintain good indoor air quality, it can also be the source of your HVAC issues.

What Are The Different Types Of HVAC Air Filters?

While there are many types of air filters you can buy for your home, fiberglass and pleated are the most common residential filters. Both fiberglass and pleated air filters serve its purpose and provide many benefits for your home, but differ in a variety of ways.

Fiberglass Air Filters

When compared to pleated, fiberglass air filters are most commonly used in homes. Fiberglass air filters are made up of multiple layers of spun fiberglass and supported by a metal frame. These types of air filters are typically the cheapest option, which is why it is used in most homes. However, fiberglass air filters have trouble keeping out smaller particles and can be less effective. Fiberglass filters typically range between 1-4 MERV.

Pleated Air Filters

Pleated air filters are made of cotton or polyester, which is folded together and supported by a cardboard frame. Pleated air filters are typically more expensive when compared to fiberglass, because of its ability to catch smaller particles and improve air quality. While pleated air filters can provide clean air, the filter also has higher airflow resistance. Pleated air filters typically range between 5-13 MERV.

What Is A MERV Rating?

Air filters are measured by minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ratings. MERV indicates the filter’s effectiveness to catch pollutants. The MERV scale ranges from 1 to 20, with 1 being the least effective and 20 being the most effective. To simply put it – the higher the MERV, the more particles the filter can catch and the cleaner your air will be. The MERV scale rates many different types of air filters, such as ones used in hospitals. Buildings such as hospitals require higher MERV filters, because it is essential to have a highly sanitized, clean space. Generally, homes have air filters ranging between 8 to 13 MERV. It is important to note that the higher the MERV, the more energy your heating and cooling system will need to use to push air through the filter pores.

How Do I Choose The Right Air Filter For My Home?

Choosing the right air filter for your home can be tricky, which is why we are here to help! At Perfection Heating and Air Conditioning, one of our main goals is to keep you breathing easy and comfortably inside your home. Below are steps to choosing the right air filter for your home in Evansville, IN.

First, we recommend starting by identifying the filter size. Your home may require two different size filters for the intake vents, which is why it is important to determine the correct size for both. Your home likely already has an air filter located in the intake vents, which means the easiest way to identify the filter size is to look at the existing filter. The existing filter will display a size similar to “20×20” or “16×25.”
Choose your desired MERV rating. As we mentioned, homes typically use air filters between 8 to 13 MERV. While selecting an air filter, consider if anyone living in your home has respiratory illnesses, such as asthma. This would require a higher MERV filter to decrease asthma symptoms and keep the resident healthy. It is important to stay within your budget when choosing a filter, but also considering the necessity of clean air inside your home. However, your HVAC system will use more energy the higher the MERV and result in high utility costs.

If you are unsure how to select the right air filter for your home, one of our expert technicians would be happy to help! Spring is the perfect time to prepare your AC unit for the summer and schedule AC maintenance. While performing preventative maintenance, a Perfection technician can change your air filter and educate you on how to correctly select a filter. Give us a call to schedule AC maintenance in Evansville, IN and surrounding areas today!