The biggest factor though has been the innovations in the HVAC systems themselves. Its a title endorsed by the Energy Department. Blackwell suggests that you write the date you changed your filter on its spine so you can keep track of your maintenance schedule. It designates weaker filters with lower numbers and stronger ones with higher values. ), Proper maintenance of air filters either replacing or washing them regularly is crucial not only to providing clean air in your home, but also to keeping your HVAC system functioning properly. All Rights Reserved. The first caveat here is that fiberglass is only rated to last one month, while pleated filters are typically rated to last three times that long. Extended surface pleated panel filters are designed for use in air filtration systems and equipment, as stand alone basic efficiency products or as pre-filters to higher efficiency bag, rigid box or cell type filter. The filter media is internally glued to the filter frame to prevent contaminates from bypassing the media and recirculating in the air. Well given that we just said you get what you pay for, you can probably guess that the pleated air filters are better. Though theyre most commonly used in commercial settings that require extremely clean air, such as hospitals and laboratories, they can be used in households where people suffer from allergies or have a compromised immune system. This is an easy problem to avoid. But be careful of going too far with your filters. Get up-to-date current news, promotions and industry tips. When particles pass through your fiberglass air filter and enter your system, one of two things happens. Are those thin green filters worth using for the extra couple of dollars you can save, or are pleated air filters the way to go? Or, thanks to todays smart-home technology, you can even buy smart filters such as 3Ms Filtrete Smart Air Filters that use sensors to monitor air flow. The price point is slightly higher than that of flat-panel filters. The synthetic filter media is reinforced with expanded metal backing to prevent media from sagging during use. As with MERV, higher numbers equal better overall performance in terms of particle removal. Pleated: Disposable pleated filters use dense screens of cotton or plastic fibers to remove particles from the air. A lot has changed. Read on to learn more. These guys filter less than 25% of particles in the 3 to 10-micron range out of your air. This was years ago when pleated filters were made of cotton and HVAC motors werent anything special. You see, the fiberglass air filter hasnt changed much over the years. 2022 Coolray Heating & Air Conditioning all rights reserved, pleated filter that's 1-inch thick and has a 13 MERV rating, Higher dust-holding ability (meaning it can catch a lot without blocking airflow), Longer life (most pleated 4-in and 5-in-deep media filters will. Some HVAC systems are not strong enough to push air through more restrictive filters that block the smallest particles that is, ones with a higher MERV or CADR rating which can reduce airflow and cause your home to be heated and cooled less efficiently. We are hiring! A MERV 13 Health Shield filter from Second Nature will catch at least 50% of particles from 0.3-1 microns in diameter. The rest can attach to the refrigerant coils. The choice is clear, pleated air filters are what you want for your home. Made with premium synthetic fiber media that has a high dust holding capacity and filtering efficiency. As a result, we cannot show you the price in catalog or the product page. This is a role in which the pleated air filter succeeds and the fiberglass air filter fails with a capital F. As stated above, fiberglass air filters are commonly referred to as rock-catchers because of their abysmal ability to, you know, actually filter stuff. Our pleat is designed to work suitably within built up filter banks and/or side access systems. There used to be some advantages to the cheaper fiberglass, but there really isnt anymore. The same concept applies to MERV ratings: Using a more restrictive filter (one with a higher MERV rating) reduces the number of particles and allergens that end up in your homes air. Todays homes are better insulated, more tightly sealed and more energy efficient; however, these factors can trap indoor pollutants, making indoor air up to five times less healthy than outdoor air.. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Consult your HVAC systems manual to determine how strong your model is, or call an HVAC technician. Pleated filters and their effective filtering work against this issue by minimizing the number of pollutants that can attach to your evaporator coils, while garbage filters that let just about anything through leave you susceptible to it. Additional benefits from using the Astro-Pleat seasonal air filter include extending the life of your air conditioning/ furnace system by removing dirt and dust so the HVAC unit isnt strained from air flow restriction. Air cleaners, which have a thick media filter, can trap small particles, like pet dander and mold, without impeding air flow like a thin, pleated air filter would. last between 6 months to a year between changes) This is extremely bad. The answer is quite simple. The filters themselves are cheaper, but the cost of using them is not much cheaper, and an HVAC breakdown caused by a fiberglass filter twiddling its thumbs while huge particles pass right through is definitely not cheaper. As your multi-thousand dollar HVAC system gets coated in junk, the evaporator coils are not able to absorb enough heat and the refrigerant operates at a much cooler temperature than is safe. Considering having your air ducts cleaned? Browse a full list of industry terms to better choose your filters. Theyre far more efficient, theyre safer for your air and your HVAC unit, and theyre not significantly more expensive. Our price is lower than the manufacturer's "minimum advertised price." Do this: If youre really interested in keeping your air clean, wed suggest you get an air cleaner/purifier installed in your air ducts. When you factor in everything else we're about to talk about, well, you'll see in a second. Fiberglass filters fall on the far end on that spectrum, delivering near-maximum airflow in a tradeoff that affords almost zero filtering efficiency. But how in the world can you remember to change your air filter on time when there are so many other things on your to-do list? High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA): The title of HEPA is assigned to any filter that consistently removes at least 99.97percent of particles in the air that are 0.3microns or larger. x 1 in. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Pleated air filters used to be the cause of many HVAC breakdowns, because the system motor would have to work harder than it could handle to pull the air it needed through the tightly wound filter. Tired of that annoying light indicator on your refrigerator? Rigid construction, extended surface and long service life are features and benefits which makes our pleated filter an excellent option for meeting the requirements in todays filtration market. Showing 1-10 of All air filters are rated for theirability to remove particles from the air. Need Help? Astro-Pleats frame uses a die cut made from heavy duty beverage board to insure filter integrity in high moisture applications. Pollutants will build up on the filter and if its left for too long, it will eventually create enough blockage to overwork the system. They dont really filter anything beyond the largest of particles. Despite all of this, many HVAC technicians still recommend fiberglass filters for airflow reasons. Electrostatic: Some air filters are electrostatically charged to trap more (and smaller) particles such as pollen, smoke or bacteria within their screens. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Start by determining the specific needs of the occupants in your home, which should directly correlate with the CADR or MERV ratings of your air filters. Upgrade your filter to a MERV 13 rated air filter to protect your home or business from the spread of viruses and illnesses. Flat-panel: Typically the most affordable type of air filter, traditional flat-panel models have fibers most commonly fiberglass stretched over a framework. 2020 Air Filters, Inc. All rights reserved. This article was published more than3 years ago. Watch helpful videos from AFI. Particles in that range include things like pollen, dander, and some bacteria. Such filters will send an alert to a mobile app to let you know when you need to changeit. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), 20 x 25 x 4 Pleated Air Filter FPR 8 (2-Pack), 20 x 25 x 4 Pleated MERV 12 - FPR 10 Air Filter, 16 x 25 x 4 Pleated Air Filter FPR 8 (2-Pack), 20 x 25 x 1 Elite Allergen Pleated MERV 13 - FPR 10 Air Filter, 16 x 25 x 4 Pleated MERV 12 - FPR 10 Air Filter, 20 x 20 x 1 Elite Allergen Pleated MERV 13 - FPR 10 Air Filter, 16 x 25 x 1 Elite Allergen Pleated MERV 13 - FPR 10 Air Filter, 20 x 20 x 1 Allergen Plus Pleated MERV 11 - FPR 7 Air Filter (2-pack), 20 x 25 x 1 Allergen Plus Pleated MERV 11 - FPR 7 Air Filter (2-pack), 16 in. You would be correct. Most filters are easy to slide or swap out, and its one of the few things you can do to maintain your filter without the help of a trained specialist., Although you should check the instructions for both your HVAC system and your specific filter for maintenance guidelines, you typically should change filters at least every season, if not once a month. Once youve narrowed down what rating range youre looking for, you can factor in your budget. How??? An effective air filter blends filtering efficiency with airflow to create a product that is effective at removing particles from the air but doesnt create an unnecessary demand on your HVAC motor by blocking air from getting through. Where do you stand financially? Its ironic. And theyre pleated! So which one of these varieties is better for your home? document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Second Nature Brands, Inc. Material is folded like an accordion to maximize surface area. Air Filters Incorporateds Astro-Pleat pleated filters are manufactured using a MERV 8, 11, or 13 rated filter media that effectively reduces and traps pollen, mold, dust, pet dander and dust mites from circulating throughout your home or business. The primary role of an air filter is to pull air pollutants from the air inside your home as it is pulled into the HVAC system. Its an epidemic within the HVAC industry and the simplest way for a tech to deal with this problem is to recommend an air filter that wont catch enough pollutants to create a blockage in your system when its never changed. What you need to know before buying an HVAC filter, Mega Millions or mamas money, heres how to manage a windfall, These experts dont think we are in a recession and neither do I. A shortened lifespan of an HVAC system that results from using such a useless filter will end up costing you way more in the long run than the extra six dollars every three months to buy a pleated filter. In the modern age of air filtration, pleated filters outdo their fiberglass counterparts in just about every category. Use the filters to help narrow your results! Creating a filter like this has been a challenging task because generally speaking, the more efficient a filter is at actual filtration, the worse its airflow is. Not all HVAC systems are designed to handle the super-dense HEPA filters, however. A detailed view of the contaminants our It Matters refrigerator water filter reduces. Most filters fall between the 12 CADR and 240CADR range, though some high-performance ones can go up to 1,200 CADR. Want to work for Air Filters Inc.? Washable: Washable or reusable filters come in both flat-panel and pleated options, and they can be hosed down with water or vacuumed to remove any particlebuildup. They can be flat or pleated, and they can be disposable or washable. Research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, says HGTV star and Trane Residential partner Anthony Carrino, citing Environmental Protection Agency data. Some brands have created their own rating systems, such as Home Depots Filter Performance Rating and 3Ms Microparticle Performance Rating. You just need to change your air filter on a regular basis. Thats not to say that airflow and efficiency are exactly inversely proportional, especially not in 2019. To help you master the ins and outs of air filters, weve put together a handy guide with everything you need to know. If you live in a brand new home or have remodeling or construction going on at your house, youll need to change your air filter more frequently to compensate for the extra dust and residue in the air.. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Filters with a higher CADR rating are the best choice for families who suffer from allergies, have pets in the home, deal with excessive dust or want to capture airborne bacteria, Carrino says. Turns out youre on a website right now where you can sign up for a subscription service that delivers filters automatically on your schedule. Available in nominal 1, 2 and 4 depths and 50 standard size offerings, this product is designed to fit most industrial and commercial applications with little or no system modification. In situations where modern pleated air filters cause damage to modern HVAC systems, it is usually a result of the filter not being changed. The basics of personal finance, like How to save for a house. Figure out your next step toward financial freedom. Reusable filters will lose their electrostatic charge over time, which causes the filter to lose the ability to capture smaller particles, says Scott Blackwell, merchandising vice president of rough plumbing and electrical at Lowes. Here is where perhaps the greatest misconceptions around air filters can be found. Need to know how to install your filters? In general, disposable fiberglass filters are the most affordable upfront, starting at roughly $5, while washable filters start around $9, but they might save you more money over their lifetime. Designed with three stages of air filtration plus a UV light, for hospitals, dentist's offices, and more. Think again. So even washable filters have a life span usually a handful of years. Not only does this improve the air quality within your home, but it also protects your HVAC system from damage. Why is that? Pleated air filters are now constructed with synthetic materials that have smaller individual fibers, which are wound in such a way as to maximize airflow and filtering efficiency. So while theyre still cheaper, theyre not as much cheaper as youd think with a one-to-one comparison. As an air filter manufacturer, we are uniquely positioned to custom make any and all types of air filters. Ordered your filters and need to know where they are? The media pack, comprised of 100% polypropylene fibers, is bonded to the inside perimeter of the enclosure frame by a moisture resistant adhesive, providing a continuous and positive seal. One of the most important yet sometimes confusing parts of an HVAC system is the air filter. Your air filters job is to prevent dust and other large particles from ruining your heating and cooling system. The industry standard is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), a scale from one to 16 developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. HVAC repairs are expensive and HVAC replacements are super crazy insane expensive. .026pt clay coated kraft board die cut frame, Contains 10 pleats per linear foot of media (2 configuration, standard capacity), 15 pleats per linear foot of media for high capacity. Astro-Pleat is also available in an Anti-Microbial filter media that inhibits the growth of micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi, and mold spores. x 25 in. Receive our full product catalog via email. Its not even close. Even a high-quality filter cant do its job right if its clogged with debris, Blackwell says. The filter media is electrostatically charged to effectively capture and hold dust, dirt, pollen, and other common airborne contaminates. But 2 things can turn that safety net into your wallets worst nightmare by ruining what it was meant to protect. The standard offering is rated by Underwriters Laboratories as Class II, per UL Standard 900. Finally, youll need to take into consideration the dimensions of your ventilation openings and the spaces your HVAC system is servicing, which will determine what filter size and thickness youll need. Here's how to reset it! These are the primary pollutants that lower your indoor air quality, and three-quarters of them are not being removed by fiberglass. Air filters come in a number of shapes and materials, each with different capabilities and price points. Unlike their flat-panel cousins, they have pleats, which provide more surface area for filtration and allow the filter to catch more debris. build your custom filter now, Send us a message below or call us at 1.800.667.8563. The two most common types of air filters are fiberglass air filters and pleated air filters and they couldnt really be more different as far as home air filters go. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Pleated filters, especially those of a higher MERV rating, are effective against even the smallest particles. They are more eco-friendly than disposable filters, but there is somewhat of a catch, especially if you have an electrostatically charged filter. Maintaining your air filter is easy, Carrino says. Allergen Plus Pleated Air Filter FPR 7 (2-Pack), 20 x 20 x 1 Superior Allergen Pleated MERV 11 - FPR 9 Air Filter. Overworking an HVAC system can also lead to hardware damage and an expensive repair. A decent amount of those pollutants cycle back through the system into your home so that you breathe them in. Theyre disposable and easy to install, but they arent necessarily the highest quality, allowing many particles to get through. (Keep in mind that thickness isnt correlated with CADR or MERV ratings. Purons replacement of Freon, along with some general improvements in HVAC construction, have decreased the demands of the HVAC system and made the decreased airflow from pleated filter use sufficient for the system to run smoothly. What are the different types of air filters? Another rating method is the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), a scale recognized by the Federal Trade Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency that also measures air purifier efficiency. To learn more about how to keep your air clean and about the different types of air cleaners, ask one of our experts for help. Second, this causes water vapor to freeze on the coils, which can lead to catastrophic breakdowns. He brings expert knowledge of a myriad of home air filtration topics including HVAC filters, filtration efficiency, and indoor air quality. Having central air conditioning and heating is certainly a perk in many homeowners eyes, but like all major appliances in the house, your HVAC system should be well maintained to ensure its maximum efficiency. How do I choose the best airfilter for my home? At its most basic function, an air filter removes impurities such as dust, pet dander or even bacteria from the air flowing through the system. There is a saying in the industry of, well, just about everything that you get what you pay for. In the air filter industry, this is as true as it ever was. How to find a reliable and affordable HVAC company, What to know about HVAC maintenance contracts, Six filters in your home you may be forgetting to replace or clean, If air at home seems to bother you, try to remove the sources of irritants first. Introducing the Aire-Loc Healthcare Filter Housing, AFI Replacements (Air Bear, Honeywell, Trane), Poly Anti-Microbial Tackified 1 Inch Media 10oz, Poly Dry / Dry Tackified 2 Inch Media 15oz, Twist-Lock Cylindrical Cartridges for Pneuma Pulse, Flange-Top Cylindrical Cartridge for Farr Tenkay, Conical Cartridge for Donaldson GDX & GDS, Cylindrical Cartridge for Donaldson GDX & GDS, HEPA Crank-Lock Housing 2 Inch Pre-Filter, HEPA Crank-Lock Housing 4 Inch Pre-Filter, 18x20x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 14x18x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 14x14x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 12x36x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 12x30x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 12x24x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 12x20x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 12x12x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 10x36x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter, 10x24x1 Astro-Pleat MERV 13 Standard Pleated High Capacity AC / Furnace Filter. This includes tiny little things such as pet dander and iddy-biddy smoke particles. Pleated filters are more like 12 dollars, which according to basic subtraction, is more than two. When people talk about their A/C freezing up, this is what is happening. The pleated air filter and the HVAC system have though, and their innovations have shattered the seamlessness of the efficiency/airflow spectrum and rendered fiberglass air filters essentially obsolete. From sizes to types to qualities and more, here is everything you could ever need to know about air filters. Get a score on this quiz and our advice. Fiberglass filters are so efficient with particles this small that their percentage is pretty close to zero. The story goes something like this: While the airflow advantages that the fiberglass filter once enjoyed have basically been innovated out of style, theres another element to system health that isnt as commonly discussed, and fiberglass is outdone by pleated filters once again here. Using a standard pleated filter to capture common airborne contaminates can help alleviate allergies and sinus irritations that can cause watery eyes, itchy throat, coughing and sneezing. Fridge FiltersAir FiltersScienceBlogCareersPressRefer A Friend, Connected HomeEnergyCommercialHome ServicesReal EstateAffiliate Program, Privacy PolicySecurity PolicyTerms of ServiceRight-Fit Guarantee. Enter your info to get the catalog emailed to you! You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. So the answer to the question is technically yes, fiberglass filters do allow for better airflow, but the difference is largely immaterial to the HVAC system and its health and efficiency. Theres a reason theyre commonly referred to as rock catchers in the industry. The 26 point clay coated, kraft-board die cut frame, diagonal and horizontal support members, radial wedge design and expanded metal media support create one of the most rigid filters of its type in the industry. 177 products, Air Filters, Inc. is committed to providing a "one-stop shop" for all of your air filtration requirements. 2022 Air Authority, All Rights Reserved, Commercial and Residential Services Agreements. Alec is a third-year member of the team at Second Nature. For reference, a pleated filter of only a MERV 8 rating filters out at least 75% of particles between 3 and 10 microns. Most fiberglass filters are around one or two dollars. This, of course, excludes the possibility of an HVAC breakdown caused by a buildup of crud on the unit. For starters, this drastically lowers efficiency and drives up power bills, because the system has to work so much harder to actually condition your air. Homeowners dont remember to change their air filter.
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