It is also helpful to know what types of air filters there are and in what situations they are designed for.
This blog will list and explain the types of filters there are available, and hopefully, help you gain insight to make a decision on which filter would be right for you and your home or business. Different filters provide different needs, so continuing reading to find out which one best suits you!
MERV Ratings
Filters have ratings, too. These ratings are called MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values) ratings, and they are the primary measurement of how well your air filter is at cleaning the air inside your home or business. Filters are rated on a MERV scale from 1-16 (sometimes up to 20) and the higher the number, the better the performance, and the higher the cost.
Fiberglass HVAC Air Filters
Fiberglass filters are cheap and disposable. Many recommend these filters to only catch dust that may be lying around in your home or business. Since they only catch the bigger air particles, they do not protect you from the other smaller contaminants that may be in your air. The benefit of these filters is that they provide you with maximum airflow and if you change them out regularly, they can still do a great job at keeping your air clean.
Polyester & Pleated HVAC Air Filters
Although these filters may be pricey, “you get what you pay for.” These filters have a MERV rating of 6 or greater, so they do a great job at trapping contaminants that come through from your air. Although they trap more pollutants than fiberglass filters, they still allow your system to run very efficiently. Polyester filters catch contaminants, but also don't restrict airflow throughout your home or business.
Polyester filters create a static charge. That charge allows the filter to attract all kinds of particles such as mold and pollen. If there is an individual in your home who smokes or has bad allergies or asthma, this filter would be a great choice.
Washable HVAC Air Filters
First and foremost, these filters are extremely cost-effective just like the name suggests; you may reuse these over and over again by simply washing them. And there is no specific cleaning supply you have to purchase to wash them. You simply rinse with water.
However, these filters have a MERV rating of 4 or 5, so they do not catch all the small contaminants in your home. A lower MERV rating means they may not be desirable for individuals who have bad allergies. That said they are by far the most cost-effective options for your home. With a one-time purchase of around $20, you can have an air filter for the next few years, rather than purchasing a $5 pack a few times a year.
For those who don't suffer from severe allergies, and are looking for the most bang for their buck, washable filters are the best choice for you!
High-Efficiency HVAC Air Filters
High-Efficiency Filters are ideal for the home with people who have severe allergies. These filters are made up of a fine mesh that will trap most particles such as pollen, dust, pet dander, and tobacco smoke. Which makes high-efficiency filters have the highest MERV ratings, but also means that there is more restriction on the airflow.
For example, you could find this type of filter in a hospital since it is crucial to keep germs and bacteria out of the air. So unless you or someone in your home has severe allergy issues, this filter may not be of interest to you.
Let TemperaturePro Guide You to the Right Air Filter
TemperaturePro wants to help you keep the air in your home clean! Clean air keeps you healthy and provides HVAC efficiency. Knowing the differences of each filter, the MERV ratings, and in which situations to use each, can help you in choosing the best filter for you and your home or business.
Depending on your needs will determine which filter is best, so contact us to let us know what those needs are, and we can give you the best advice in choosing a filter for your home or business!
About Temperature Milwaukee in Cedarburg:
TemperaturePro is your full-service in-home heating and cooling provider. Whether you need a new unit installed or your current unit repaired and maintained, our certified HVAC technicians can do it all. An HVAC system is an important investment that will impact your life for years to come. It’s important to protect that investment, and TemperaturePro does it better than anyone in the business. We provide quality HVAC services at a great cost!
Currently serving the following communities:
Cedarburg, Grafton, Germantown, Mequon, Menomonee Falls, West Bend, Glendale, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Milwaukee, Thiensville, Hubertus, Colgate, Kewaskum & Richfield.
