Furnace filters keep the parts of your HVAC system clean and efficient while also cleansing the air that is blown throughout your house. However, your furnace will not work properly if you select the wrong filter. A filter can provide the purest air by removing even the smallest particles but won’t provide enough airflow for the heater. By choosing the right furnace filter, you can extend the life of your heating and air conditioning systems and breathe easier.
Find the Size of Your Current Filter
You can find the correct filter size in your furnace’s handbook. There are several spots on the surface of most filters indicating the size. If necessary, a tape measure can determine the size of the present filter.
Pick the Right Filter Type
Homes with pets, smokers, people with severe allergies, and those with many residents need higher-quality filters. Disposable filters are typically made of fiberglass, cotton, polyester, or paper layers. Electrostatic filters work by using static electricity to attract and trap tiny particles. A pleated air filter with high efficiency can filter clean air into your home without overexerting your furnace.
Understand Filter MERV Ratings
Filters remove particulate matter based on their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating, which ranges from 1 to 20. A high MERV rating indicates a better filter, so residential furnace filters normally have a MERV rating of 6 to 12. If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, a MERV 10 or greater is recommended.
Disposable fiberglass filters have a MERV value of 2 or 3. These filters are used more to protect the furnace and keep it clean than to filter the air. Pleated filters have a MERV rating ranging from 6 to 12, which makes them an excellent choice for filtering air in your home.
Placing electrostatic pleated filters in a home with pets, smokers, or people with severe allergies is a better way to eliminate harmful particles and odors compared with disposable pleated filters. MERV ratings for electrostatic pleated filtes are usually 8 to 12 whether they are disposable or reusable.
Choose Your Furnace Filter Right for Your Home
Investing in the right furnace filter will enhance your home’s air quality. Replace your air filters every three months after the heating season starts. When your furnace has a problem, you should remove the filter and check if it is blocked.
