We see you there, standing in the hardware store, in front of a large array of air filters. There’s a dizzying number of options to choose from—different sizes, ratings, pleated or non. Throw in a HEPA or two and you might just be tempted to grab the cheapest filter and scurry away to the paint chip aisle where things are simpler and a whole lot more colorful. Never fear, home maintenance warriors! We’re cutting through the fluff to make choosing the right filter for your home and system easy as can be.
Pick the Size
To find the size filter you need, simply turn off the unit, and remove the existing filter. It will have the info printed on it as well as the MERV. Jot that down, and you’re halfway to being a filter rockstar.
MERV Who?
Every filter is marked with a MERV rating. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which is a fancy way of putting a number value on how much gunk the filter blocks. The ratings go from 1-16, and the higher the number, the more particles the filter…well, filters.
Higher is Better, Right?
Not exactly. There’s a balance that needs to be achieved—the higher the rating, the harder your system needs to work to get air pushed through the filter, so it’s best to choose a happy medium. Our technicians typically recommend an 8 for at-home use. The higher ratings are usually used in commercial settings such as hospitals and require specially designed systems.
But Wait, There’s More.
Filters can be broken down into four major categories.
- Reusable: As the name suggests, these can be washed, dried, and placed back into the unit. These are typically a low MERV rating of 4 or less.
- Fiberglass: Made of—you guessed it,—fiberglass. These are designed more to keep your unit clean than your home, as their MERV rating is also low. They are the cheapest to buy and replace, but the air quality in your home may suffer.
- Pleated: These are typically 85% efficient and are a popular choice for home use. They are full of nooks and crannies that gather and collect all the particles you do not wish to continue circulating through your home, such as pet dander, pollen, pollutants, dust, mold spores, and other airborne debris.
- HEPA: If you have severe allergies or respiratory ailments, these filters can be a lifesaver. However, they do often require special modifications to your HVAC system for it to run efficiently.
Take Out the Old and Bring in the New
Now that you’ve got your new filter, it’s time to make the switch. Turn off the unit, then take out the existing filter and slide in the new. There should be arrows to guide you. If the directional arrows are hard to find on your unit, don’t be shy about grabbing a Sharpie and marking your own arrows to make things easy for next time.
For your typical 1” filter, we recommend changing them out every 30-60 days.
If you have any questions about which filter is best for you and your system, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Better yet, schedule a spring tune-up, and we can go over the details with you in person!