What Kind of Home Air Conditioning Filter is Best?

An air filter acts as a scrubber for the air circulating in your heating and air conditioning system. Typically located near return vents or inside your HVAC unit, a clean, functioning air filter keeps dust and dirt, pollen, mold and its spores, lint, hair and animal fur and other airborne particles out of your living spaces. A dirty or clogged filter will force your system to work harder, resulting in higher bills, and eventually, a system breakdown long before its expected lifespan.

Air Filter Ratings: Understanding MERV

Each air conditioning filter is given a MERV rating, or a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20 and are helpful in comparing filter performance.

MERV 1-4: Removes pollen, dust mites, cockroach body parts, sanding dust, textile and carpet fibers.

MERV 5-8: Removes mold spores, cat and dog dander, hair spray and everyday dust.

MERV 9-12: Removes humidifier dust, lead dust, flour dust and car emissions.

MERV 13-16: Removes bacteria, cooking oil, sneeze droplets, smoke particles and insecticide sprays.

MERV 16-20: Removes viruses, smoke and other ultra-fine particles, typically in clean rooms and surgical settings.

Today, many homeowners are upgrading to filters with a MERV rating of 13 or higher to improve indoor air quality and limit their exposure to pollutants. While these filters can capture more airborne contaminants, it is important to consult with an HVAC professional before upgrading.

HEPA Filters

You may have seen the abbreviation HEPA on vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, or HVAC filter packaging. It stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter and can remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns – extremely tiny pollutants that most other filters miss.

While HEPA filters provide excellent filtration, not every HVAC system is designed to handle them.

Types of Filter Materials

Air filters come in many materials, each with different strengths and costs:

• Fiberglass: These are the most affordable filter option, but they also catch less particulate matter than more advanced filters.
• Pleated: Made of polyester fabrics or cotton folds, pleated filters are great at filtering dust and other pollutants.
• Washable: Reusable filters require regular cleaning. Be sure to follow manufacturer instructions carefully to prevent bacteria or mold from growing in your filters.
• Electrostatic: Electrostatic filters are available in washable and disposable versions, using an electrostatic charge to attract particles like dust and smoke.

Don’t Forget to Replace Your Filters

Even the best filter will damage your system’s performance if it’s clogged. To maintain clean indoor air and avoid straining your HVAC system, experts recommend replacing your air filter every one to three months.

As part of Barineau’s Total Comfort Service Program, we’ll check all your filters and make sure you are good to go. Call our experts at (850) 580.4029 for more information about choosing the right filter for your system.