Save Money and Breath Easier This Winter With New Furnace Filters
By Ann Springer
Keeping your heating and air conditioning system well maintained not only helps to keep your monthly bills lower, but can also help prevent the spread of dust and allergens from spreading all over your house. Ever wonder what that visible puff of air is when you fire up the furnace each fall? Dirt and dust accumulate in your ducts and in your filter. One cheap and easy trip to the hardware store will provide a fresh filter that will also help your HVAC system run longer and with fewer problems.
Not all HVAC systems are identical so you may want to remove your current filter and take it with you to the store so you know what you’re looking for as a replacement. There are also many types of filters to pick from and they range in price depending on quality. Most filters are one-inch thick, but if you have a large home (3,000 square feet or more) you may need a four-inch-thick filter.
There are several choices of material and style to choose from when buying a home air filter. Performance is affected by the size and density of the material used, as well as the size and volume of the particles being filtered. Pleated filters are usually most efficient because they have a greater surface area to catch more of the gunk. Some of these products actually attract and hold onto particles with an electrostatic charge. By contrast, the honeycomb-shaped filters, often made of fiberglass, are the least expensive and typically need to be replaced more frequently and are less efficient. Reusable filters, which can be rinsed clean, are also available.
Another way to see which filter will give you the most filtration for the money is to look at the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Rating Value) rating. This is a rating applied by the industry, but each manufacturer may have its own rating system. Here is the guide below:
A MERV rating of 6 means the filter is 35% to 50% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles.
A MERV rating of 8 means the filter is 70% to 85% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles.
A MERV rating of 11 means the filter is 85% to 95% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles.
While many people only purchase these filters once a year (or less often) they may need to be changed out as often as once a month, depending on your usage and exposure to dust and dirt. The only way to know is to check yours out, replace it, and then check on it a month or so later. Even a top-quality filter can’t function properly if it’s clogged and filthy.
