Top Forms of HVAC Filters

Plenum Box & HVAC Service Experts in Dallas, TX

In this blog entry, the Dallas HVAC system cleaning service and Dallas duct repair service experts here at Power Clean Solutions will detail the top forms of HVAC filters currently on the market today.

Fiberglass Filters

This is the most popular type of air filter on the market today due to their wide availability and affordability. They are very cheap, can be found everywhere, but have a low MERV rating of between 2 and 4. They are not great at catching dust, pet danger, or allergens – and need to be changed more often than most types of air filters due to their tiny surface area and inability to hold a ton of particulates.

Pleated Air Filters

Pleated air filters are the second most common type of air filter on the market today. They are constructed with varying sheets of paper, cotton, or polyester which are then folded into pleats to hold a larger surface area and more easily catch contaminates and particules. Pleated air filters also don’t need to get changed as much as fiberglass air filters, and have stronger, but varying MERV ratings between around 8 and 11, and varying ability to block substances like poen, pet dander, dust, mold spores, car fumes, smog, or others, based on it’s unique MERV rating.

HEPA Filters

High Efficiency Particulate Air FIlters don’t have MERV ratings, as they’re so powerful they rest in their own category. They are constructed out of multiple layers of fiberglass strands wound very tightly, and can catch nearly 99.9% of indoor air contaminants. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and healthcare facilities, and are of great benefit in home or work environments in which people suffer from allergies or asthma. If you install a HEPA air filter in your home to combat respiratory issues, remember that you will also need to dust, vacuum, and change bedding frequently. Some HEPA filters however cannot fit in certain HVAC systems – ask your professional air duct technicians for advice as to what HEPA filter works best for your air duct system. 


UV Air FIlters

These consist of an Ultraviolet light purification system which is then attached to an air filter. UV filters can eliminate viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms that cause disease, but do not block dust, pollen, dander, and larger particulate matter. UV lights are usually placed directly above air filters and act as additional protection layers for your household. The rays of the ultraviolet light will eliminate virulent particulate matter. It’s recommended that UV air purifiers are mixed with traditional pleated filters that can catch larger air contaminants.

Electrostatic Air Filters

Electrostatic air filters function like magnets using static to pull out particulate matter from the air. They are best used in homes ih children and pets, and can be disposable or washable based on the particular model. MERV rating also varies based on model and material. 

Washable Air Filters

Some people choose to install washable filters as they are more environmentally efficient, keeping less out of landfills. In general, reusable air filters are more expensive, but the cost, long-term, is budget friendly, as in a way washable air filters pay for themselves we do not recommend installing a washable air filter in households or businesses in which somebody suffers from allergies or asthma, as they aren’t great at trapping pet dander and pollen. It’s also essential to allow your washable filter to fully dry after washing before inserting it back into your HVAC system, as placing a damp filter into an HVAC system can lead to mold growth.

Media Air Filters

Most air filters are only a single inch thick. Media air filters are 8 inches thick, and provide a similar degree of air filtration power as those with high MERV ratings, but don’t have the drawbacks of reduced air flow or static pressure. Due to their larger and more hefty surface area media filters block static pressure, dander, dirt, and other particulates from entering your space. Media filters have somewhat complicated installation, and must be installed by professionals. Additionally, media filters aren’t proper for kitchens, as they do not filter cooking odors.

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