We all buy these filters
Air filters are a common purchase for an average customer in America. Most units are adjusted to standard size filters, but there are many offers on the market and each company defends the primacy of its own.
To understand what you pay for and whether it is worth overpaying, let’s look at the world of filters, define the basic requirements for quality, functionality, and material. So we can distinguish good filters from good marketing.
Air Filter Ratings
When choosing a filter in a store or ordering online, we often come across abbreviations such as MERV, MPR, HEPA. Let’s try to see what stands behind the letters?
MERV
Depending on your filter requirements – for example, if there are allergic people, asthmatic, or pets shed heavily among the inhabitants of the house the rating recommends using filters with higher MERV rates.
MERV tells you how good the filter is in removing small particulate, allergens, and other contaminants from the air.
MERV ratings vary from 1 to 16.
Most popular MERV rates
The MERV rating has two components:
One type of filter is capable of removing large particles of 10 microns or particles of 1 micron in size. Large particles – such as pet dander and dust mites.
Nevertheless, most of the indoor air pollutants are less than a micron in size. Therefore, MERV also evaluates the filter’s ability to dispose of submicron particles.
MPR
Micro-particle performance rating is a system for filters to rate the ability for each filter to capture particles in the air of less than 1 micron in size. Unlike the MERV rating, MPR estimates the filter’s ability to capture particles ranging in size from 0.3 to 1 micron.
The dust particle (average) has a size of 0.2 to 8 microns, pollen size from 6.5 microns to 50 microns.
MPR was created by 3M company.
HEPA
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters, which makes any HEPA-labeled product highly efficient. If we try to compare the rating with one of the above – HEPA will range from 17-20 MERV. HEPA filters remove at least 99.97% of the particles in the air down to a size of 0.3 microns.
HEPA is mainly used in commercial or government institutions: in hospitals, to stop the spread of pathogens, schools, to prevent the creation of favorable conditions for SBS, gyms, and others.
To achieve maximum indoor air quality, it is recommended that you use the HEPA level filtration system included in the balanced ventilation system.
If you are thinking of getting a HEPA filter, discuss it with an HVAC professional to find the best system for your situation.
How Deep Pleat HEPA filter works
General Pros of Air Filters
Keep indoor air clean
Nothing more to add, as air filtration is the main purpose of uniting air filters.
Easy to change
Air Filters allow you to easily maintain the system. All you need to do is to take out the old filter and insert the replacement.
Standard size
Over 90% of furnace air filters are available in a standard size. In case the selected filter option does not fit, it can also be adapted to the size of the filter box or return air openings.
General Cons of Air Filters
Scheduled filter replacement
The filters must be replaced every two to three months
Price
The usual price range is from $9 to $63 per filter depends on your unit requirements and furnace size.
