Furnace Filters For Your HVAC System

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Furnace Filter?

1. Find the proper replacement air filter dimensions. Some standard air filter dimensions include 16x20x1 or 20x25x1 inches, but consult your manufacturer or technician for the proper air filter size to optimize your unit.
2. Determine the type of air filter you have. Standard air filters provide basic particle filtration, while advanced AC filters like our Perfect Air Plus capture smaller particulates.  
3. Evaluate the MERV rating of the replacement air filter from 1-16. This scale indicates efficiency at trapping airborne contaminants. A higher MERV rating can mean better filtration, but that the selected air filter might restrict airflow.
4. Our experts can help determine the ideal air filter that balances your home’s HVAC system’s air quality and energy efficiency needs.

What is a MERV rating?

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The minimum efficiency reporting value is the measurement scale used to rate an air filter’s ability to trap different types and sizes of airborne particles. MERV ratings range from 1-16, with higher values indicating a more efficient filter that can capture smaller particulates.

Standard air filters for homes typically range from MERV 5-8, while True HEPA filters used in hospitals and cleanrooms can have MERV ratings as high as 16. The Perfect Air Plus filter has a MERV rating of 15, making it one of the most effective residential filters available for whole-home air cleaning.

Standard air filters ranging in MERV 5-8 can filter out pollen, dust mites, and carpet fibers. While suitable for basic particle filtration, filters with these MERV ratings can allow smaller contaminants like bacteria and smoke particles to pass through.

For improved air cleaning, MERV ratings from 9-12 are recommended. AC filters in this range can remove very small particulates, including hair spray, lead dust, and pet dander. When selecting a furnace filter, the MERV rating helps guide what size particulates will be removed from your home’s air. Filters with higher MERV values trap finer particulate matter but can also restrict airflow if incompatible with your furnace system. Expert guidance can help identify the best MERV rated air filters to improve your air quality with minimal impact on energy efficiency.

How Do Furnace Filters Contribute to Energy Efficiency?

• A clean, unobstructed air filter allows proper airflow, which reduces strain on the system.
• Ensures heating and cooling equipment operates at peak performance without overworking to draw air through clogged filters.  
• Over time, excessively dirty or clogged air filters create airflow resistance, forcing the AC system to labor harder in distributing air through ducts and vents.
• The harder the system works, the more energy is consumed, diminishing filter efficiency and hiking utility bills.
• Regularly replacing filters is one of the easiest ways to maximize HVAC energy savings and control costs.
• Though new filters are inexpensive compared to wasted energy from neglecting them, proper maintenance significantly extends system life while minimizing energy waste.
• The small effort of replacing air filters optimizes energy efficiency, reduces costs, and promotes environmental responsibility.

How Regularly Changing Your Furnace Filter Can Save Energy

Routine filter replacements, typically every 1-3 months for standard filters, allow proper airflow so your HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard. This improved energy efficiency translates to lower monthly bills. Regularly changing air filters on schedule is an easy way to maximize your AC system’s performance.

Failing to change filters regularly creates unnecessary strain on your heating and cooling system. As air filters become clogged, the blower motors must work much harder to pull air through the resistant air filter material. This increases energy consumption significantly. Over the course of a year, the cost of this wasted energy adds up. Investments in regular air filter replacements more than pay for themselves through these energy savings. Maintaining clean AC filters ensures your furnace operates at peak efficiency to lower energy bills. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to reduce your environmental impact as well by avoiding wasteful energy usage. Making air filter changes a consistent habit is a simple step for optimizing energy savings.