With the temperatures cooling here in the Fort Worth area, many residents are choosing to get their HVAC systems ready for the fall and winter months ahead. Part of this important seasonal task is replacing the home air filter on your furnace, and if you’ve ever stood in the filter aisle at your local home improvement store, you know that the options can be a little overwhelming. In today’s blog, we’ll review four of the more common filter types and explore the pros and cons of each one to make the replacement process easier.
If you’re a Fort Worth resident who’s in need of seasonal furnace maintenance, call the professionals at Arthur Hagar Air Conditioning and Heating today. We’ll perform an inspection of your entire HVAC system to ensure it’s ready for the changing temperatures ahead. Schedule your appointment today!
Common Home Air Filters
When it comes time to replace the air filter on your furnace, there are a lot of options to choose from. Below, we’ve listed four of the most common residential filters available along with the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
Disposable Fiberglass
When you think of a furnace filter, it’s likely that the disposable fiberglass variety is the first to come to mind. These types of filters are manufactured with one inch thick spun fiberglass in the middle and cardboard borders on both sides to enhance strength and rigidity.
Pros: These filters are very affordable, normally ranging between $1 and $2 each.
Cons: While they are inexpensive, they are a bare bones filter. This type of filter will provide minimal air cleaning benefits and may not be the best choice for those who have allergies or breathing disorders.
MERV rating: Between 2 and 4
What’s a MERV rating? MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value, and this is a means of rating the effectiveness of air filters. The MERV scale ranges from 1 to 20, and the higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter will be in trapping airborne particles.
Disposable Allergy Pleated
As the name suggests, this type of filter has a pleated body and is also disposable like its fiberglass counterpart. These body of the filter is typically composed of some type of polyester or cotton paper blend and the outer frame is manufactured from rigid cardboard allowing the filter to maintain its strength and shape.
Pros: Costing between $5 and $10 each, this type of filter is an affordable way of incorporating eco-friendly products in your home since it can be made from green materials.
Cons: Although these filters are relatively inexpensive and can be great for improving indoor air quality, they can cause more resistance for the airflow in your furnace, which can increase operating expenses.
MERV rating: Between 6 and 8
Are you uncertain what type of filter is best for your home furnace? The highly trained technicians at Arthur Hagar Air Conditioning and Heating would be more than happy to help you out! To learn more about our HVAC maintenance services, call our team at 817-478-1122 today!
Electrostatic Filters
This type of filter has self-charging cotton or paper fibers that create a positive charge which attracts air impurities such as dust, dirt, and allergies as air passes through it. Most of these filters are permanent, but there are some disposable ones, and the accumulated impurities remain on the filter until it is washed or disposed of.
Pros: Electrostatic home air filters are available in most standard sizes and are a great option for homeowners with kids, pets, and smokers. If using the permanent filter, there is less waste generated because it is reusable.
Cons: If your furnace requires a custom sized filter, these can be expensive. Depending on the size and whether or not you opt for permanent or disposable, these filters may cost anywhere between $20 and $200.
MERV rating: between 8 and 10
HEPA Filters
If you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or breathing disorders, you’re probably familiar with the term “HEPA air filter.” HEPA is short for High Efficiency Particulate Air, and these types of filters are commonly used in commercial settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities that rely on pristine air quality.
Pros: This type of filter is the best out there for removing small particulates from the air, and while they are mostly used commercially, those with a MERV rating of more than 12 are suitable for home air filters.
Cons: Much like the pleated allergy filter, HEPA filters can severely restrict the airflow of your HVAC system, and this can result in increased operating expenses. For those considering HEPA filters, this must be taken into consideration.
MERV rating: Between 17 and 20
Fort Worth Air Cleaners and HVAC Maintenance
An efficient home air filter is essential for ensuring the indoor air quality in your home is as pure as possible. At Arthur Hagar, we are happy to provide HVAC maintenance services that include inspecting your system and filters to ensure they are operating as efficiently as possible. Our technicians will also gladly review Carrier® home air cleaner and purification products with you at your request. With more than 65 years of experience in the home heating and cooling industry, we provide quality products and services that just can’t be beat. For more information and to get started, call us at 817-478-1122 today! We can’t wait to help you!
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