Trying to find the perfect filter for your home? There are several types of air conditioning filters that you can use in your home or office, including:
- Fiberglass Poly filters: These are the most common and economical filters. They are made of a mesh of fiberglass fibers and are designed to trap large particles such as dust, pollen, and pet hair.
- Pleated filters: These filters are made of a pleated paper material and are more efficient than fiberglass filters. They are designed to trap smaller particles such as mold spores, bacteria, and smoke.
- Washable filters: As the name suggests, these filters can be washed and reused. They are made of metal mesh or synthetic material and are designed to trap large and small particles.
- Whole Home Filtration Media Cabinet (4-Inch-Thick Filter)– Installed in the attic at the AC Furnace a Whole Home Media Filter is designed to keep the ac system clean and capture pollutants such as bacteria, pollen, and pet danger. Whole Home Media filters have 9 times the filtration area found in traditional 1” pleated filters.
It is important to choose the right type of filter for your needs and to replace or clean your filters regularly to ensure that your air conditioning system is functioning properly and providing clean air.
The better option between 4-inch filters, pleated, and poly depends on your specific needs and requirements.
Pleated filters are more efficient than poly filters because they have a larger surface area for capturing particles and a higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. This means that they can trap smaller particles, such as dust, pollen, and mold spores, which can improve indoor air quality. Poly filters are less expensive and are capable of capturing large particles, but they require more frequent filter changes and don’t do as well of a job keeping your HVAC equipment clean. When choosing between a 1” pleated filter or a poly filter Total Air recommends a pleated filter every time. Some contractors will argue that pleated filters can create higher static pressure which can cause the unit to strain or work harder, but this is nothing compared to what dirt build up can do to an HVAC system. Dirt is the #1 cause of breakdowns in HVAC equipment, so we highly recommend pleated vs. poly filters if you have the choice.
For next level filtration and to keep your HVAC equipment clean a Whole Home 4-inch media filter installed at the HVAC equipment is what we refer to as the best option if it fits your home needs. This type of filter is installed at the furnace and pairs up right next to the return plenum capturing all particles before entering into the HVAC equipment and then distributing into your home. We love media cabinets because you also have the ability to install different filter types promoting healthy air. You can select from Merv 11 to Merv 16, and also choose from carbon to allergy fighting filters depending on the filtration needs for your home. Media filters also last longer than traditional 1-inch filters and are required to be changed every 4-6 months depending on your home. We have seen homes that can last up to 1 year without the media filter needing to be changed, but it is custom to your home needs. If you also have hard to reach areas in your home where the traditional 1” filter is installed in the return grill, a media filter can come in handy because it can be much easier to change. Especially if your attic is nice and spacious.
Ultimately, it is important to choose a filter that is compatible with your air conditioning system and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for filter replacement or cleaning. Get a Total Air Comfort Club Membership today & receive 2 Preventative Maintenance visits Per Year! Preventive maintenance is the best way to avoid costly breakdowns and repairs and we can also change your filters for you while we are there. Simply have the filter for us or we carry media cabinet filters on our trucks for sale. Annual maintenance to your home also provides greater energy savings, making sure your home systems are performing in top condition while ensuring maximum life of your systems.
