If you’ve noticed that your indoor air quality has decreased and perhaps your electrical bill has risen slightly, you might want to change your furnace filter. Where can you purchase a furnace air filter? Well, of course there are many online shops for home improvement stores that do offer the best furnace filters.
You probably never really paid much attention to the furnace air filters but after reading through this article, you will have learned a lot. So get comfortable and be ready to learn.
What is a Furnace Filter?
A furnace air filter is one component that is found inside your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems cleaner.
Why must you change your furnace filters? Well, there are millions of reasons why you should get replacement filters. A clean filter purifies the air through holding dust particles, mold spores, allergens, pet dander, viruses and other types of air pollutants.
If you fail to replace the filter, the consequences… may result in higher energy bills, a furnace that’s too hot, or a damaged blower fan.
What are the Types of Furnace Filters?
There are many types of furnace air filters, and we shall discuss them briefly before we proceed to the best furnace filters.
a). Pleated Air Filter
Pleated air filters could be classified into disposable type or high efficiency type. The disposable pleated air filter can capture tiny particles and they can be purchased cheap and are easily accessible. On the other hand High efficiency pleated filters capture the smallest of particles and are almost always very efficient. Nonetheless, the high efficiency filters are costly and cannot be used on all furnace types because they are thicker.
b). Activated Carbon Filters
The activated carbon filters belong to the older types, and they contain small absorbent pores that reacts chemically with pollutants passes through it. Carbon and the pollutants stick together during the process and the chemicals, smoke, odours and gasses stick to the carbon fibre. Please remember that you cannot use this filter alone because they failed to filter dust or micro-organisms.
c). HEPA
This stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. It is a type of air purifier that has an efficiency of trapping up to 99.97 percent of airborne particles with sizes of up to 0.3 microns; and 95 percent efficiency on particles as small as 0.1 microns. HEPA filters can’t remove smells, cigarette smoke, gases and chemicals. To ensure you get full coverage of filter filtration, there is available the HEPA filter with the activated carbon filter.
d). Disposable Fiberglass
Disposable fiberglass filters are made from spun glass and is perfect for large particles. But they should be cleared to allow efficiency after 30 days; otherwise, the heating system will be forced to work harder, using up even more energy.
e). Electrostatic Filters
The electrostatic filter is made up of self charging paper of the cotton fiber with ability to charge positively. They traps various particles that feature dirt, dust and allergens among others. Some are permanent ones, but there also washable ones are also available on the market. Electrostatic filters work avidly and these factors make them expensive.
With a clearer understanding of what a filter does and the types available, let us now discuss the best furnace filters.
Five Best Furnace Filters
1. Filtrete AC Furnace Air Filter-MPR 1000
- OUTPERFORMS FIBERGLASS, WASHABLE AND NON-ELECTROSTATIC 3-month...
- DESIGNED WITH EXCLUSIVE Filtrete Brand 3-in-1 technology from 3M...
- ATTRACTS AND CAPTURES particles such as lint, pollen, dust, pet...
- 1000 MPR has a rating of MERV 11
- The higher the MPR, the more microparticles--such as pollen, pet...
This furnace filter by 3M is electromagnetically charged. It is safe for home use because it captures pet dander, lint, pollen, smoke, smog among other particles. It’s an airborne dirt and dust stopper employing a minimum efficiency reporting value of 11 percent.
It is actually 24.69 by 0.81 by 15.69 inches in width, depth, and height respectively. You are able to use the filters in slim fit of 4-inch and thick ones of 5 inches in thickness although you get only 1000 MPR. This filter is designed to last for up to three months before the next change is done.
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2. Aprilaire 213 A1 Replacement Air Filter-MERV 13
- BUY WITH CONFIDENCE This genuine AprilAire 213 replacement air...
- CREATE A HEALTHIER HOME by preventing airborne allergens from...
- BETTER PERFORMANCE thanks to the patented AprilAire Self-Seal...
- EASY AS 1-2-3 TO INSTALL in the unique AprilAire Interlock Rail...
- NOMINAL AIR FILTER SIZE of 20 x 25 x 4 inches (nominal size is an...
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3. Aerostar MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter
- Nominal size: 12x12x1; Actual size: 11 3/4"x11 3/4"x3/4"; This...
- Designed to filter microscopic particles such as lint, dust...
- Simple to install and a cost-effective step towards a healthier...
- 100% synthetic electrostatic media for high efficiency with low...
- Manufactured in the USA by Filtration Group, a world-leading...
This Aerostar air filter is a MERV 13 pleated air filter and is available in packs of only six. It removes pollutants in form of small particles such as lint, spores, pollen, fine dust, smoke, bacteria and viruses.
The installation process is very simple and you do not spend much time on it. Its estimates size in volume is 12 by 12 by 1 inch. You are advised to change this furnace filter every 60-90 days. However, in the peak months of that given year like the summer and the winter it would be even better and more efficient to replace after 30 days.
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4. Nordic Pure AC Furnace Air Filters-MERV 12
- Nominal Size: 16 x 25 x 1, Actual Size: 15 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 3/4...
- Attracts indoor allergens, dust, pollen and other airborne...
- Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial pleated electrostatic filter...
- Nordic Pure recommends changing 1” air filters every 30-90 days
- Made in the USA
Nordic Pure furnace filter is about 16 by 25 by 1 inch; it traps pollen, dust mite, dust, indoor allergens, and other particles. It comes with a Hydrogen, bacterial peal, electrostatic, pleated filter material making it to be hypoallergenic. It also removes the Bad odor that you would prefer not to be present in your home hence making your home friendly.
With this air conditioning filter, the contaminated air with MERV 12 filter and clean air passes through and comes back to you with fresh air to breathe on. The filter needs to be replaced every 30 to 90 days depending on the availability of airborne particles in your residential area.
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5. Filtrete 20x25x1 AC Furnace Air Filter (MERV 13, MPR 1900, 2-Pack)
- The higher the MPR, the more microparticles--such as pollen, pet...
- FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE of your heating & cooling system or HVAC...
- A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work...
- OUTPERFORMS FIBERGLASS, WASHABLE AND NON-ELECTROSTATIC 3-month...
- DESIGNED WITH EXCLUSIVE Filtrete Brand 3-in-1 technology from 3M...
Filtrete MERV 13 20x25x1 AC Furnace Air Filter is the most effective air filter which has better efficiency in capturing allergens, bacteria, viruses and other contaminant in the air. Its MPR (Microparticle Performance Rating) of 1900 guarantees optimal deposits for homes that demand high quality air. This filter is recommended for households that want to maintain healthy indoor air and especially for people with allergies.
The Filtrete 20x25x1 MERV 13 Air Filter is one of the best when it comes to the quality of indoor air. Even though it may slightly reduce air flow in some systems it has far superior filtration to the elementary unit and can benefit health conscious homes by trapping allergens, bacteria and viruses.
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What Should You Consider Before Buying the Best Furnace Filter?
a). Type of Filter
As discussed earlier, we have seen the different types of filters available on the market. You are aware that the matter of choosing the best furnace filters means you won’t be short of choices. Among them, paper and fiberglass are affordable and are used in most mobile homes. But you alone would know what would be most appropriate for you – the deciding factor for the type of filter you choose.
b). Filter Size
A furnace air filter will either fit or not. From our review, you will obtain the sizing which is in inches; these sizing are usually expressed in terms of width, height and thickness. Assuming that if one will put a thicker filter, the better it will be, but they cannot be swapped out. However, prior to purchasing a filter, make sure that you understand the size of the filter you need to fit into the furnace so that you should not buy an overly large or small filter.
c). Compatibility with Furnace
When buying a furnace filter, you want to make sure that your furnace needs only that brand or that model of the filter. This means that you purchase the right type and this will not tamper with the competitiveness of the product.
d). Filtration Level
Most disposable furnace filters are categorized by the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale that indicates the efficiency of a filter. The higher the number the finer it is and therefore the more particle it holds or trapped within its premises.
i). Disposable- this is common filter that you are likely to receive when you are using the product at home. They range between MERV 6 and MERV 2, while MERV 8 is ideal, and 10-11 excellent in controlling odors.
ii). Commercial- These units come with higher MERV ratings and therefore cannot be used at home because residential systems deliver very little air by way of circulation.
iii). Washable- May not be covered by minimum efficiency reporting value and can be confusing. They also capture some percentage of particles, but they do not describe the sizes of those particles.
e). Ease of Installation
Filters are different and installed differently too. With others sliding into the furnace housing. Some are installed on the wall or even above the ceiling right where the heating and cooling system is. You can, therefore, identify the position of the filters just by observing the vents.
Ceiling filters have thumb tubs which are slid forward to release the grate, and to open and pull down the filter tray the grating is pulled down; wall fan filters are held in place by set screw on the grating part. Rotation of the screw counter clockwise direction unlock the grate thus providing room for holding the filter.
Furnace Filter Ratings
There are three primary codes for furnace filter ratings that you may need to know before you purchase a furnace air filter: MERV, FPR, and MPR. One’s efficiency is gauged after producing an air filter furnace and depending on the outcome, they are rated regardless if it has a MERV, MPR, or FPR rating. The higher the number, the better the efficiency of trapping all sorts of particles even the microscopic ones.
a). FPR
Filter Performance Rating is a unit rating system, but it is not as simple as one, two, three, etc. Rather, it has a color-coded scale that measures the capacity of a filter to filter specific kinds of particles and their standard. They include quantity scale ranging between four and 10 as well as a type scale in the form of names.
b). MPR
MPR stands for Microparticle Performance Rating and it is a product of 3M company. Despite the trust placed in it and its availability online, it is only used for 3M and Filtrete line of filters. For trapping one micron small particles the MPR rating of the filter of the furnace is about 2800.
c). MERV
MERV or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value is the industry standard as the only one rated as a nationally regulated system. It was designed to determine aerosol’s effectiveness in capturing airborne pollutants. There exists distinct; Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value scales at a range of 1-20, where 20 is the best scale.
The main issue with MERV is that anything over a rating of 13 can block the passage of air and can also place backpressure on a system, which means it will not be as good as it could be. Thus, you will only need to invest in a high MERV rated filter but only up to what your furnace allows.
