Are filtrete filters worth the money?

But at the lowest speed, the filter is only average in removing those same particles in the air. You'll pay more for a washable air filter because it should last for years, instead of months. While it's a good idea in theory, it has multiple problems, such as lower MERV ratings, frequent maintenance requirements, and the potential to attract mold to your air unit. Unlike fiberglass filters, Filtrete filters help protect your heating and cooling system and improve indoor air quality by cleaning the air as it passes through the filter.

Fiberglass filters were created exclusively to protect ovens and air conditioning systems and improve their functionality. Both are evidence that the smoked air is finding a way around the clogged filter instead of going through it, and that it's time to install a new one. This is especially true in homes with older HVAC units, which weren't built to accommodate thicker air filters. If all dimensions are the same, a filter with a higher MERV rating and more folds per inch will have the same or better airflow than the same filter with a lower MERV rating and fewer folds.

If you're really looking to improve indoor air quality, you should consider upgrading to a 4 or 5 wide filter cabinet. Here at Filter King we offer affordable filters that look expensive but provide protection equal to what you pay for. During a wildfire, you'll need to change filters more often than under normal air conditions, and there are some indicators that can help you know when it's time to replace one. A filter must be replaced constantly or there may be problems with air flow and filter efficiency.

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Report Value and is a measure of how well a filter removes particles from the air. Household HVAC air filters are rated based on their MERV rating, with most household filters between 1 and 13 (more than 13 are for HEPA filters). When shopping for air filters online, look for places that allow you to customize your quantity to get exactly what you need. In a conversation about the most common filter levels for retail, MERV 1 to 16, Owen said this range “takes it from filters that could catch a golf ball.

I'm exaggerating a bit to filters that will catch almost everything.