Which Air Filter Would Work Best for Your Furnace or HVAC

With the winter chill setting in, you’ll want to ensure your furnace and HVAC system are running at optimal efficiency. In order to keep your home warm and your energy costs low, you’ll need to keep your unit well-maintained, properly fueled and ensure it’s equipped with the best filter for your situation.

As much as you may wish you could just install whichever filter you want, the small differences between each variety of air filter can affect how well your system runs. How, then, do you determine which filter is right for you?

Fiberglass air filters are extremely common in older American homes. While they only sport a MERV rating of one to four, a relatively low efficiency rating, they are very inexpensive. This variety is best for use in small homes, ideally in areas with less dust and debris in the air. Although they aren’t necessarily built to purify the air, they can provide metal-reinforced protection of all your furnace or HVAC components. Fiberglass filters should be replaced every month for best results.

Another popular option for homeowners is pleated media filters. The pleated design is great for trapping more dust and debris than fiberglass, allowing cleaner air to circulate throughout the house. Although extremely fine air particles can make it through a pleated filter, high-efficiency varieties still boasts an impressive 14 to 16 MERV rating. Unfortunately, you have to pay more for greater efficiency. Despite its slightly higher price tag, pleated filters require less frequent replacement, potentially proving more cost-effective in the long run than fiberglass.

The most efficient filter type available is the HEPA variety with a MERV rating of 17 to 20. Despite its large size, which may make using a HEPA filter difficult for most residences and commercial facilities, HEPA filters catch a whopping 99.97% of all circulating pollutant particles, making them ideal for use in more sterile environments like hospitals and nuclear plants.1

Similar to fiberglass filters, washable filters offer minimal air filtration and decent furnace and HVAC protection at a fraction of the price of higher efficiency filters. Washable filters have a MERV rating of one to four but do not require replacements. They’re made of more durable materials than other filters and can be washed and reused month after month, eliminating replacement costs. Although the cleaning process may take some effort, you won’t be generating waste, making them a favorite choice for people who live eco-friendly lifestyles.

Your furnace’s air filtration system is just as important as the rest of its components when it comes to keeping energy costs as low as possible. The right filter for you may vary depending on your lifestyle, so consider what you value most before investing in your next filter.

Don’t forget to keep your furnace well-fueled and maintained this winter with furnace oil delivery or furnace service from Bogue Oil, Inc. Our fast and friendly technicians have been serving the Hampton Roads area for more than 40 years, ensuring you have the quality products and services you’ve come to expect year after year. To schedule your oil delivery or furnace service, contact us online or call (757) 855-6251 today!

1 https://www.nafahq.org/understanding-merv/