Do you have the best furnace filter on your furnace? There are a few different types of furnace filters, as well as different MERV ratings. Which you should use depends on your furnace and your priorities. We’ll explain the types of furnace filters below and give you something to consider when you make your choice.
Why is a Furnace Filter Necessary?
A furnace filter is an essential component of your furnace. It collects debris from your air as the air is pulled into the furnace. Otherwise, dirt, debris, dust, and other things floating in your air would end up in the furnace and would damage it over time. Your filter also has the side benefit of filtering some of these things out of your air, although not as much as a dedicated air purifier would.
The Types of Furnace Filters
There are four general kinds of furnace filters:
- Disposable: These are thin sheets of fabric, that you can throw out when they get full. They provide poor filtration, so we don’t recommend them.
- Disposable pleated: The most popular kind of furnace filter, pleated furnace filters can capture a lot of airborne debris, depending on their rating. You can dispose of them once they are full.
- Washable filters: Washable filters can be reused several times, allowing you to save money. It is a little inconvenient to clean them though.
- Electrostatic filters: Electrostatic filters use static to capture even more dust and debris. They are typically not used in furnaces (and your furnace may not be able to handle one) but are frequently used in air purifiers.
Typically, we recommend that our clients use disposable pleated filters in their furnaces, as they combine low-cost, good quality, and convenience. To learn more about our furnace filters and how you can improve your indoor air quality, contact us today.
MERV Ratings
It is not enough to just pick a furnace filter type and buy it. You need to also make sure that your filter is of a good MERV rating. This is a rating about how much debris and what size of debris the filter can remove from your air. At a minimum, you want a MERV rating of 8 for your furnace filter. An even better option would be a rating of 12.
While MERV ratings go up to 20, you shouldn’t use a filter this good on your furnace. They can restrict airflow, so your furnace won’t be able to pump heat as far. The stress of the limited air will also put pressure on the furnace, eventually leading to problems, repairs, and potentially even breaking the furnace altogether.
Each furnace has a specified MERV rating limit for its filters. Reach out to the team at Woodbridge Climate Care to discuss what filter would be best for your furnace.
Find the Best Furnace Filters Here
If you are interested in learning more about our furnaces and our filters, please contact our experts today.
