Blog Highlights:
- The filter ensures that the air circulating throughout your home remains clean and safe
- Once your heating and cooling system is installed, you should make sure you purchase the correct filter
- When choosing your filter there are several factors to consider
The furnace filter is an important component of your heating and cooling system. The filter ensures that the air circulating throughout your home remains clean and safe. It removes dirt, pollen, dust, and other allergens from the air. If you live in Salt Lake or Park City, it is imperative to have a good, sturdy furnace filter.
Once your heating and cooling system is installed, you should make sure you purchase the correct filter. In order to have the highest quality of air, you should follow the instructions in your system’s manual. Having the right filter ensures efficiency and effectiveness.
When choosing your filter there are several factors to consider:
Size
In order to figure out the size you need, check the side of the door on the filter cabinet. The filter should fit well and leave no room for air to escape. The most common sizes are 16” x 20”, 20” x 25”, and 16” x 25”. Most manufacturer’s produce filters that can be used in different brands of systems. Before purchasing your filter, be sure to consult the product’s information to confirm it is compatible with your system.
Filter Thickness
Again, you will need to look at your furnace to determine how thick your filter should be. Thicker filters tend to last longer and are more efficient. You can find filters that are anywhere from 1 to 5 inches thick.
Pleated vs. Non-Pleated
We recommend pleated furnace filters. Typically they are more efficient and last longer than flat fiberglass filters. Pleated filters catch more contaminants and allergens because their surface area is large and the fibers are tightly woven, keeping even the smallest pollutants out of your home.
Filter Efficiency
The American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the air filter industry have agreed upon a universal rating system: MERV. The MERV system is a numbered, convenient, and easy-to-use way for homeowners to determine how well a filter will work. A high MERV rating designates a high level of efficiency and air quality. In a typical home, 10 is the most common MERV rating for filters. However, if you or a member of your family suffers from allergies or asthma, you should look for a filter with a rating of 12 or higher.
Do you need help deciding what filter to buy? Are you ready to install your filter, but don’t know how? Call us today!
Consult the following chart of MERV ratings for the furnace filter that will best suit your home or office:
| MERV RATING CHART | |||||
| Standard 52.5 Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value | Dust Spot Efficiency | Arrestance | Typical Controlled Containment | Typical Applicaitons and Limitations | Typical Air Filter/Cleaner Type |
| 20 | n/a | n/a | < 0.30 pm particle size | Clean rooms | >99.999% eff. On 10-20 pm Particles |
| 19 | n/a | n/a | Virus (unattached) | Radioactive Materials | Particles |
| 18 | n/a | n/a | Carbon Dust | Pharmaceutical Man. | Particulates |
| 17 | n/a | n/a | All Combustion smoke | Carcinogenetic Materials | >99.97% eff. On 30 pm Particles |
| 16 | n/a | n/a | 0.3-1.0 pm Particle Size | General Surgery | Bag filter – Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 6-12 pockets Box filter – Rigid Style Cartridge Filters 6 to 12″ deep may use lofted or paper media |
| 15 | > 95% | n/a | All Bacteria | Hospital Inpatient Care | |
| 14 | 90% – 95% | > 98% | Most Tobacco Smoke | Smoking Lunges | |
| 13 | 89% – 90% | > 98% | Proplet Nuclei (Sneeze) | Superior Commercial Buildings | |
| 12 | 70% – 75% | > 95% | 1.0-3.0 pm Particle Size Legionella | Superior Residential | Bag filter – Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 6-12 pockets Box filter – Rigid Style Cartridge Filters 6 to 12″ deep may use lofted or paper media |
| 11 | 60% – 65% | > 95% | Humidifier Dust Lead Dust | Better Commercial Buildings | |
| 10 | 50% – 55% | > 95% | Milled Flour Auto Emissions | Hospital Laboratories | |
| 9 | 40% – 45% | > 90% | Welding Fumes | ||
| 8 | 30% – 35% | > 90% | 3.0-10.0 pm Particle Size | Commercial Buidlings | Pleated Filters – Disposable, extended surface area, thick with cotton-polyester blend media, cardboard frame Cartridge Filters – Grated density viscous coated cube or pocket filters, synthetic media Throwaway – Disposable synthetic panel liner |
| 7 | 25% – 30% | > 90% | Mold Spores Hair Spray | Better Residential | |
| 6 | < 20% | 85% – 90% | Fabric Protector Dusting Aids | Industrial Workplace | |
| 5 | < 20% | 85% – 90% | Cement Dust Pudding Mix | Paint Booth Inlet | |
| 4 | < 20% | 75% – 80% | > 10.0 pm Particle Size Pollen | Minimal Filtration | Throwaway – Disposable synthetic panel liner Washable – Aluminum Mesh Electrostatic – Self-charging woven panel filter |
| 3 | < 20% | 70% – 75% | Dust Mites Sanding Dust | Residential | |
| 2 | < 20% | 65% – 70% | Spray Paint Dust | ||
| 1 | < 20% | < 65% | Textile Fibers Carpet Fibers | Window A/C Units | |