Choosing A/C Filters

It is essential to select the right air filter. After months of not using the A/C, a musty smell might trigger your memories of early summer as you turn on the system. To help you make the change to a better A/C filter, we have provided this useful guide that lists down all the factors you must consider when choosing the right air filtration system for your equipment.

Types of A/C Filters

There are three main categories of filters described below.

• Flat Panel Filters: This type consists of fiberglass and polyester mesh features. The material and cardboard frames surrounding the filter are flat sheets. These sheets are completely economical, and they can remove up to 10% of airborne dirt particles. You must consider replacing this type of filter at least once per month. 
• Extended Surface Filters: The materials, synthetic or cotton-polyester blends, fold into pleats, providing an additional surface area to trap airborne particles, improving the filtration quality by removing 35%-40% of pollutants. These types of surfaces may last for about two to four months. 
• Electrostatic Filters: Electrostatic media attracts allergens and other loose particles. The resultant charge created by air movement through the layers of materials effectively eliminates dirt and dust. This is the most expensive type of filter available in the market, but customers need not replace them more than once a year. 

Determining the Correct Size of A/C Filters

Check the numbers on your existing filter to ensure that your replacement filter is appropriately sized. If your model does not display the measurements or your system does not have a filter in place, please measure the grill and the existing system to find the dimensions of height, width, and depth.

Measure vertically up and down to find the filter’s height, side to side for the width, and the filter’s thickness for the depth. Make sure to use a tape measure for more accurate measurements of the dimensions and round up the fractional numbers to the nearest whole number.

The function of your air filter is to keep dirt away from the internal A/C equipment. Proper sizing is important to ensure the regular functioning of the air filter. Conventionally, consumers think air filters are meant to keep the air free of dust particles, but such is not the case. The dirt coil units in the air filter can obstruct heat exchange that causes the indoor air to cool properly. The filter’s role is to keep the unit functioning at its optimal level.

Check the MERV Rating and A/C Filter Efficiency

The A/C filter’s minimum efficiency report value or MRV is a good indicator of its ability to remove contaminants from your indoor air. Higher numbers indicate better filtration. Check the ratings below to get a better idea of the ratings. 

• MERV 1-4: Most standard filters with a basic level of filtration at low costs.
• MERV 6-8: Used in residential settings for the excellent filtration it provides. The pleated paper or cloth in the filtration provides more surface to catch the pollutants.
• MERV 9-12: These mid-range, high-quality filters can capture microscopic dust particles of 1 micron or larger in size.
• MERV 13-16: Filter of high-efficiency ratings prove to be the best standard filters that can remove extremely tiny particles sized 0.3 microns or larger.