There are a lot of filters on the market. How do I compare the different brands?There are several ways to compare filters including arrestance, efficiency, dust loading capacity, and MERV rating. After being in the filter business for many years, we believe the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV is the best standard of comparison. The air filter industry is governed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers or ASHRAE. The MERV standard or filter test method was developed by ASHRAE and is the best means for an "apples to apples" comparison of filters. This is the method used by engineers in industrial and commercial applications, in other words, the people that use filters every day. This is why the MERV rating is listed for every style of filter we sell. The higher the MERV rating the more dirt particles in the air the filter will trap.
How do I choose a filter that's right for me?
If you are shopping at our site, you are probably looking for a better filter than what is available at the local store. Or you are using a high quality filter and have found we are a less expensive source for the product. It makes sense to use the highest MERV rated filter you can afford. The higher the MERV rating, the cleaner your heating or air conditioning system will remain. The cleaner it is, the more efficient it operates. The more efficient it operates, the lower your utility bill. Further, the higher the MERV rating, the less particulates in the air leaving the filter. Having said this, we are all limited in our filter choices by the ability of our unit to pull the air through the filter. In general terms, the higher the MERV rating the more power it takes to pull the air through the filter. If the fan in our unit can't pull the air through the filter, we need a filter with lower resistance. If you have an older unit in your home, older than 10 years, you should probably stick with a MERV rated filter of 8 or less. Remember a MERV 8 filter is still 200% better than the fiberglass panel filters used in many homes. If you have a new unit, you may want to try a MERV 11 filter.
How often should I change my filter?
This is a good question that is tough to answer. On average many users change their filter every 30 days. However, how many hours the unit has been running per day is much more important than how many days the filter has been in it. As your air filter loads with dirt, it becomes harder for the fan in your unit to move air through the filter. If you notice a decrease in the amount of return air from your unit, the filter may need changed. Or if you see a substantial change in the color of the filter media it may need changed. We change the filters in our home often and believe it helps keep our home clean.
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