Are More Expensive Home Air Filters Worth It?

When it comes to air filters, it's important to consider the quality of the air in your home. More expensive filters, such as pleated residential filters, can filter out dust mites, pollen, mold, pet dander, and even bacteria, making them a worthwhile investment for those with severe allergies. HEPA filters are also worth the extra money for people with respiratory conditions such as emphysema. Washable air filters may seem like a good idea in theory, but they come with multiple problems such as lower MERV ratings, frequent maintenance requirements, and the potential to attract mold to your air unit.

If you choose to use an expensive air filter instead of a cheap one, these monthly routines can quickly become costly. However, if you have a family member who suffers from respiratory problems or allergies, then it would be a good idea to invest in more expensive air filters. If a filter works for too long without replacing it, the resulting effects on airflow prevent fresh air from entering. This can lead to respiratory complications such as asthma or a serious case of allergies when someone inhales the wrong air particle.

When shopping for air filters online, look for places that allow you to customize your quantity to get exactly what you need. MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Report Value, is the most common system for measuring the filtration capabilities of an air filter and ranges from 1 to 20. If you live in a particularly dusty area, have a lot of pets or pets with certain types of hair, or have allergies, these are all reasons to seek a higher MERV rating. Air filters are also important for people who live in a highly polluted area because the filter can filter out harmful contaminants from the air.

The value of an electrostatic filter is that it captures smaller particles than a standard washable filter and is completely reusable. Your home's air filter blocks problems in the air that a ventilation system can pump from the outside. In addition, pleated filters do not have to be changed as often as just one every 3 months compared to the once-a-month frequency of non-pleated filters. That's why it's important to use only air filters with the MERV rating recommended by the HVAC system manufacturer. For those looking for an effective way to improve their home's air quality without breaking the bank, investing in more expensive home air filters is worth considering.

Not only do they provide better filtration capabilities than cheaper options, but they also last longer and require less frequent maintenance. This means that you can enjoy cleaner air in your home without having to worry about constantly replacing your filter.