If you have had air quality issues inside of your home, you might be looking into all of the solutions available. Chances are high that your air conditioning and heating system currently has a filter in place (we hope!), but it’s likely a standard fiberglass filter.
When you shop around for replacement filters, you might notice another common type, pleated media filters which may cost a bit more but do offer more powerful filtration. Learn more about why this may or may not be the right choice!
Pleated Filters Can Be Useful
Pleated air filters are often recommended to people trying to ensure proper airflow while reducing the number of allergens in the air. They have a larger surface area, which means there is more space for particles to be trapped. There’s no need to add restrictive fibers either, which means airflow can still be adequate through the AC system as long as your filter is properly sized.
Some Filters May Block Airflow
However, pleated filters can be trouble. If you are looking to improve air quality, you might look for a filter with a higher MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) to trap more particles. However, a pleated filter with a MERV over 8 may stop air from flowing into an AC system properly. The standard pleated filter that your technician picks out gets more allergens than a fiberglass filter but still has trouble trapping particles under 1 micron in size.
For Better Filtration, Try an Air Purifier
That’s why we often recommend a whole-home air cleaner or purifier rather than a pleated filter. If you want to reduce instances of illness in your home and find relief from allergy symptoms or asthma, an electronic air purifier charges particles in the air without blocking any air from moving into your air conditioner and damaging the system. Talk to an HVAC technician in your area to learn about the indoor air quality options available to you!
Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is your choice for indoor air quality advice and complete heating and air conditioning services in Bloomfield. Don’t waste your time with the run-around. Give us a call and let us do it right the first time!