Furnace Filters - Furnace Air Filters Outlet, New York

In order to help you decide which type of furnace air filter You should choose, let´s review the most commonly available residential furnace filters - in order of their effectiveness:

7.3.1. Traditional Fiberglass Disposable Furnace Air Filters (Limited Effectiveness)

The most commonly used residential furnace filter is the ´Fiberglass Throwaway Furnace Air Filter´ - one of the least expensive residential furnace air filters that you can buy (hence it´s popularity). However, we in the trade refer to it as a "bugs and birds air filter", primarily because it is only designed to capture larger particles and debris.

The fiberglass throwaway furnace filter is designed only to protect your furnace fan and ductwork from by large dust particles, but it will not clean your air very efficiently at all. Fiberglass furnace air filters are normally not rated using the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) air filter efficiency rating system (if it were it would only be able to achieve a MERV 2 or MERV 3 rating at best).

7.3.2. Polyester Disposable Furnace Air Filters (Minor Effectiveness)

Since polyester fibers are less irritating than glass fibers, ´Polyester Throwaway Furnace Air Filters´ are considered better to work with than fiberglass throwaway furnace filters. Polyester throwaway air filters also have slightly higher efficiency than their fiberglass counterparts, because the polyester fibers pack more efficiently allowing a better particle retention capacity. Polyester furnace air filters are also not usually rated using the MERV rating system (but would be equivalent to a MERV 3 or MERV 4 at best).

7.3.3. Traditional Pleated Disposable Furnace Air Filters (Effective - Very Effective)

´Pleated Throwaway Furnace Air Filters´ are typically manufactured from non-woven synthetic media, formed into a V-shaped or U-shaped pleat configuration, and bonded to expanded metal wire reinforcement. This is then glued to (high wet-strength) beverage board for a rigid air filter that virtually eliminates ´dirty air bypass´ when installed properly. Pleated panel furnace air filters are available in a range of efficiencies from MERV 7 - MERV 11.

7.3.4. Residential Air Cleaner Furnace Air Filters & Cartridges (Highly Effective)

Furnace and furnace air filter manufacturers such as Honeywell, Aprilaire, Carrier, York, and others, have developed a type of furnace Air Cleaner Module that can be installed on the return air side of your furnace. These modules accomodate 3"-6" depth, high efficiency residential air cleaner filters that are similar to a pleated filter, but have higher dust holding capacity because of their increased depth.

Residential Air Cleaner Filters are readily available in a range of efficiencies including MERV 8, MERV 11 and MERV 12. Some have a plastic or metal frame that is reused, while the dirty media is thrown away and replaced with new stock. Cartridge Style Air Cleaners are disposed of completely when spent. More About Honeywell Air Cleaners. If you already have one of these air cleaner modules installed in your furnace, you can purchase replacement filters for most brands at our Discount Online Air Cleaner Outlet.

7.3.5. Residential Air Whole House HEPA Air Purifiers (Maximum Effectiveness)

High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA Filters) are now available for removal of airborne sub-micron sized particles ´Whole House´ HEPA residential furnace filtering applications.

Although Whole House HEPA filters are more expensive than standard furnace filters (and may also require special installation), they can be extremely beneficial for allergy and asthma sufferers, because they very efficiently remove sub-micron particles from the air in your home. Discount Online HEPA Filter Outlet

Note: when a HEPA furnace filter works long enough to accumulate trapped dust particles, it actually becomes better at capturing small particles. However, at some point, it will become too restrictive to the furnace airflow, and must then be changed out. Accordingly, ´Whole House´ HEPA filters are often equipped with a separate blower to compensate for the limited capacity of a standard furnace to overcome the inherent airflow resistance of the HEPA furnace filter media.

Summary - Choosing Your Optimum Furnace Air Filter

If you´re still using the cheapest possible disposable residential air filter in your furnace / HVAC system, you´re probably not achieving very much air filtration at all. By moving up to a quality pleated firnace filter you´ll remove significantly more particulate which will help you breathe more easily and also help you keep your home much cleaner.

If you want higher performance and are willing to make a modest investment, consider installing a residential air cleaning unit. In our opinion, anyone building a new home or replacing an existing furnace / HVAC unit should seriously consider installing a residential ´whole house´ air cleaner as part of their new heating / cooling system.

If you, or a family member, suffer from allergies, a Whole House HEPA filter unit is undoubtedly your best possible solution. This technology is now affordable for most people, and it has the power to literally transform your home lifestyle when correctly implemented.

Whichever residential furnace filter technology you decide is your best fit, you must remember to change out your filter at the appropriate time, otherwise your furnace / HVAC system will not function correctly and your investment will be wasted.

When it comes to upgrading your residential furnace filter system, or buying replacement furnace filters, check out the JD Supply Online Discount Air Filter Catalog. We stock the major brands and models with best available discount pricing. If you can´t find what you need just e-mail info@boiler-outlet.com or call 1-866.800.9286 for a best available discount price quotation. We also provide a custom air filter fabrication service, and ship discount residential HVAC equipment and furnace filters anywhere in North America.

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