Should You Use Cheap or Expensive HVAC Filters?

Should You Use Cheap or Expensive HVAC Filters?

Your HVAC system has an air filter that helps trap unwanted airborne particles inside your home. This dramatically helps to increase your indoor air quality and ensure that the air your family breathes is safe and fresh. When it comes to choosing an air filter for your HVAC system, you have many available options.

Air Filter Types

There are four main types of HVAC filters that you can install in your system. These include fiberglass, pleated, reusable, and HEPA filters. The latter of the options provides the highest level of protection against airborne toxins. HEPA filters will remove 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. These filters are great for those who have young children, severe allergies, or respiratory conditions.

Reusable, also referred to as washable filters, can last for between 5 and 10 years. You'll need to remove the filter every few months and wash it well. Pleated filters are a step in quality below the HEPA filter. Due to its pleated design, it's capable of trapping many airborne particles. Fiberglass filters are a quality level below pleated filters and aren't capable of trapping as many airborne particles due to their flat panel design.

Comparing Prices

There is a large difference in price between the four different types of filters. Fiberglass filters are the cheapest as they offer the least amount of filtering capability. Pleated filters cost a little more than fiberglass filters and are more budget-friendly for the average homeowner.

Washable filters are relatively expensive to purchase because they can last several years. HEPA air filters are the most expensive option on the market today because they offer superior filtering ability compared to other types of filters.

Which Filter is Optimal for Your Home?

Determining the best air filter for your home comes down to assessing your needs and budget. If you or anyone in your household has a respiratory illness or severe allergies, investing in a HEPA filter can be advantageous. This will provide you with a high level of filtering that can keep your symptoms and allergies to a minimum.

The average homeowner with no severe allergies or respiratory illnesses tends to invest in a washable or pleated filter. It depends on whether you want to go through the added maintenance step of cleaning and drying out the washable filter. If your budget is thin, you may only be able to add the fiberglass filter to your budget, which is much better than not using a filter.

Call Us Today

If you need assistance with your HVAC filters, call us at Command Service Center. Let our helpful HVAC professionals help you with all of your HVAC-related needs!