Cleaning is often considered to be the biggest downside of using an electrostatic filter. They don't need to be thrown away, but they do need to be cleaned periodically. When deciding between pleated and fiberglass electrostatic furnace filters, it's important to consider your individual needs and priorities. If you're looking for an affordable option with minimal maintenance, fiberglass filters may be the right choice.
However, if you need higher-efficiency filtration, better allergen protection, and a longer lifespan, pleated electrostatic furnace filters are a better investment. By understanding the differences between these types of filters, you'll be able to make an informed decision to ensure cleaner air and a more comfortable living environment. It can be hard to remember to change your air filter on time when there are so many other things on your to-do list. An expert in domestic air filtration can provide valuable insight into topics such as HVAC filters, filtration efficiency, and indoor air quality. An effective air filter combines filtration efficiency with airflow to create a product that effectively removes particles from the air, but doesn't create an unnecessary burden on the HVAC engine by blocking the passage of air.
Reducing the lifespan of an air conditioning system as a result of using a low-quality filter will end up costing much more in the long run than the additional cost of buying a pleated filter every three months. Pleated air filters are now made of synthetic materials with smaller individual fibers, wound in a way that maximizes airflow and filter efficiency. Compared to basic filters available, medium-efficiency MERV filters, such as the Nordic Pure MERV 12, can significantly reduce airborne dust, mold spores, pollen and even smoke, and this can help alleviate respiratory diseases according to an NIH study. These are installed on wall-mounted return air vents (more common in the south) or on the air handler (more common in the Mid-Atlantic and Northern states, where the air handler is often placed in the basement, near the oven). So which of these varieties is best for your home? Well, since we just said “you get what you pay for”, you can probably guess that pleated air filters are better. Fiberglass filters are at the far end of that spectrum and offer airflow close to the maximum, in exchange for virtually zero filtering efficiency. Pleated filters and their effective filtration avoid this problem by minimizing the amount of contaminants that can adhere to the evaporator coils, while garbage filters that let through virtually anything make you more prone to them. If used in real world conditions, where air is constantly recirculated through ducts and passes through filters each time, the cumulative effect of pleated filters increases.
This is an epidemic in the air conditioning industry, and the easiest way for a technician to solve this problem is to recommend an air filter that doesn't trap enough contaminants to clog the system if it's never changed. In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between electrostatic or washable 16 x 25 x 1air filters over traditional fiberglass filters for your furnace or HVAC system, it is important to consider your specific needs and priorities. If you're looking for an affordable option with minimal maintenance, fiberglass filters may be right for you. However, if you need higher-efficiency filtration, better allergen protection, and a longer lifespan, pleated electrostatic furnace filters are a better investment.
