Home air filters protect your HVAC system, but can be harmful if you don’t change them regularly. x 1 in. What it comes down to is a clogged filter creates an unhealthy environment. Air Filter Rating Systems. Whether it be step-by-step guides, technical consultation, or product reviews, my aim is to make all your home projects a great success! For both residential and commercial purposes, focus on the following when buying a new or replacement filter. air filter is electrostatically charged and features a pleated design for high-quality filtering. The filter will protect against bacteria, dust, mold, pollen, smoke and viruses for up to 12 months. Regular air filter replacement can lower your energy bill up to 15%. With this, you set a thermostat to the desired temperature with the furnace running until it reaches that level. Using the right type and size filter is an excellent way to cut down your energy consumption. As a result, the heating unit will run efficiently and safely. Usually toward the bottom and off to one side of the heating unit is an open slot. This Honeywell 16 in. Consequently, you use more energy. Although this article covered a lot of information, there are always people with additional questions. This filter also incredibly easy to install and come in accommodating sizes that fit all Honeywell and many of Aprilaire, Space-Gard and Trion Air Bear models. Air Filter … Otherwise, mold or mildew could grow. One important thing to remember is you need to turn either your heating unit or air conditioner on. This program is designed to help websites earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Especially with a filter capable of trapping particles as small as 0.3 microns and one with an odor-absorbing quality, you’ll enjoy a healthy environment and eliminate foul smells. During a tune-up, the expert also checks for any gas leaks, fumes, and tests the number of cycles. Pleated FPR 10 Air Filter captures a high percentage of household air particles, including those which are most harmful to your lungs. Therefore, you could order as many furnace filters you need without the added expense. At some point, people began using filters to prevent particles from blowing inside of rooms, especially after the invention of the fan system in the late 1890s. When you consider a new residential HVAC system would cost you anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000, depending on the brand and square footage of your home, you want to do everything you can to avoid the failure of your current unit. If you have a newly installed furnace, check the documentation it came with. They also help capture allergens, including pet dander and pollen. As a result, the air conditioner cannot remove heat, which leads to hot air blowing inside the house and the risk of permanent damage to the unit. In addition, because the purpose of a filter is to trap contaminants, running a unit without one puts people’s health at risk. I’m an engineer with experience in medical technology, steel and materials, and nuclear power industries. Its Elite Allergen pleated furnace filter ranks among the best. For one thing, the Filtrete Micro Allergen filter can trap air particles as small as 0.3 microns. Perhaps one of the greatest advances in furnace technology is the blower delay. x 25 in. While you can find these filters in most standard sizes, the one drawback is they cost significantly more. $ 1 25. HEPA filters work so well; they also trap pet dander, dust mite debris, mold, pollen, and bacteria. Schedule your replacement air filters to be sent to you on your time, when you need them most. x 4 in. You will benefit the most from an electric air cleaner if you use fiberglass furnace filters. Includes 2 filters ( $19.89 /filter) $39.78. As you’ll discover, this leads to a host of problems, some quite costly. You can refer to the documentation provided with a new furnace or simply look at the size of the old filter to see what you need to buy. 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Compared to washable, non-electrostatic, and fiberglass pleated 1-inch filters, this one excels. x 25 in. MERV 8 filter actual dimensions are 19.75 x 24.88 x 4.38 (in.) Whether you choose a standalone device or one that uses the ductwork, air cleaners do not kill mold spores, viruses, or bacteria. So, while you might automatically think that a high-efficiency filter is the best choice, it may not be. Apart from lasting only 30 days, there are a few additional downsides to this type of filter. Filtrete Filters 16-inch x 25-inch ... - The Home Depot Canada Made with a synthetic media, this Honeywell filter has a large surface that is perfect for blocking particles while offering little air resistance. Just as the blower forces pollutants into homes and businesses, it blows dirt and debris on the inside of the unit. Feeling a blast of cold air before the warm air is an unpleasant experience. Following are just a few examples of how far furnace designs have come. Pleated FPR 10 Air Filter captures a high percentage of household air particles, including those which are most harmful to your lungs. Electrostatic air filters are designed to be permanent (with proper maintenance). At the same time, the blowers begin to operate. $ 29 98. x 20 in. Also, never insert the newly cleaned filter back into the slot until it dries completely. Filters that The Home Depot sells have a rating system called “FPR,” which stands for Filter Protection Rating, and is exclusive to filters sold at The Home Depot. There’s one additional advantage of an electric furnace. Air Filter … The blower pushes air around that metal chamber. You can choose how much filtering you need and get a replacement air filter that’s just right for your home. Most importantly, if you fail to change it according to the recommended schedule, your furnace loses efficiency. ... Filters Fast 1" Home Air Filters Merv 8 - Case of 6 Filters Made In America. Our Review: FilberBuy has several different types of well-made furnace filters. While there’s no need to call for professional help pertaining to the filter per se, you would need an expert’s help for any problem related to a clog. See More Details. Model # DP-H1625M6PR3 Store SKU # 1000455189 Pleated furnace filter with a MERV 6 Rating. What are the Benefits of Furnace Filters? Along with a number scale ranging between 4 and 10, FPR has a color-coded system used to rate a filter’s ability to trap certain particles and its overall quality. The higher the rating number, the more particulates that get filtered. x 4.375 in. Filtrete 16x20x4, Deep Pleat AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1550, Healthy Living, 2 Pack (exact dimensions 15.68 x 19.68 x 3.81) 4.6 out of 5 stars 6,860 $59.98 $ 59 . Although an electric unit is more environmentally friendly, the cost to operate it is significantly higher. Even with a stabilized economy, you don’t want to spend a dime more than you have to on anything. Lasting up to one year, the filter works effectively against dust, dirt, and pollen while absorbing odors in your home. You can choose how much filtering you need and get a replacement air filter that’s just right for your home. All you have to do is slide the filter inside, making sure it fits snugly. The one fact easily obtained is that the original design of filters was intended to protect the blower motor found in older-style furnaces and the evaporator coil in air-conditioning units. Manufacturers of all the leading furnace filter brands agree that regardless of which one you choose, there are specific things to look for and factors that make one option better than another. 174 open jobs for Home depot store manager in Natick. Especially for individuals with upper respiratory problems like asthma, COPD, and even allergies, this wreaks havoc on the body. However, these filters can’t capture chemicals, gasses, smoke, and odors, which is why you should also use an activated carbon filter. Truck. While for an existing unit that you have no paperwork, you can always call the manufacturer. Today's tightly built homes trap dust, allergens and more, which explains why indoor air quality ranks among the top five environmental risks to public health. My goal is to take all my technical knowledge and first-hand experience and translate it into high-quality content to support all of your home guide needs. And. via The Home Depot If you … For optimal air quality and energy efficiency, be sure to change your furnace filters once per season. Thanks to technological advances, furnaces today work more efficiently from both a performance and cost perspective. Unlike an electronic cleaner you keep on all day and night, one connected with the ductwork does not work continuously. actual dimensions. If you prefer making environmentally friendly decisions, you might consider buying a reusable filter. boots. $ 9 48. Is there such a thing as a “universal” air filter? Even worse, it could damage the system. From there, the now cleaner air goes into an ionizing chamber that produces an electric charge to remove any remaining contaminants. As part of a furnace tune-up, a professional typically checks 15 different areas. It filters dust, mold, pollen, and smoke. It’s important to note that using the wrong filter in your furnace could do more harm than good. It is designed to fit most 20 in. Visit The Home Depot to buy Honeywell 14 in. A healthy home begins with cleaner air. Cents. Change your air filter at least once every 3 months. The reality is furnace filters are very high margin products that are very profitable to sell, and companies like Home Depot … MERV 2 filter with 15.81 x 24.63 x 0.88 (in.) Instead of setting your thermostat at a ridiculous level, you can enjoy a comfortable home or work environment and still run your furnace. x 25 in. They’re also available at discount retail stores like Walmart and Target. The other problem is that if you don’t replace the filter in an industrial setting, there’s a risk of people breathing in toxins. Due to static electricity generated by natural air flow electrostatic filters are also called washable filters. Along with precision craftsmanship, this furnace filter simply slides into your furnace, allowing you to install a replacement in just seconds. Created by 3M, the MPR rating, which stands for “Microparticle Performance Rating,” is a trusted source. Experts consider the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating as the industry standard. Our Review: Sold in both 4- and 5-inch sizes, this deep-pleated filter has some unique qualities. Materials matter. Although activated carbon filters are among the older types, they’re still beneficial. Sometimes, people run furnaces without a filter, which is something you want to avoid. This technology dates back to the WWII era to remove radioactive dust particles that put soldiers’ lives at risk. In that case, there’s a lack of airflow moving over the coil, making it impossible for the condensation to dissipate. If you’ve had your unit for some time, once you replace it with a more modern option, you’ll realize a stark difference. Home Depot uses the FPR (filter particle rating) system not the MERV rating system that 3M uses. Keep in mind that activated carbon filters are seldom used alone. But there’s also a washable type that lasts longer, making it more cost-effective. MERV is another rating system that’s used across the industry as a standard. MERV 12 filter actual dimensions are 15.88 x 24.88 x 4.38 (in.) That means rather than healthy air, you and other people breath in contaminated air. Therefore, they don’t offer the same level of protection as others do. The filter traps smog, bacteria, dust, debris, mold, viruses, and various other respiratory irritants. Because the filter works to trap air particles for both your furnace and air-conditioning system, a clog during the hot summer months can cause the evaporator coil to freeze. They can reduce pollen, smoke, pet dander, bacteria, dust, mold dust mites and more. Another problem that develops as a result of a clogged filter is that the blower has to work incredibly hard to force air through the medium. How do you clean a washable furnace filter? An example of its product line is the Pure Carbon, which neutralizes unpleasant odors. As for high-efficiency pleated filters, they catch even the smallest particles, which in turn drastically improves indoor air quality. The testing process is what determines the filtration effectiveness. Another development is the introduction of the variable-speed furnace. Now that you have a much better understanding of the different types of furnace filters available, you need to know how to choose one of superior quality. Truck. The 12-pleat per foot design traps 90 percent of all airborne particles, including pollen, pet dander, lint, debris, and dust. Today's tightly built homes trap dust, allergens. One more thing: Some companies, including major filter manufacturer 3M/Filtrete and major filter retailer Home Depot, use their own rating conventions (MPR by Filtrete and FPR by Home Depot… If a clogged filter damaged any internal components, replace the filter and contact a professional immediately. While you might spend slightly more, it’s worth every cent. If you want to improve indoor air quality and are not overly sensitive to allergens, dust, and debris, disposable pleated filters are a good choice. The simple act of installing a $3 furnace filter and having the unit inspected once a year is all it takes to prevent you from facing that situation. Next, blowers push the warm air through the ductwork and into the interior rooms. HEPA, the acronym for “High-Efficiency Particulate Air,” is another excellent option. The disposable type filters are a step above disposable fiberglass filters because they work better at trapping smaller particles. Popular . However, there’s one caveat: A rating above 13 could block airflow and cause backpressure in your system, which in turn, would decrease efficiency. However, this rating is only used for 3M and Filtrete brand filters, both manufactured by 3M. Because furnace filters play such a critical role in keeping indoor air clean, there’s an abundance of excellent brands. While there’s no standard size considering all the different furnaces on the market, the most popular include 15x25x1-inch, 16x20x1-inch, 16x25x1-inch, 20x20x1-inch, and 20x25x1-inch. Make sure your air quality is clean with the right air filters and get 5% off repeat purchases with our Home Depot Subscriptions delivery service. Ultimately, more contaminants filter into rooms, affecting people with allergies and upper respiratory problems. As it becomes warm, the blower forces the air into a hot plenum that moves it through the ductwork and into interior rooms. It’ll protect your HVAC system from unfiltered air making it last longer. The lowest 300 MPR is a basic option that works relatively well. The best way to accomplish that is by achieving excellent air quality through the timely replacement of a furnace filter. We pulled out some popular sizes and shapes here, but know if you search for yours, we have it. To ensure safety, the burning fuel created by combustion gases vents through a flue on the roof. That makes the unit safer not only for humans and pets but also the environment. This filter is a FPR 4 which is roughly equivalent to MERV 7. More efficient than fiberglass filters and lasts up to 12 months. However, if they’ll fit your furnace, it’s worth paying the higher price. This product has the highest FPR available, and it comes in multiple sizes to fit almost all heating units. Fiberglass filters capture large particles. Air filters work a lot harder than you think. All Rights Reserved. There’s no denying that older model furnaces make a tremendous amount of noise when operating. With the correct MERV rating and a pleated design, this furnace filter improves the efficiency of your HVAC system. Just remember, there are many additional options available. It even captures extremely small particles that can negatively affect a person’s health. The MERV is the most dependable. It’s just as important that you purchase a furnace filter in the correct size. Electrostatic filters are made from self-charging paper or cotton fibers that produce a positive charge. Which way does the filter go into the unit? About once a month, simply run both of these components through the dishwasher. An electric model also receives a signal from the thermostat. That means the unit runs smoother and without consuming as much energy. But to trap particles as small as 1 micron, you would want a furnace filter with an MPR rating of 2800. Reproduction of any part of this website without direction permission is prohibited. When a filter clogs, airflow becomes restricted. The furnace has either a pilot light or electronic ignition, which lights the burners located within the combustion chamber, causing heat to form in the heat exchanger.