With so many air filter options, it can be confusing to figure out which air filter to choose. Many people have their favorites, but we are here to 'clear' the air on whether a fiberglass 'throw-away' air filter or pleated air filter is best for you. When determining which filter is right for you and your needs you might consider price, changeout frequency, air flow/restriction, construction quality, and MERV rating/efficiency.
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Fiberglass Panel Filter
Pleated Synthetic Filter
Cost
Approx. $3-$5
Approx. $5-$15
Replacement Frequency
Up to 30 days
Up to 90 days
Air Flow
Non-Restrictive
Slightly Restrictive
Quality
Flimsy and Porous
Sturdy and Durable
Dust Loading Capacity
Flat Porous Media: Low dust holding capacity
Pleated Media: High dust holding capacity
MERV Rating and Efficiency
MERV 4-5 (less filtering ability)
MERV 8-13 (effectively stops and traps air containments from recirculating)
Let's begin with fiberglass panel filters. Fiberglass filters are often referred to as 'throwaway' or 'disposable' filters because they typically last no longer than 30 days. These panel filters use either a spun glass media or a non-woven fiberglass media, with a flimsy cardboard frame and can be found in most hardware stores for a few dollars. The main argument with users of the fiberglass filters is that it will save you money, but keep in mind that you'll have to replace these filters monthly (if not more frequently depending on how highly trafficked your environment is) and you'll get what you pay for. Another reason many people opt for these filters is because they provide the least amount of airflow resistance for an HVAC system.
However, with this ease of airflow comes lower quality air filtration. Fiberglass filters have a very low MERV rating between 2-3 efficiency. A MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is the standard rating system for measuring an air filter's overall effectiveness at trapping air pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the finer the particles the filter can trap and block from recirculating back into the air. A MERV rating between 6-13 is recommended for residential use and 5-16 MERV for commercial environments. Fiberglass air filters have media that is loosely woven with a low MERV rating, which means many air pollutants pass through the filter sending the allergens and particulates back into the circulating air.
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While not the cheapest option, pleated air filters provide superior air filtration to fiberglass panel filters. Manufactured using a premium pleated synthetic fiber media, these filters allow for an increased surface area to capture more airborne pollutants. Additionally, these filters are reinforced with an expanded metal backing and heavy-duty frame. Pleated AC/furnace filters are available in an 8-13 MERV rating and can last up to 90 days without requiring a filter changeout. Although some older HVAC systems may be strained and experience less airflow with pleated filters, most HVAC systems today have had advancements so that the performance is unaffected by pleated filters. The synthetic media used in these filters effectively traps and blocks smaller sized air particles better than fiberglass filters, keeping your environment's air free of pollutants and allergens longer.
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What is a pleated filter?
A pleated filter is an air filter that is manufactured using a synthetic fiber media that is pleated into an accordion or pleat style pattern to create more surface area to hold dust and debris that is filtered. The synthetic media is reinforced with an expanded metal backing and is housed in a heavy-duty die-cut beverage board frame.
What are pleated filters made of?
Pleated filters are made using a premium synthetic fiber media that effectively traps fine dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, bacteria and more. The media is adhered to expanded metal backing for additional structure and support during use. The frame is made of heavy-duty beverage board that ensures the filter's integrity even in high humidity environments.
Want more information on fiberglass mesh filter? Feel free to contact us.
Are fiberglass filters safe?
Yes, fiberglass filters are safe. However, they are not as durable as pleated filters and if they are not replaced frequently, they run the risk of falling apart and damaging your HVAC unit. Because fiberglass filters are panel filters, they have a low dust holding capacity and are not able to filter fine air pollutants like dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses.
Are pleated air filters better?
While fiberglass filters work, pleated filters do an overall better job at filtering and trapping common small airborne pollutants and contaminates. Pleated filters also have a longer service life (up to 90 days) and have a higher dust holding capacity.
We test HVAC filters in an isolated room with its own air circulation duct, cut off from the rest of our building's heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. The temperature and humidity are controlled, and we clean the air in the room prior to each test. Then we inject two substances into the room: a mixture of dust in various particle sizes, and smoke from standardized research cigarettes.
Once the air quality gets as bad as we need it to be for our test, we turn on the air circulation in the room and use a particle analyzer to measure how quickly the filter reduces the particle count. We also monitor how much each filter restricts airflow, using a differential pressure transducer installed across the air filter.
Our top-rated models are fantastic at capturing pollutants while allowing enough air to flow through to keep your heating and cooling system running optimally. The worst models capture very little pollution or significantly restrict airflow'or sometimes both.
We also calculate the annual costs of replacement filters, assuming that your system needs only a single filter, and based on the manufacturer's recommendation for when to change them. Keep in mind that prices may vary by retailer and that it may be cheaper if you buy filters in bulk.
The industry standard for an HVAC filter's performance is measured according to the MERV scale (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value'rolls off the tongue!), from MERV 1 through MERV 16. Some sources have claimed that the scale reaches MERV 20, but the testing standard has been updated to clarify that MERV 16 is the maximum.
At the low end of the scale, the filters are made from fiberglass or mesh, and can capture large particles like hair, fibers from clothes and carpets, and some pollen. Disposable fiberglass filters can cost just $2 each.
As the rating increases, the filters can progressively capture smaller particles'and they tend to cost more. Around MERV 8, filter designs typically switch to pleated media (nonwoven material made of things like fiberglass paper, polyester, and plastic), and can reliably capture pollen, mold spores, and many types of household dust.
At MERV 13'the highest rating you'll find for most of the popular residential HVAC filter sizes'you can count on the filter to stop bacteria, smoke, and other microscopic particles. These filters can cost $40 or more.
Most home improvement stores sell HVAC filters ranging from MERV 1 to MERV 13, though CR has tested models as high as MERV 16. But some filters with midrange and higher MERV ratings might cause problems in residential HVAC systems. (More on that later.)
Some filter brands and retailers use alternative scales, like Home Depot's Air Filter Performance Rating (FPR) system or MPR (on 3M Filtrete air filters). But the MERV rating will also be printed on the packaging or in the online product descriptions.
Many manufacturers also say their HVAC filters are 'allergen' filters (or something similar). But these are usually just filters with a rating of at least MERV 11, the rating where filters begin to catch the majority of particles that are the size of common allergens. There's nothing uniquely anti-allergenic about these filters, and other filters with the same MERV rating should capture allergens just as well.
This typically means first finding your existing filter (or filters). HVAC filters are often located in a slot next to your furnace or air handler. But some HVAC systems have filters inside the return air ducts scattered in multiple rooms throughout your home. (Those are the grates that suck air back in, rather than blowing air out.)
Once you've found each filter, make sure it's the proper size, measured in inches of length, width, and depth (or thickness). If there are gaps around the sides or it doesn't line up with any gaskets, it might be the wrong size. If your existing filters are a perfect fit, write down (or take a picture of) the size printed on the filter frame. When in doubt, check for the proper filter dimensions in your equipment's owner's manual, or get in touch with the manufacturer.
You'll often find an exact fit in stock at a hardware store, but sometimes you'll need to order the correct filter size online. (And if you're reading this from the filter aisle at the hardware store, don't bother trying to guess the size'there are at least a dozen common dimensions, and you're likely to choose incorrectly.)
Take particular note of the thickness because it will affect the next decision you have to make (in step 2). Most residential HVAC filters are 1 inch thick, but 4-inch filters are becoming common, too.
Any pleated HVAC filter can improve your home's indoor air quality by snagging dust, pollen, and other small particles'sort of like a quieter, more passive vacuum cleaner.
But a filter that's too dense for your setup can make it harder to heat and cool your home effectively and efficiently. It might also damage your furnace, AC, or heat pump over time as parts overheat or freeze solid.
A filter that's unnecessarily loose isn't great, either. It's a missed opportunity to breathe cleaner air'and it also could damage your HVAC equipment over time as gunk accumulates on the blower and coils.
So the right amount of filtration is about finding the sweet spot: a filter that allows ample airflow through your ducts while capturing as much debris as possible.
Remember how we said to take particular note of your filter's thickness, which will usually be 1 inch or 4 inches? This is where that detail becomes important, because it might affect how much filtration your system can handle.
1 inch thick: These can be tricky to shop for, according to many HVAC professionals, because 1-inch filters with high MERV ratings are especially likely to be too restrictive for some HVAC systems.
Nevertheless, CR has tested several 1-inch, high-MERV filters (MERV 11 and up) that earn a very good rating on our airflow test (that's like scoring a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5). They tend to be pretty expensive, though. Models that earn the highest rating on our airflow test also tend to have lower MERV ratings, and cost less, though they don't perform as well on our particle-capture tests. CR members can see the top performers in our full air filter ratings.
If you want to be certain about how much airflow your HVAC system requires to function properly, you'll need to measure the static pressure. (Basically, that's the resistance to airflow in your ducts, based on a handful of factors.)
A qualified technician with basic tools of the trade can take the measurement in a couple of minutes'for example, when they're already at your home performing a system tuneup'and advise you on how to pick filters that will work well with your equipment.
If you can't take a measurement, experts sometimes recommend sticking with a MERV 8 pleated filter as a safe-harbor option. Filters with this rating allow plenty of airflow, so they'll be safe for most systems. They also don't cost much, and they catch a lot more debris than basic fiberglass filters can.
4 inches thick (or greater): If you already have a filter cabinet that can handle a filter of this thickness, you can feel confident that even a high-MERV filter will work well with your HVAC system.
The secret is that they can capture tons of debris while using relatively porous filter material, thanks to the huge surface area that dirty air has to pass over'about four times as much filter media as on a 1-inch filter. A MERV 13 is a great choice at this size, delivering excellent air quality for a reasonable price.
If you currently have 1-inch filters, you could consider upgrading your system to accommodate 4-inch filters. Your HVAC pro would install a small cabinet next to your furnace or air handler (on the air-intake side) to hold the thicker filter. The work should cost only hundreds (not thousands) of dollars.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of fiberglass filter for steel. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.