When it comes to air filters, thicker may not always be better. While thicker air filters tend to last longer because they have more square feet to capture and retain air particles, they can also cause your air conditioner unit to work harder than it needs to. A good reference point to follow when considering MERV ratings is that if it is higher than 13, the folds are most likely too thick for the filter. It's easy to dismiss the higher energy bills in South Carolina as a sign of the times.
However, an incorrect air filter can reduce air conditioning efficiency and increase heating and cooling costs. If the filter is too dense, the heater or air conditioner may have to run longer to counteract the increase in air resistance. A filter that is too small allows contaminants to build up on critical components, affecting performance. The right filter will improve your health and comfort without having to pay your utility bills through the roof. Most air filters are 1 inch thick, but some systems can accommodate filters 2 to 5 inches thick.
In our tests, we found that the thicker the filter, the better it works and the longer the replacement intervals. This means it's better for you and your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Using an improperly sized air filter won't necessarily damage your HVAC system, at least not immediately. However, it has an impact. Using the wrong size reduces the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
This can add up quickly and become a more obvious problem that you're likely to notice on your next utility bill. Virtually any HVAC professional will tell you that thicker filters work better than common 1-inch oven filters. HEPA filters substantially restrict airflow and must be combined with appropriate modifications to the HVAC system or used in stand-alone portable units. Air filters generally come in a variety of standard sizes, and some can be adapted to fit different sizes of filter boxes or air return openings. Consider all air filter considerations when buying a filter, make sure you understand the MERV and know the best practices for maintaining your filters. This is important because the concentration of air pollutants inside your home can be two to five times higher than the concentrations normally found outside. The biggest concern when using an improperly sized air filter is that it may not effectively prevent dust from accumulating on the motors and blowers in your HVAC system.
The combination of a thin air filter with a high MERV rate can also restrict airflow to the point of hampering efficiency and causing excessive wear and tear. Changing them every three months could save some money, however, these filters are flimsy and run the risk of dust seeping into the air conditioning device. Knowing the environmental factors in your home and neighborhood that may affect your oven filter will help you determine how often you should change your filters. For more information on individual products that use filters, such as air purifiers, room air conditioners and dehumidifiers, see their specific buying guides. This makes the oven dirty, which could affect its performance or damage the internal components of the system, leading to costly repairs or replacements. A 1-inch filter with less surface space will clog up fairly quickly and will need to be replaced long before a thicker filter. If you're considering a thicker air filter to improve air quality, it may be best to focus on the MERV rating. The MERV rating is basically a measure of how well the filter captures particles in the size range of 0.3 to 10 microns.
This would cause dirt to build up on coils and motors and, over time, the cost of repairs could be higher than what would be saved by using cheap filters. In conclusion, when choosing an air filter, it's important to consider all factors such as MERV rating, size, thickness and environmental factors in order to ensure optimal performance of your HVAC system without having to pay through the roof for energy bills.
