Choosing the Right Air Filter for Your Home

When it comes to keeping your home's air clean and healthy, choosing the right air filter is essential. The filter you choose should be the correct size for your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and should be able to capture a high percentage of potentially harmful airborne particles. Knowing the size of your filter, the type of filter you need, and how often to replace it are all important factors in making sure your air is clean and healthy. The size of your filter is very important. 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. To make sure you have the exact measurement, use a measuring tape and measure the height, width and depth of the filter. All the air that circulates through your HVAC system, to heat or cool your home, will eventually pass through the air filter. Air filters generally come in a range of standard sizes, with some that can be adapted to fit different size filter housings or return air vents. The best air filters trap indoor pollutants, such as dust, pet dander, and pollen, helping to clean the air in your home. It's important to know how often you need to replace your oven filter.

Most experts suggest changing the air filter at least once a month, but this may vary depending on the type of filter you purchased and the air quality in your home. Replacement costs should also be considered, but replacement is definitely a necessity for the proper operation of the filter and the efficiency of your air system. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) measures the effectiveness of an oven air filter in capturing particulate matter. It can help provide cleaner, filtered air by capturing a high percentage of potentially harmful airborne particles, such as smoke, dust, pet dander, and allergens, as the air passes through the filter. Not only is it important to choose the right air filter and change it regularly, but it is equally important to install it correctly so that the air flows properly. If you have little airflow, check the air filter since a clogged filter is one of the most common reasons.

Hannah Sawatzki
Hannah Sawatzki

Hipster-friendly pop culture maven. Hipster-friendly web practitioner. Infuriatingly humble bacon nerd. General social media fan. Hipster-friendly beer enthusiast.