Pleated Filters: Why They Are So Effective

Choosing the right type of furnace filter for your home should be an easy decision, but there are so many choices out there that it is anything but. The most common types of air filters include fiberglass, deep media and pleated filters. There are other types available but they are generally used in high volume and commercial or industrial systems and are not designed for residential use.

The best filters to use for your residential HVAC system are the pleated variety. These filters have more surface area than any other choice. This expanded surface area allows them to trap more dust particles and allergens on the surface of the filter than either fiberglass or deep media filters. This significantly reduces the number of air pollutants that make it through the filter into the blower motor and heating coil areas. Fiberglass and deep media filters allow particles to penetrate the surface of the filter and try to trap them inside multiple layers of filtration media. This media is more porous than the cotton, polyester and blended materials used in pleated filters.

Because pleated filters are surface based, they can incorporate active carbon filter material behind the surface layer for the added benefit of odor removal. They are also able to be infused with electrostatic properties that help to catch even more dust and debris for better air quality.

Pleated filters are available in many MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings from 5 to 16. The higher the MERV rating is, the more effective the filter will be at removing allergens from the air and providing premium air quality in your home. These filters are the choice of most industry experts because of their durability, availability, cost and effectiveness. There simply isn’t a more cost effective way to filter air coming into your HVAC system.

For more information about pleated furnace filters, contact the professionals at Air-Tro Inc.We’ve been a top HVAC service handling the Greater Los Angeles area, including all of L.A. and Orange Counties, as well as the Riverside and San Bernardino County metros since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Los Angeles, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about pleated air filters and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

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