Best Disposable: Filtrete Clean Living Basic Dust Air Filter
Courtesy of Amazon
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Limited MPR 300 rating
Furnace filters catch dirt and debris that might otherwise find its way into your HVAC system, leading to part failure, dirty ducts, and worsened air quality. You should always have a furnace filter installed in your home, even if its an affordable, disposable furnace filter like the Filtrete Basic Dust and Lint Air Filter.
Designed to be quickly installed and easily disposed of after the filters 90-day lifecycle, this furnace filter captures particles between 3 and 10 microns in size. As the name suggests, the Filtrete Basic Dust and Lint Air Filter is best suited for reducing household dust, lint, and dust mite debris. It has a rather low MPR 300 rating, which means it wont capture as many microparticles as more advanced furnace filters. However, the MERV 5 rating qualifies this filter as a step-up from the most basic furnace filters available.
Size: 19.69 x 19.69 x 0.81 inches | FPR Rating: Not Available| MERV Rating: 5 | Air Filter Depth: 1 | Filter Material: Electrostatically charged filter media
Selecting The Best Furnace Filter For Allergies
One of the best ways to protect yourself from the side effects of allergies is to have a good furnace air filter. However, the best furnace air filter for allergies is up to each individual person.
Theres no singular air filter that works the best for everyone. For example, many people like to have the disposable version because they provide a higher MERV rating. In addition, youll need to consider what allergens trigger your particular allergies.
For example, some people have allergies triggered by mold spores or pet dander. First, these allergies need a filter with a higher MERV number and can filter out small microscopic organisms and dust and lint.
If you live in an area with extreme climate conditions, youll also want to consider that too. Not all filters are ideal for all climates. Do some careful research to determine if the filter you want can handle the volume of allergens and the climate you reside in before you make a purchase.
Filterbuy 16x16x1 Merv 8 Air Filter Merv 8 Pleated Hvac Air Conditioner Furnace Filters
Great Recycled Board Filter
The 16x16x1 pleated air filter is also one of the best HVAC air filters for allergies, and it is built to endure.
As a result of its 12 pleats per foot, it is capable of removing up to 90% of the airborne allergens.
A recycled board is used to make the frames, which means they will survive even in humid or hot conditions.
These air filters are non-washable and are intended to last for three months. They may be used in both the furnace and the air conditioner. For just a few bucks, you may keep your HVAC filters in place for months at a time.
For home usage, a MERV rating of 8 is great for hypoallergenic furnace filters. As a result, your indoor air quality improves, and youre able to enjoy the things to which youre allergic without having to deal with the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Pros
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A Perfectly Good Hvac Filter: Nordic Pure Merv 12
*At the time of publishing, the price was $43.
Nordic Pures MERV 12 filters are not the only products that meet all our criteria, but they are perfectly good examples, and theyre usually competitively priced and easy to find online. We like that theyre genuinely MERV-certified, because unlike the proprietary ratings used by some bigger-name brands, the MERV criteria are publicly available. Being rated MERV 12, the Nordic Pures will remove at least 35 percent of particles in the 0.3-to-1.0-micron range, which includes bacteria and smoke at least 80 percent of 1.0-to-3.0-micron particles, which include fine dust and soot and at least 90 percent of larger pollen, dust, pet hair, and lint particles. Again, MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, so this is the worst performance measured during third-party testing to the ASHRAE 52.2 standard. And again: the MERV test measures a single pass of polluted air through the filter. In your home, the air will continuously recirculate when your HVAC system is, leading to cumulatively greater filtration with each trip through the return registers.
Nordic Pure filters are mostly sold online, and the MERV 12s typically retail for a much lower price than competitorsabout $40 for a six-pack of 16-by-25-by-1-inch filters, or about $7 each . At the recommended three-month replacement cycle, a Nordic Pure can save you about $30 to $40 a year.
Two Other Filters That Should Do A Fine Job
If you cant find Nordic Pure in your size, or if you prefer to buy and pick up a new filter in a store immediately, Honeywells FPR 9 filters and Filtretes MPR 1500 filters are similar, and theyre widely available at retail. . These filters perform on a similar level as the Nordic Pure MERV 12, they are well-reviewed by many owners, they come in a wide range of sizes, and the high likelihood that theyre in stock at a nearby hardware store is a big advantage if you need one ASAP.
We dont love that neither Honeywell or Filtrete is MERV-certified, but their proprietary ratings are reportedly equivalent to MERV 11 or 12. We couldnt find pressure-drop information on the Honeywell, so thats a possible concern. The Filtretes pressure drop is 0.22 inch, fractionally lower than the Nordic Pure MERV 12s at 0.24 inch. Data Filtrete shared with us indicates the the 1500 removed 54 percent of 0.3-to-1-micron particles in its own tests, versus a minimum of 35 percent for the MERV 12-certified Nordic Pure. On larger particles, the two filters performed very similarly.
Owen also offered a simple way to judge if its time for a swap: If you can get to your filter easily, one simple thing you can do is just go take a look. If you cant see the filter media anymore, its been in there too long. Change it!
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The Microparticle Performance Rating Vs Merv Vs Fpr
The Microparticle Performance Rating or MPR is a rating scale created by Filtrete under the 3M company and it rates the filters ability to capture the smallest of airborne particles from the air .
These particles captured are microscopic, ranging in size from .3-1 micron in size.
The rating helps customers properly evaluate the ability of the Filtrete filtration. The higher the MPR rating, the better the filter is at capturing the smallest particulates.
The most common ratings for Filtrete filters are 300-1000 MPR but the top furnace filters for allergies are 1500-2800 MPR.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has a slightly different scale for filters called the MERV rating. This rating goes from 1-16, the higher the rating, the more effective the filter for .3-10 micrometers of particulate matter.
MERV 7 to 13 are almost as effective as true HEPA filters at removing allergens, with a much lower associated system and operating costs. This means that using high-quality filters can actually help your HVAC system perform with more efficiency and keep the inside of equipment from accumulating dust.
> > read my article about your bed and allergies
Filter Performance Rating is yet another rating system developed and used by Home Depot. In case you are confused about MRP vs MERV vs FPR below is a useful table from Filtersnap showing how they relate and you can change FPR to MERV.
How Do I Choose The Best Air Purifier For Asthma And Allergies
In order to look for the best air purifier for allergies and asthma, you should spot the following:
It is more powerful than your average air filter so it may have a better chance of clearing up your surroundings against particles that may trigger your allergy or asthma.
This would also be helpful if its hay fever season, where pollen counts could be massive in your area. Higher fan speed can move air much faster and thereby possibly helping you breathe better.
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Are Air Conditioners Good For Asthma
Air conditioners are nice. They keep the air cool and refreshing. They can reduce humidity and airborne triggers. The combination of these effects can improve asthma control. They can make breathing easier. But, they may also trigger asthma if not properly maintained.
So, the best A/C units will have “CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filters.” These are capable of filtering 98% of airborne allergens. Turn it on. Use the recirculate setting. You’ll feel more comfortable. Your lungs will be happier.
Us Home Filter Carries Hvac Filters To Fit All Units
No matter which HVAC system you have, every unit needs a quality filter that fits properly to keep your indoor air quality clean and your heat and AC running at its maximum efficiency. US Home Filter can supply you with the best and most efficient HVAC filters available! Changing the filter is as important as changing the oil in your car and US Home Filter makes filters that fit all AC/HVAC units. From standard to custom air filters, to whole-house filters, grille filters and humidifier filters, we have all of your filter needs covered!
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How Big Is The Area Youd Like To Filter
The amount of space in your room should also guide your selection. Check how many square feet a unit can handle when evaluating it.
You can look for the clean air delivery rate to determine how many particles and square feet an air purifier can reach. For example, HEPA filters can clean the smallest particles like tobacco smoke and medium and large particles like dust and pollen out of the air and may have a high CADR.
How Frequently Should You Run Your Air Purifier
While the amount of time that an air purifier will take to improve the air quality of a given room varies, in general, you should run your air purifier at least a few hours per day. Youll want to make sure to run your air purifier at least once per day to ensure that you benefit most from it. You could also run your air purifier 24/7 but should note that this will use more power, and you may need to replace and/or clean the air purifiers filters more often.
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Filtrete Most Popular Ac Filter
If you are looking for a more permanent filter, Trophy Air is the way to go. The electrostatic filter is 100% washable and will dry quickly. You also dont have to worry about airflow direction as this filter is bi-directional. Once you wash it and let it dry, you can put it back in place in any direction. The electrostatic filtration is completely porous so you wont block airflow with a reverse installation.
Maintenance is simple, and Trophy Air has updated their sizing availability to ensure you get the perfect fit every time.
Best Long Life: Honeywell Home Pleated Air Filter 4
Home Depot
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Lasts up to 12 months
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May not offer enough filtration for allergies
Also known as annual furnace filters, long-life furnace filters have more surface area to stretch the time between filter replacements. While many 1-inch filters need replacement every 90 days or so, a 4-inch furnace filter, like the Honeywell Home Pleated Air Filter, lasts for up to a year.
This pleated furnace filter is made with polypropylene filtration media. It has a MERV 8 rating and is electrostatically charged to attract and capture large particles such as dust and pollen, as well as smaller particles like mold, smoke, and other odor-causing particles.
Size: 19.75 x 24.88 x 4.38 inches | FPR Rating: 8 | MERV Rating: 8 | Air Filter Depth: 4 | Filter Material: Polypropylene
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Filter Kings Merv 11 Furnace Filter
Our MERV 11 furnace filters are great for anyone with allergies. Not only do they filter out more contaminants than the MERV 8 filter, but they are an affordable option. Our pleated filters work harder than the typical fiberglass filter, and you dont have to change them as often. You can go anywhere from three to five months before switching to a new filter.
And if you want to make your filters last even longer, check to see if your furnace can hold a thicker filter. We offer the standard 1-inch filter, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch options. The thicker the filter, the longer it will last between changes. If we dont carry the size you need, we offer custom filter sizes.
Regularly inspect your filter and if its visibly dirty, change it regardless of how much time has passed.
Filter King also offers MERV 10 carbon filters for those who want to combat odors and MERV 13 filters for those who need the highest levels of protection from allergens at home.
Is My Home Giving Me Allergies
Air quality matters for good health and easeful breath. Often, what folks label as persistent colds and sniffles is actually a case of allergies. Whether its seasonal allergens, such as pollen, or home allergens, such as dust, dust mites, or pet dander, there are a lot of foreign objects swirling around in the air.
Allergens accumulate naturally throughout the days, weeks, and months through no fault of the homeowner. If you have a pet, dander and fur will fly. Bits of fall goldenrod will waft in through open windows. Its all just a part of living. And living with these allergens over time can cause sensitivity, even in those who dont consider themselves to be allergy sufferers. For people with asthma, these air quality disturbances are easy to discern, and harder to manage. Thats why AC models with a focus on air purification are so helpful. Lets take a deeper dive.
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Air Purifier Buyer’s Guide
Air purifiers are handily portable devices that combine the power of an internal filter with a fan to remove unwanted particles from the air in a designated room. The freshly purified air is then circulated back into the room. An air purifier can eliminate pollutants like wildfire smoke, pet dander, dust, pollen, and other toxins in the air of a specific room. Air purifiers are the opposite of an oil diffuser or humidifier, in that they remove particles from the indoor air instead of adding particles to the air. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that particular pollutants can be anywhere from 2-5 times more concentrated indoors than outdoors. So, an air purifier is clearly a worthwhile investment.
In this guide, we review the different filter types built into air purifiers, as well as air purifiers that operate without filters and cutting-edge technology to sanitize the air. We also cover the particle removal process carried out by air purifiers, the different target pollutants of an air purifier, and the coverage, dimensions, and features of air purifiers.
When Should I Get A New Purifier
If youre finding that your air isnt as clean as youd like it to be or youve noticed an increase in allergic reactions, you might be thinking about buying a new air purifier. If this is the case, consider checking the filter first and make sure it doesnt need to be replaced.
In most air purifiers, the filter does all the work, so if its not working at its usual capacity, the filter is probably to blame and not the purifier itself. However, if the mechanical hardware like the fan, control panel, or air quality sensors breaks down, youll want to get a new purifier.
In addition, if the air purifier cant keep up in new and larger spaces, consider getting a larger purifier.
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Best Budget: Rheem Dust & Pollen High Performance Indoor Air Filter
Courtesy of Home Depot
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Wont capture small or microscopic particles
Regularly changing your filter furnace is important for maintaining air quality in your home and the efficient operation of your HVAC system. A budget furnace filter, like this option from Rheem, provides an affordable way to keep up with this important home maintenance task.
The Rheem Basic Household Pleated Air Filter is made of proprietary filter media backed by wire. It carries a MERV 8 rating and is capable of capturing contaminants like dust mites, pet dander, dust, and pollen from the air. This filter isnt the best choice for those with allergies or if youre shopping for ultrafine filtration since its only equipped to capture larger particles. However, these budget furnace filters cost only a few dollars each and require replacement every 90 days. Your best bet is to buy a pack of multiples and keep a replacement filter ready.
Size: 15.88 x 24.88 x 0.75 inches | FPR Rating: 4 | MERV Rating: 8 | Air Filter Depth: 1 | Filter Material: Not available
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