4 Common Types of HVAC Filters

An HVAC system comprises several elements that work together to improve indoor air quality. One of the most crucial components of HVAC equipment is the air filter. Air filters remove airborne contaminants such as pet dander, pollen, and dust from the air that enters your home. Moreover, air filters prevent large particles from entering your system, protecting it from damage.

You can install different types of filters in your HVAC system depending on your needs. This article highlights four common types of HVAC filters you can use.

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are made of tiny filaments that trap small particles. The US Health Department highly recommends this type of filter due to its ability to trap even the tiniest particles, like mold spores.

The filter removes about 99.97% of airborne pollutants from the air that passes through the HVAC equipment. Therefore, if any of your family members suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, consider installing HEPA filters in your system. Hospitals and high-tech industries can also use this type of filter in their air conditioning systems.

Nevertheless, the filters are relatively expensive. The filters' powerful filtering capabilities may also restrict airflow, reducing the efficiency of your system.

UV filters are HVAC filters that kill bacteria and viruses in the air that pass through your system using short-wave ultraviolet light. The filters also remove other contaminants from the air through germicidal radiation. For best results, use the proper UV spectrum.

Despite the numerous advantages the filters offer, they can cause health effects. The filters can convert oxygen into ozone molecules, causing chest pains or even aggravating respiratory issues like asthma when produced in high amounts.

Also, these filters are less effective at blocking out pollutants like dust. For this reason, use UV filters as a component of a larger filtration system that also contains HEPA air filters.

Pleated filters are the most popular type of HVAC filters made from polyester and cotton folded to form pleats. The pleats improve the filters' density, enhancing their ability to capture dust and other smaller particles like pollen and mold spores.

Additionally, pleats increase the filters' surface area allowing them to trap more dust. Choose pleated filters with more pleats to enhance performance. However, you need to be extra careful since a filter with too many pleats can restrict airflow.

The main disadvantage of using pleated filters is that they need regular replacement. You can often only use the filters for three months before replacing them. Buying an HVAC filter after such a short time can inconvenience you, given the high cost of pleated filters. As a result, the filters can increase your HVAC operation costs in the long run.