Not sure what type of furnace filter to buy? Here’s a handy guide to help you out!
Here’s what you should be looking at:
- Filter size. Close enough is not good enough. Look at your existing filter, measure the filter space, or look on the stickers outside your filter to find the measurements you need.
- Filter thickness. Most filters are between one and five inches thick. While thicker filters generally offer more filtration, some furnaces may not be compatible with them. If you have compatibility questions, give us a call and we’ll help you get the answers you need.
- Filter pleating. The more pleats, or folds, that a filter has, the more surface area there is available for catching air contaminants and the better chance there is that even the smallest contaminants will get caught.
- Filter rating. Every furnace filter you buy should have a MERV rating printed on the packaging. This tells you how well the filter will remove particles and contaminants. In general, higher MERV ratings mean cleaner air. Most households want filters with a MERV rating of at least 10, though people with allergies and asthma may want to go higher. Make sure your furnace is designed for the more efficient filters, though, or you can overwork the system!
As always, feel free to reach out to us at Larry & Sons if you need help choosing a furnace filter. We’ll make sure you get one that will keep your air clean and your HVAC system running well.
