Types of HVAC Filters

When it comes time to change your filter, it’s just “plug and play,” right? Well, not exactly. There are actually tons of filter types out there, and choosing the right one for your Greater Lehigh Valley home might mean the difference between air conditioning comfort, and air conditioning repair! Jack Lehr Heating, Cooling & Electric, we’re all about bringing you the absolute best service we can provide! We’ve been bringing superior quality air conditioning solutions to our Pennsylvania patrons for years, and we guarantee excellent service with every visit. But if there’s anything that’s more important to us than superior service, it’s the safety and comfort of our consumers!

Looking for air conditioning repair for your Allentown, PA home? Contact Jack Lehr today!

Types of Filters for your HVAC System

Let’s just for a second ignore the fact that reusable or “cleanable” HVAC filters exist. Now if we’re talking replaceable filters, like the majority of us have, there are plenty of filter types to discuss. But first off, let’s talk about MERV…

What is the MERV Rating?

Many years ago, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers established a rating system to determine the energy-efficiency and effectiveness of individual filters. This rating system takes into account energy-efficiency, air-quality effectiveness, and the impact of your filter on home health.

So you might assume the higher the MERV, the better the filter, right? Unfortunately, it’s not quite that cut and dry. Many filter types (HEPA, for instance) are impractical or downright unusable for central and heat pump air conditioning. This is because they, frankly, filter too much and constrict air flow, causing a variety of issues that result in air conditioner repair.

What Types of Filters are There?

With the MERV business out of the way, let’s talk materials and types:

• Fiberglass air filters. These are the most common filter type you’ll see in any given home or apartment. They do a serviceable job at filtering large particles and maintaining your system, but have no impact whatsoever (or at least a negligible one) on air quality. These are often chosen for simplicity, or because of the sheer low-cost involved in utilizing them.
• Pleated, or polyester filters. While a bit pricier, these filters boast a considerably higher MERV rating (while still being residential system friendly), and will have a noticeable impact on the cleanliness and air quality of your home.
• HEPA filters. While HEPA filters provide some of the best air quality control and HVAC safety available, they are entirely impractical for residential use. Using a HEPA in your central system is more likely to break something important, and will actually drastically reduce the quality of comfort and cooling in your home. These are generally seen used in large industrial facilities.

Looking for superior air conditioning repair solutions in the Greater Lehigh Valley? Call on Jack Lehr Heating, Cooling & Electric today!