Pleated Furnace Filters

Pleated Furnace Filers

Pleated air filters for your furnace or air conditioner are among the most common filters used by home owners today. According to a web poll taken at www.furnacefiltercare.com 48 percent of all HVAC filters used by home owners are pleated panel filters.

One of the reasons pleated air filters are so popular is cost. They are affordable and available at most hardware stores. If you require a special size to fit you heating or cooling unit most of online retailers are more than happy to provide custom sizes.

Pleated furnace filters and air conditioner filers are available in standard 1 and 2 inch thicknesses and also 4, 5 and 6 inches thick. The thicker the filter is the longer it will last before it must be replaced. Typical 1 and 2 inch types should be changed every one to three months, depending on how efficient they are. Higher efficiency filters collect dust faster than less efficient types.

The most inefficient of these filters have a Merv matings of around 5 and the most efficient have a MERV 12 rating. Some of the more efficient types of pleated filters incorporate an electrostatic charge in the filter material to get the high MERV rating.

HEPA air filters, although not called pleated filters, use the pleated design and there are no obvious ways to tell the difference. These filters are 99.97 % efficient, have more pleats and use a more efficient filter material than standard pleated filers.

There is quite a bit of information out there through Internet sites, your local yellow pages phone book, or even from advertisements or word of mouth for the variety of furnace filters available. Once you become a homeowner, or even a renter of a new home, it is imperative that you use a furnace filter that is not only healthy for you and your family, but also cost-effective.

Regular maintenance such as overall cleaning and replacing the air filter for your furnace is essential for preventing your furnace or air conditioner from breaking down due to a build-up of dust particles in the fan motor. With a small charge for replacement of your filter, you can potentially avoid the higher cost of a repair bill later.

There are a number of benefits for your home when you make the decision to choose a pleated furnace filter. These pleated filters are made from material that is folded into pleats and is available in a number of depth sizes such as 1, 2, 4, 5 and even 6 inches deep. The most common sizes for air conditioners and furnaces are either a 1 or 2-inch depth.

By having a filter that is folded into pleats, it increases the entire surface area of the filter and helps extend the life of the filter. Just as any other furnace filter, you will want to monitor these pleated furnace filters for any blockage and change them regularly according to the manufacturer's directions.

The assortment of types of pleated air filters can be confusing for some consumers as to the quality and efficiency for your furnace operation. There are some pleated air filters that contain a wire mesh on one side of the filter in order to help maintain the shape and not collapse after time from air passing through it continuously. There are some higher-efficiency filters that do not have this wire mesh since the material that they are manufactured with is strong enough to withstand usage over time.

Electrostatic pleated air filters are a high-end furnace filter and are typically more efficient in removing allergens and dust particles from the air as it passes through your duct system. If you suffer from allergies then this type of filter is recommended for you, but for those who don't worry about household dust or allergens, then a cheaper pleated air filter will do.

For those who are environmentally conscience, you can avoid replacing disposable pleated furnace filters with a lifetime electrostatic air filter that just requires regular cleaning. For some consumers, not only is this a better choice for the environment, but also eliminates the hassle of going out and replacing these filters when the time arrives. If purchasing one of these filters is in your budget then it can be an easier decision to make than trying to choose a quality disposable pleated furnace filter for your home.