Can a Furnace Filter be Too Restrictive? An Expert's Guide

Opinions vary widely on the subject, but all professionals agree that a good HVAC air filter is necessary for their home because they have seen all the problems that an incorrect type of air filter can create in a home's HVAC system. Burned motors and controls, clogged coils, motors and blowers, and higher energy costs are all potential issues that can arise from using the wrong type of air filter. When it comes to air filters, size matters. If your system only fits a 1- or 2-inch filter, a high MERV rating could be harmful.

A 1-inch filter with less surface space will clog up fairly quickly and will need to be replaced long before a thicker filter. The combination of a thin air filter with a high MERV rate can also restrict airflow to the point of hampering efficiency and causing excessive wear and tear. You can check the effectiveness of your air filter by reviewing its Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating. Values range from 1 (lowest possible filtration) to 20 (highest possible filtration). Simply put, the higher an air filter's MERV rating, the less dust particles and contaminants can pass through it and vice versa. MERV ratings may lead you to believe that high-efficiency air filters are the way to go.

However, sometimes they can work so well that they make your HVAC system less efficient because they block air flow too much. This increases energy bills and could damage the oven if it overheats. What is the best air filter for your home? One that removes most pollutants from the air, but allows your HVAC system to do its job effortlessly. Learn more about the four main types of air filters and which one is best for your home. If the filter is too dirty or too tough, it can cause airflow problems that impair efficiency and performance. To determine resistance, filters use the MERV classification system.

In short, the higher the MERV rating, the stronger the filter will be. The MERV classification is essential to finding the right oven filter for your home. Using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high is as bad as using one that is too low. Air filters with higher MERV values may filter more, but the thickness of the filter material may restrict air flow. Restricted airflow can decrease comfort, increase energy use, and accelerate wear and tear on HVAC components.

In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. Generally, a filter with a higher MERV rating will reduce airflow. However, there are many other factors at play, such as the size of the filter and the type of fan motor in your air conditioning system. A deeper depth can also improve the life and efficiency of the filter; they also make it easier for air to enter and exit the filter. MERV 11 air filters are a little more expensive than a standard filter, but paying a few dollars more per filter is usually worth it because of the added efficiency. Simply put, the higher the MERV rating of an air filter, the less dust particles and contaminants can pass through it and vice versa. At the same time, a thicker filter is less restrictive and will allow a better flow of purified air.

The HVAC system may have difficulty getting air through the air filter and using more energy on its attempts. If you're trying to choose between a MERV 8 air filter and a MERV 11 air filter, here's what you need to know. The wire mesh also helps prevent the air filter from collapsing when air circulates through the filter and the HVAC system. Filters for central HVAC systems are often the primary form of particulate removal in residential and commercial buildings.

Visit a large store and head to the oven filter aisle: you have dozens, sometimes a hundred or more, options in front of you. If your family doesn't have respiratory problems, a lower filter such as a 7 will save you some money on your energy bill. A better MERV filter should be used on the recommendation of your HVAC system supplier and professionals. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America assumes that the pressure drop across a filter is 0.10 inches.

Changing them every three months could save some money; however these filters are flimsy and run the risk of dust seeping into the air conditioning device...