home depot ac filters

Vacation house or one occupant and no pets or allergies: every 6–12 months. Ordinary suburban home without pets: every 90 days. One dog or cat: every 60 days. More than one pet or if anyone has allergies: 20–45 days.

What is the best brand of AC filter?

Other AC Filters Worth Considering
Best Overall: Honeywell Elite Allergen Pleated FPR 10 Replacement Air Filter.Best Overall: FilterBuy Gold MERV 11.Best Overall: Trophy Air Electrostatic Washable Air Filter.Best Overall: AIRx Allergy MERV 11 Pleated Filter.

Is there really a difference in AC filters?

No, HVAC air filters differ in quality and dimensions, and some have features that others don’t. In most instances we advise using the filter your HVAC manufacturer recommends pairing with your system. All filters are assigned MERV ratings, which go from 1–20.

What is the difference between HEPA and MERV?

A HEPA is the creme de la creme of air filters with an equivalent rating of a MERV 17 or higher. A HEPA filter at a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3 microns in size, but capture an even higher percentage of particles smaller or larger than that size.

What happens if you don’t change your air filter?

The air filter keeps dust and other debris from circulating through your HVAC system. If the air filter fails to do this, not only will the debris pass through and start clogging your HVAC system, but it will also end up circulating through your home along with the air that your system circulates.

How do I know if my AC filter is dirty?

One clever way to determine if the air filter is dirty is to do the “white sheet test.” This involves hanging a clean white sheet approximately 5 inches away from one of the vents for at least one hour. If the sheet turns gray, you’ve got a filthy air filter. The grayer the sheet, the dirtier the filter.

Are pleated filters better than fiberglass?

While fiberglass air filters will do the job in the most basic way, in most cases, pleated air filters are much better. They can filter out smaller particles – important for people with airborne sensitivities. They are less likely to clog in a short amount of time, and they can last up to 90 days.

Are expensive air filters worth it?

More expensive filters like Pleated Residential filters filter out dust mites, pollen, mold and pet dander and even bacteria and so are worth the money especially for those with severe allergies. HEPA filters filter bacteria and viruses and are worth the extra money for those with respiratory conditions like emphysema.

Is MERV 13 too restrictive?

MERV 13 air filters are the highest-rated air filters for home use. Any air filter with a rating higher than 13 will restrict air flow to the point of which could cause damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an added expense to fix it.

How do I know what AC filter I need?

A) Refer to the label on the filter’s frame.

The easiest way to identify your AC filter size is to remove the existing filter from its slot and examine the frame of the filter. Usually, the filter size is printed along the edge of the filter’s frame.

How do I know what air filter I need?

Check the old air filter for its size

The first (and easiest) way to figure out your furnace filter’s size is to check your old air filter for its size. Most air filters have their size printed on the side of the frame. The length, width, and depth of the filter are measured in inches.

How do I know what MERV filter to use?

MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with lower ratings denoting a lower-quality filter.
MERV 1-4 Filters: Filters with a MERV rating of 1 to 4 do little to trap harmful particles in your home’s air. MERV 5-8 Filters: MERV ratings of 5 to 8 indicate a medium-quality filter that’s sufficient for most homes.

Does MERV 13 filter Covid?

What kind of filter should I use in my home HVAC system to help protect my family from COVID-19? Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERV, reports a filter’s ability to capture particles. Filters with MERV-13 or higher ratings can trap smaller particles, including viruses.

What MERV level is HEPA?

All HEPA filters have a rating of a MERV 17 or higher. A HEPA filter with a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3-1.0 micron in size and an even better % of particles below 0.3 microns and above (HEPA filters are rated at their worst performance).

What does MERV stand for?

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERVs, report a filter’s ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (µm). This value is helpful in comparing the performance of different filters.

Why is my AC filter not getting dirty?

If the filter is not installed correctly, then the air can flow around the filter and not into it. When that happens, the filter won’t get dirty because all that air isn’t going anywhere near it.

Can Dirty air filters make you sick?

If the filter’s dirty, everything past the filter is dirty too, including the air you breathe. This pumps your home full of dust and allergens. Speaking of allergens, they can cause a number of physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, tightness in your chest, and a mess of cold symptoms you may not be able to shake.

How long can you run AC without filter?

The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short amount of time without hurting your system. That being said, running your AC without a filter for longer than 6-8 hours can cause serious damage to your AC system and significantly lower the quality of the air in your home.