How to Choose the Best Furnace Filters

Choosing good furnace filters and keeping them changed on a regular basis will greatly increase furnace efficiency and improve air quality in a home. The type of filter selected is not as important as making sure that furnace filters are changed often and regularly, but a variety of choices do exist. Some of the most common varieties of furnace filters include electrostatic furnace filters, pleated furnace filters, HEPA furnace filters, and activated charcoal furnace filters.

Electrostatic furnace filters hold an electrostatic charge that helps to attract dust particles and trap them in the filter so they don’t circulate as pollutants in the air inside the home. Electrostatics furnace filters allow for maximum air flow and yet still trap lots of dust. The best furnace filters do not impede air flow (for maximum furnace efficiency), but still remove contaminants and dirt (for cleaner inside air). Electrostatic furnace filters are a practical, all-purpose option and are economical too.

Pleated furnace filters work by trapping dust on the surface of the filter (instead of within the filter material itself). When dust accumulates on the surface, the air flow efficiency is reduced. By pleating the filter surface, the filter can manage more efficient air circulation while still leaving plenty of surface area to trap dirt. The more pleats, the more efficient the air flow and the less frequently the furnace filters have to be changed. Pleated furnace filters are very easy to find, reasonably priced, and work quite well, but they do need to be changed frequently to maximize efficiency.

HEPA furnace filters are good for people who have allergies to dust and/or mold, or people who are especially concerned about air quality for any other reason. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance, which simply means the filter is designed to trap as many dust and pollution particles as technologically possible. To qualify as a HEPA furnace filter, the filter must be able to trap at least 99.97% of all particles in the air or more. As might be expected, HEPA filters are more expensive than pleated or electrostatic furnace filters, but for people dealing with allergies, or for households with very young children, HEPA furnace filters can be worth the extra cost.

Activated charcoal furnace filters are especially good at absorbing smells and smoke residue, leaving the air inside the home smelling and feeling fresh and clean without the need to resort to air freshening sprays or candles. Like HEPA filters, activated charcoal furnace filters also cost a bit more than electrostatic or pleated furnace filters, but they are a great choice for homes that include a cigarette smoker, since they do help remove the smell of cigarette smoke and the dirty residue cigarettes generate. They are also a good choice for homes with pets and pet odor issues. Activated charcoal furnace filters are made from a filter material that contains millions of ‘pores’ surrounded by charcoal particles. The charcoal removes odors remarkably well while the pores allow for good air flow.

Whichever furnace filter is chosen, it is important to make sure that a filter is changed regularly, especially during high-use winter months when forced air heat can distribute lots of irritating dust and mold into the air. Some furnace filters (such as HEPA filters) can even cut down on colds and flu by keeping the particulate matter circulating inside the home to a bare minimum.