When it comes to choosing a high-quality air filter, the most important factor is the MERV rating, not the brand name. Different brands offer different ranges of MERV ratings and filter sizes, so it's important to select the one that meets your needs. Quality of filter materials also plays a role in determining the life of the product and its performance. Additionally, you should look for companies that offer fast shipping and strong customer service.
K&N is a well-known brand in automotive air filters, and they also provide permanent oven filters for domestic HVAC systems. However, it's not always necessary to pay more for a better filter. The decision to do so depends on whether cleaner air is a priority for you. When it comes to buying an air filter, you can either purchase one with a number printed on an existing product or measure the size of the opening where the filter is installed to determine the nominal size of the filter you need.
There are two main types of air filters: pleated filters and long-life filters. Pleated filters are made of cotton paper or synthetic fibers and capture an extremely high percentage of large particles and a much larger number of small particles than competing filter types. Long-life filters have media (usually cotton or paper) that has been permanently charged to attract dust and other particles, and they have more surface area to extend the time between filter replacements. In general, both sources offer the right size air filter for your system, while aftermarket manufacturers, such as FilterBuy, add additional features such as odor blocking, higher MERV ratings, and easier to replace designs.
It's important to note that not all filters are manufactured equal: the quality of the filter materials determines the life of the product and the consistency of its performance. In actual use, with the air in your home constantly recirculating through the ducts and passing through the filters each time, the cumulative effect of the filters increases. On the other hand, pleated oven filters can restrict air flow to the system. Whether or not a coarser oven filter will fit in your system depends on how the cabinet is configured.
Finally, it's important to note that in most cases, an oven filter is not recyclable due to commonly used synthetic or fiberglass filter media. He later chaired the ASHRAE 52.2 committee, which regularly updates the standard to address changes in filter technology.
