When you buy air filters for your HVAC system, you have to consider the size, MERV rating, and quality—not to mention the price. Basic air filters aren’t expensive, but you get what you pay for. They are made with cheaper materials, hence the lower price, but there are some things in life that are worth a higher cost.
Buying a quality air filter will ensure you pull dust out of your home’s air, along with other pollutants. However, it comes at a higher cost. Does that mean expensive air filters are worth the money?
You may be wondering why you should spend more on air filters. Learn more about the differences beyond the price to see why.
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Why You Need Air Filters in Your Home
Air filters help remove dirt, dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, and other contaminants from the air in your home. This helps keep you and your family healthy and safe. They also keep these particles from building up on the inner workings of your HVAC system to keep it operating efficiently.
If you don’t use air filters, you run the risk of causing serious damage to this integral piece of machinery in your home. Here’s what to know about cheap vs. expensive air filters to help you decide which is best.
The Difference Between Expensive and Cheap Air Filters
Aside from the obvious price differences, there are a few things to compare between cheap and expensive air filters.
Cheap Filters Don’t Last as Long
Expensive air filters last much longer and won’t need to be replaced as often. When you consider how often you’ll need to change those cheap filters out, it may wind up being more expensive to use them.
Cheap filters are not as durable, and they don’t trap as much before they become clogged and useless. You’re better off spending a little more to buy quality air filters that will last.
Keep in mind that other factors will come into play for how often you will need to change your filters. From the climate you live in to how many pets are in your home, these things may encourage you to switch to more expensive filters. However, you will still get more longevity out of them than those cheap air filters.
Better Quality Comes at a Higher Price
Some air filters are more expensive than others because they are composed of materials that are higher in quality. These materials do a much better job of capturing dirt, dust, and other contaminants. Cheap filters can let pollutants slip by and get into your ducts and parts of your air conditioner. This means you may wind up with more repairs down the road by not properly protecting the integral parts.
Greater Surface Area on Expensive Air Filters
Air filters with a higher MERV rating will cost more than those with lower ratings. The higher this rating is, the more surface area it will have to filter your air. It’s only a few dollars more to keep dust and other pollutants out of your lungs and reduce allergens in your home. Cheaper options don’t have as many pleats and can’t keep up with better-quality filters.
Cheaper Filters Are Less Effective
Yes, it costs more to buy quality filters, but focusing on the price only winds up hurting you in the long run. It can impact your wallet down the road since cheap filters aren’t as effective. Additionally, you and your family may get sick more often with these particles floating through your air.
Why Choose Expensive Air Filters?
The differences make it clear that expensive air filters are the way to go. Cheaper air filters won’t save you much money at all.
Since they’re less effective, they can cost you much more in repairs for your HVAC system. Without being able to draw out all the particles in your air, it can leave you feeling ill, costing you more in medical bills.
The best air filter for your home will have a high MERV rating. Generally, this is somewhere between 8 and 13, but you should always check with an HVAC professional. Even though MERV 13 filters are excellent for homes, they may not be suitable for every type of system. In some cases, they could be too thick and restrict airflow, which could cause a breakdown for your unit.
You should see which MERV rating is the highest your system can use without interfering with its function. This will allow you to draw the most contaminants out of your air as possible. This will cost more than something with a MERV 1 rating, but it will be to your advantage later on.
How to Save on Better Quality Air Filters
If you want an air filter that will last longer and do a better job of cleaning the air in your home, expensive filters are the best option. However, they don’t cost as much as you think.
The key is to look for those that are made with higher-quality materials. Check to make sure the material is pleated, which means it will have a larger surface area to capture contaminants. You should then check the MERV rating and choose something that is compatible with your air conditioner or furnace while offering a high level of effectiveness.
Some people choose the name brands from the big air conditioner companies, but this isn’t entirely necessary. You can get that same quality—the expensive quality—for a lot less. This means that while you will be spending more than you would on cheap filters, you won’t be spending quite as much just to get an air filter from a name brand.
Click here to show details on top-quality air filter options for your HVAC system without having to pay expensive name-brand prices.
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