When it comes to selecting an air filter, having a variety of alternatives might make the process more difficult than anticipated. The majority of customers, however, are faced with a choice between fiberglass and pleated air filters.

Cost and air quality are the two most significant aspects; homeowners want their filters to efficiently regulate air quality without costing a lot. Fiberglass filters are the less expensive alternative, but choosing filters merely based on their initial cost does not ensure good air quality in your house.

In this article, we will provide you with all the information you should know before making a decision.

What Do You Have to Consider When Deciding?

You’ll need to evaluate a few essential aspects to figure out which air filter is ideal for your house furnace or air conditioning unit:

  • Cost: How does the filter’s price fit into your budget?
  • Frequency: How regularly do you need to change it?
  • Quality: Is the filter’s structure well-made? What is the composition of the material?
  • MERV rating: Will it capture all of the particles that need to be filtered in your house or company to enhance indoor air quality?

Comparing Pleated and Fiberglass Air Filters

Pleated Air Filters

Pleated air filters are formed from pleated sheets of cotton, paper, or polyester, which enhance their surface area. They are initially more expensive than fiberglass filters, yet they are the better choice for residential air filters for the following reasons:

  • Pleated air filters, with MERV values ranging from 7 to 13, improve overall air quality. Their bigger surface area collects more debris and pollutants, such as pollen and pet dander, in addition to dirt, dust, and larger allergen debris than fiberglass filters. Because of this, pleated filters are ideal for people who suffer from allergies or respiratory difficulties.
  • They don’t require as much replacement as fiberglass filters. Pleated air filters last around 90 days before they need to be replaced and there are a variety of filters for sale, so when we take that into account, they don’t turn out to be that expensive. Plus, pleated air filters may be recycled after use, making them a more environmentally friendly option than fiberglass filters.

Fiberglass Air Filters

Spun glass is wrapped in a cardboard frame to create fiberglass filters. Fiberglass filters are frequently marketed as being inexpensive due to the low cost of the materials used in their construction. These filters are available for as little as $1. Fiberglass air filters, on the other hand, have several disadvantages that must be addressed.

  • What you pay for is what you get. While fiberglass air filters are less expensive, they do not catch nearly as many particles as pleated air filters. They only take up bigger contaminants like lint or dust that are typical in household air. Smaller particles, such as animal dander, smoke, and pathogens, are not filtered as well since the material is more porous. Fiberglass air filters generally have a MERV value of 2-3 on a scale of 1-20.
  • Filters made of fiberglass must be updated more frequently. Because of their tiny surface area, they can’t contain as many particles as pleated filters and must be replaced every month. As a result, fiberglass filters might be more expensive in the long term due to the increased number of filters purchased.
  • Fiberglass filters are made of non-recyclable and non-biodegradable materials.

Pleated filters are more expensive than fiberglass filters because of their advantages, ranging from $5 to $20 per filter, though the advantages of pleated filters significantly exceed the disadvantages. Additionally, when purchasing pleated filters, there are simple methods to save money on each filter. Purchasing in bulk is a smart way to save money.

Fiberglass Air Filters

Are Fiberglass Air Filters Safe?

Fiberglass filters are, for the most part, safe. When it comes to filtering out tiny pollutants in the air, such as pollen, pet dander, and germs, they fall short of pleated filters. You should also be aware that, because they have a tiny surface area and don’t filter out smaller particles, they can ultimately create build-up and weaken your HVAC system, resulting in lower efficiency and greater energy expenditures.

Factors to Consider

You will need a filter with a MERV rating that is appropriate for your needs, depending on factors such as the number of children in your house, whether or not you have pets, and whether or not you smoke indoors.

After that, change your pleated air filter every three months to guarantee it continues to keep out the nasty things (and about twice as often for fiberglass filters).
Pleated filters outperform fiberglass filters in nearly every area due to their efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. We hope we made your way to having clean and healthy air in your home easier with this article!

Categorized in: