How to Choose Air Conditioner Filters

Shopping for air conditioner filters can be an unbelievably difficult and time consuming process. Most people just buy whatever random filter they find at the grocery store without ever stopping to thing about it, and those who do are lost in the mire of air conditioner filters of various brands without knowing where to turn. If you look on the internet, you are immediately diverted to sales pages with little-to-no information about the actual products they are selling.

So how do you choose the air conditioner filters which are right for you and your family? The answer is simpler than you might think- just look at the MERV number. What’s a MERV number, you ask? The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) is essentially an indicator of the filter’s performance. The MERV numbers range from 1 being the lowest to 13 being the highest. The higher the MERV number, the greater the ability of the filter to trap particles. The high MERV filters contain denser combinations of materials that are better at trapping smaller particles than less dense materials.

So why don’t we all just run out and buy MERV 13 air conditioner filters and don’t think another thing about it? Because (confusingly), air conditioner filters are like car engines, in that they are all rated for different filters. Just like you wouldn’t put diesel fuel into a racecar engine, you don’t want to put a MERV 13 air conditioner filter into a unit which is only designed to accept a MERV 9. This could cause serious problems and ruin your air conditioner. It is important to read the literature associated with your air conditioner to determine the highest possible MERV number that the air conditioner will accept, and put that air conditioner filter in it.

Additionally, extremely high rated air filters are expensive, and are really not essential for most normal households. Unless you have children with severe allergies, or pets with excessive dander and shedding, you can probably forgo an expensive, pleated, allergen reducing synthetic filter and go with one of the more basic ones.

Another great thing to look for in air conditioner filters is one which is antimicrobial. Bacteria which would ordinarily be drawn in by the system and be recirculated through your house potentially making you sick are trapped in the filter. This can be a great option for people with lowered immune systems, older people, or people who are just prone to sickness in general.

I hope this has given you some thoughts to start with. Thanks for reading my air conditioner filters blog!