Are Carrier Air Filters Universal?

If you are looking for an air filter for your HVAC system, you may have come across the name Carrier. It is a top brand that makes filters of many different types and sizes, but one size of Carrier air filter does not fit all. However, there are air filters made for Carrier HVAC systems that will work with other air conditioning systems. There are also other filters comparable to Carrier filters that will work in a Carrier HVAC system. 

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What are the differences among air filters?

There are several different types of air filters that you can buy for your HVAC system. It is best to select the type of air filter the manufacturer recommends. If you don’t know what kind of filter they recommend, you should go to a website that sells filters and enter the filter specs.

The first thing you will need to know is what size of air filter your system requires. You should be able to find the size on the filter frame. If you cannot find it, you can always use a ruler to measure the dimensions of the filter. Contact a customer service representative of an online filter company and ask for their assistance if you still need help. 

Air filters are made from different materials. The kind of materials you select will determine the price of the filter and how often you will need to change it.

What is a MERV rating?

MERV is an acronym for minimum efficiency reporting value. It measures a filter’s ability to remove debris, particulate matter, and pollutants from the air. The higher an air filter’s rating, the better it will clean the air in a home; the higher-end filters have better MERV ratings. It is helpful to understand a little more about the different filters that are available.

Fiberglass Filters

Fiberglass filters are made from spun glass. They are blue and about an inch thick.  They are the least expensive type of filter, but they do not have a very high MERV rating. 

Fiberglass filters have a MERV rating of four or five, so they will only remove the larger particles from the air in your home. You will have to change fiberglass filters every month you use your air conditioner.

 Fiberglass filters are not particularly good for the environment because of the frequency with which they need to be replaced. If you suffer from allergies, they will offer little protection from the small particles and pet dander that can cause an allergy attack. 

Although a fiberglass filter will not be hard on an air conditioner’s motor, if you fail to change the filter when it is dirty, you will end up hurting your air conditioner in the long run. That is because the system will have to work harder to push air through a dirty filter.

Pleated Filter

Pleats increase a filter’s surface area for better filtering. The more pleats a filter has, the better it will trap dirt. Pleated filters are made out of cotton or polyester and are able to trap small particles and pollutants, including mold spores and pet dander. The added bonus of pleated filters is that they can muffle the sound of an air conditioner’s fan.

Unfortunately, pleated filters pull a lot of air out of the HVAC system, making the system lose its energy efficiency. They have a MERV rating of around seven or eight. They are priced higher than fiberglass filters, even though they are basically the next class up. You need to change pleated filters about every 90 days.

HEPA Filters

You can remove 99% of the debris in your home with this high-end filter. High-efficiency particulate air filters have the US Department of Health’s seal of approval. They have a 16 MERV rating, and they can remove the tiniest pollutants from the air. 

 They are more expensive than other filters but will last longer. HEPA filters sometimes need to be installed by a contractor, so you might have to add labor costs when you purchase them. However, they are not particularly effective at fighting mold and will do nothing to filter out gases and odors. You have to replace them about every 12 months. 

Clean air should always be a priority. If you have clean filters in your home, the air will be cleaner, and the environment will be more relaxing. You deserve a clean, quiet place to come home to at night, and air filters can make that happen For more information, visit the website of a filter company today.

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