An added benefit of a good boiler air filter is improved indoor air quality, which means the whole family breathes better. Good air filters can stop biological contaminants, pet dander, dirt, mold spores, and other contaminants. Cheap air filters can only stop the largest particles (sand and gravel, hair and dust). When it comes to furnace filters, the general rule for many air conditioning professionals is “the cheaper, the better”.
The main purpose of an oven filter is to prevent large particles and debris from entering the oven, which could cause damage. Fiberglass filters are just as capable of blocking these larger particles from entering the oven as pleated filters. However, some sources suggest that pleated filters can restrict air flow, making the oven or air conditioning unit work harder and increasing energy costs. If you use a washable filter, make sure to dry it before reinstalling it to avoid moisture from entering the ducts. To keep your furnace running at peak performance and to prevent possible malfunctions, it is important to change or clean your oven filter regularly.
Pleated filters don't need to be changed as often as non-pleated filters - just once every three months - and they are made of paper and polyester which filter most household particles and allergens well. Additionally, pleated filters with higher MERV ratings and more folds per inch will have the same or better airflow than those with lower MERV ratings and fewer folds.
Air conditioning systems are not designed to improve air quality in the home, and filters are essential for boilers and air conditioners to work properly.
It is important to change your home's air filters regularly before you start to see evidence that it's been a while since you changed them. A traditional forced air furnace draws air through return ducts, heats it with a heat exchanger, and, with the help of a fan, pushes warm air through a series of ducts that branch out into rooms throughout the house. The cheapest filters are made of spun fiberglass, which filters air very poorly compared to materials such as paper, cotton or polyester.They come in many standard sizes, but are generally flimsier and have lower ratings than pleated filters.
