Fiberglass vs. Pleated Air Filters

29 Apr.,2024

 

Fiberglass vs. Pleated Air Filters

Homeowners don’t always know where to start when it’s time to choose an air filter. Because there are several types available at most stores, it’s easy to base your buying decision just on price alone. However, while the cheaper fiberglass air filter might seem like a smart idea for your budget, it may not always be the best choice for your home, your HVAC system, or your family’s health.

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Will it trap all the particles you need to be filtered in your home or business to improve the

To determine which is the best air filter for your home furnace or air conditioning unit, you'll need to consider a few key factors:

Not recyclable: Fiberglass is not a recyclable material, and because you must replace fiberglass filters more often, you'll be sending more trash to the landfill.

Less filtering capability: Because they don't have a lot of surface area, they don't filter out smaller items like pollen, bacteria, and viruses. This makes them a poor choice for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities.

Quality: An especially flimsy fiberglass filter can come apart in your system, causing serious damage, as well as putting any filtered debris back into the air.

Airflow: New fiberglass filters will not impede airflow. However, if you don't change your fiberglass air filter monthly, it may become clogged and impede airflow, which will create issues for your unit.

Frequency: Pleated filters can last up to 90 days before they need to be replaced, depending on the time of year and the environment in your home or business.

Catch more debris: Pleated air filters have more surface area, so they capture more – and smaller – debris. Depending on the MERV rating, they may filter out pollen, pet dander, bacteria, and some viruses. This makes a pleated air filter a much better choice for anyone with allergies, asthma, or similar sensitivities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fiberglass and Pleated Air Filters

Are fiberglass air filters safe?

Yes, for the most part, fiberglass filters are safe. But they fall short compared to pleated filters when it comes to filtering out the smaller contaminants in your air such as pollen, pet dander, and bacteria. You should also be aware that, because they don't have a lot of surface area and don't filter smaller particles out, they eventually can cause build-up and weaken your HVAC system and decrease its efficiency, which may lead to higher energy costs.

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What is a pleated filter?

A pleated filter is an air filter that is made from a pliable material – polyester, cotton, or paper – that is folded to look like an accordion and housed in a cardboard frame. The folds – or pleats – give the filter more surface area, which allows it to capture more particles.

What are pleated air filters made of?

Pleated filters can be made of paper, cotton, polyester, or other pliable materials. For example, the filter media in our MERV 13 pleated filters is made of polypropylene/acrylic fibers. This high-quality, synthetic, plastic-based material allows the filters to trap particles as small as lint, dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, fine dust, smoke, viruses, and bacteria.

Are pleated air filters better?

While fiberglass air filters will do the job in the most basic way, in most cases, pleated air filters are much better. They can filter out smaller particles – important for people with airborne sensitivities. They are less likely to clog in a short amount of time, and they can last up to 90 days. They're also recyclable in most communities, which makes them a good choice for the environmentally conscious.

My property manager says fiberglass is the only material my unit can handle. Why would that be true?

While we don't know the exact reason that your property manager would make that claim, our guess is that he's concerned about airflow through the building's ventilation system. Fiberglass filters, when changed regularly, do allow for more airflow because they have less surface area than pleated filters and allow the smaller particles to get through. However, if you don't change them every 30 days, you'll find they have the opposite effect by getting clogged and potentially harming your system.

3 Ridiculous Myths About Fiberglass Filters and Why You ...

What is a Fiberglass Filter?

Fiberglass filters are typically blue in colour and usually come in either 1 or 2 inch sizes. As the name suggests, these filters are made from continuous glass fibers. The fiberglass filter is not unlike a pleated filter, in that it is designed to filter the input of air through your home with an emphasis on removing harmful particles that cannot be seen by the naked eye. However, that is where the similarities stop.

Fiberglass filters have surged in popularity in the recent decade due to how inexpensive they are. All major big box retail stores carry them, make them very available to most homeowners across Canada. The standard MERV rating they claim to have varies between 1-4 and typically last no more than 30 days. We've seen a bunch of claims and rumours floating around out there, so we decided to address and dispel some of the more popular onesFiberglass filters are typically blue in colour and usually come in either 1 or 2 inch sizes. As the name suggests, these filters are made from continuous glass fibers. The fiberglass filter is not unlike a pleated filter, in that it is designed to filter the input of air through your home with an emphasis on removing harmful particles that cannot be seen by the naked eye. However, that is where the similarities stop.

The Difference Between a Fiberglass Filter and a Pleated Filter

Pleated filters are designed to capture smaller sized particles more efficiently and provide your home with a much higher quality of air. Although fiberglass filters are often advertised to create a better airflow through your home, this is only due to the fact that they are essentially full of holes. This, unfortunately, allows potentially harmful air contaminants to have free reign over your home. Not only this, but the easy access past your air filter can cause a build-up on your AC coils, which can result in breakdowns to your unit that could require costly repairs. As with all popular products, myths, rumours and unverified claims started to spread about fiberglass filters. Doing a little bit of digging and research will uncover some facts you ought to know before purchasing these type of filters.

3 Popular Myths About Fiberglass Filters

Whether you've heard it from your neighbors or from the"expert" at your local big box store, here are some ridiculous myths that you may have come across.

MYTH #1: Fiberglass filters are an effective filter for your home.

FACT: Fiberglass filters are inept at filtering the majority of smaller particles in the air. They claim that these filters have a MERV rating between 1 and 4. If you take a look at the  you can see that at this level, these filters wouldn't even trap common dust and debris which can be found in any average household.

MYTH #2: Fiberglass filters are better for your AC/Furnace.

FACT:  Fiberglass filters can actually put your AC/Furnace at a higher risk to the buildups that can cause breakdowns. These filters are prone to clogging up quick, which would cause your AC/furnace unit to work in overdrive to try and push air through. This could ultimately be disastrous for your HVAC system and may lead to thousands of dollars in repairs.

MYTH #3: Fiberglass filters are cost effective in the long run.

FACT:  Fiberglass filters can cost up to $5 per filter and must be changed every 30 days. We offer , and can last up to a few months.

VIDEO: Demonstration of the Difference Between a Fiberglass Filter and a Pleated Filter

Pleated filters are designed to capture smaller sized particles more efficiently and provide your home with a much higher quality of air. Although fiberglass filters are often advertised to create a better airflow through your home, this is only due to the fact thatThis, unfortunately, allows potentially harmful air contaminants to have free reign over your home. Not only this, but the easy access past your air filter can cause a build-up on your AC coils, which can result in breakdowns to your unit that could require costly repairs. As with all popular products, myths, rumours and unverified claims started to spread about fiberglass filters. Doing a little bit of digging and research will uncover some facts you ought to know before purchasing these type of filters.Whether you've heard it from your neighbors or from the"expert" at your local big box store, here are some ridiculous myths that you may have come across.Fiberglass filters are inept at filtering the majority of smaller particles in the air. They claim that these filters have a MERV rating between 1 and 4. If you take a look at theyou can see that at this level, these filters wouldn't even trap common dust and debris which can be found in any average household.Fiberglass filters can actually put your AC/Furnace at a higher risk to the buildups that can cause breakdowns. These filters are prone to clogging up quick, which would cause your AC/furnace unit to work in overdrive to try and push air through. This could ultimately be disastrous for your HVAC system and may lead to thousands of dollars in repairs.Fiberglass filters can cost up to $5 per filter and must be changed every 30 days. We offer, and can last up to a few months.

The "Cheaper" Option That Ends Up Being More Expensive

On the surface, fiberglass filters appear to be a great cost-effective option. However after doing just a bit of research, it's evident that it quite the opposite. The long-term disadvantages and risks of fiberglass filters may end up costing you more money. Not only will you be forced to replace these cheap, less than effective filter very regularly, if you forget to do so, you could be subject to a considerably higher bill if your furnace or AC breaks down. Not to mention all the potential health side effects that simple don't have an attributable dollar value. The peace of mind you will get from using a pleated filter with a will be all the reward you need when you are contemplating what type of filter you should buy for your home. Keep these facts in mind the next time you are at the store eyeing one of those inexpensive fiberglass filters. Have you ever seen these fiberglass filters before? What have you heard about them? Leave your comment below!

On the surface, fiberglass filters appear to be a great cost-effective option. However after doing just a bit of research, it's evident that it quite the opposite. The long-term disadvantages and risks of fiberglass filters may end up costing you more money. Not only will you be forced to replace these cheap, less than effective filter very regularly, if you forget to do so, you could be subject to a considerably higher bill if your furnace or AC breaks down.The peace of mind you will get from using a pleated filter with awill be all the reward you need when you are contemplating what type of filter you should buy for your home. Keep these facts in mind the next time you are at the store eyeing one of those inexpensive fiberglass filters. Have you ever seen these fiberglass filters before? What have you heard about them? Leave your comment below!

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