In our experience, concern about the detachment of filters, for example, from glass fiber fragments, is usually not a major problem. The cardboard frames of fiberglass filters bend easily, which can cause the filter to collapse on itself. Although they need to be replaced more frequently than pleated filters, the actual filtering efficiency of an air filter should not be estimated solely based on the diameter of the fiber. This is because the filter design includes more than just the diameter, such as the location of the fiber, the randomness, the average diameter of the remaining opening, the total thickness of the filter, the electrostatic properties of the filter, and other variables.
For instance, whether or not the filter has a gasket or if it avoids a large amount of air around the filter itself. Operating a heating and cooling system without an air filter can damage its internal coils. Therefore, it is important to choose an air filter with a MERV rating that fits your needs. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a standard that measures the amount of fine particles suspended in the air that air filters can trap. A MERV rating of 1 to 4 is generally enough to remove larger particles from the air, such as pet hair, dust bunnies, and cheerleaders.
However, they are not effective at preventing harmful particles from infiltrating your oven and lungs. On the other hand, MERV 11 air filters can remove even finer particles, including bacteria-sized particles along with mold spores and car fumes. It is also important to maintain your air filter properly in order to keep the air flow as it should be without risking damage to your internal coils. This means that an air filter with a MERV rating of 8 or higher can get dirty more quickly. But it also means spending less money cleaning your oven, less time cleaning furniture, and fewer doctor visits if someone in your household has allergies.
Not only can it help new buildings qualify for LEED certification, but it's also recommended for homes with babies, elderly people, people with severe allergies, and smokers because of its ability to remove harmful particles from the air. To ensure that your return air filter is installed correctly and to learn more about what happens if it is improperly installed, consult an experienced air conditioning service technician. They will be able to diagnose certain faults or common defects in air conditioning systems.
