Media HVAC filters are special air filters designed to trap air contaminants and particles like dust, pet hair and dander, and mold spores. They come in different configurations, depending on the system they’re installed in and the level of filtration you need.
At Trilogy AC Cooling and Heating, we install a variety of media filter types in homes throughout the southern Texas area, including Katy, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Pearland, Houston, Woodlands, and other nearby communities.
If you’re not sure how to choose an HVAC filter, give us a call. We’ll help you find the perfect filter to give you excellent air quality at a reasonable price. We’ll also install it for you. We can also show installation best practices, empowering you to change your filter yourself next time.
What Is a Media Filter and How Does It Work?
A media filter is a layered filter that passes the air that moves through your HVAC system through a thin, pleated, paper-like material, which traps and removes all types of pollutants, improving your indoor air quality.
Media filters are different from your standard HVAC filters, which are loosely woven, and made to keep your ductwork clean but don’t affect the air you breathe. Single media filters have one layer, dual media have two layers, and multimedia has three or more layers. Because they’re folded over and over, some filters have up to 75 feet of media. The more layers a filter has, the smaller the particles they can trap.
Getting a media filter for your HVAC system is important, especially if you live with infants, the elderly, or anyone with respiratory issues or allergies. They provide cleaner air, allowing you to breathe easier, even if your pet sheds constantly or you live in a dry, dusty climate.
Benefits of Using a Media Filter In Your HVAC System
Media filters are excellent HVAC air quality solutions, offering benefits like:
- Filtering out allergens like pet dander from the air, improving allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing.
- Reducing the amount of dust that collects in your home.
- Catching mold spores, so you’re not inhaling them, and they can’t settle on your furniture, walls, or carpet.
- Helping alleviate respiratory symptoms and asthma by removing irritants from the air.
- Absorbing bad odors, especially when you choose a HEPA filter or a filter with a high MERV rating.
- Low maintenance filtration, as media filters only need to be changed once every 4-6 months on average.
Understanding MERV Ratings: Which One Is Right for You?
The MERV rating guide specifies that Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings are determined by the filter’s ability to capture particles measuring between 0.3 and 10 microns.
MERV ratings run from 1 to 16. The higher the rating, the better the air quality will be. The following is an incomplete list of what the different MERV levels are made to filter out of the air:
- MERV 1- MERV 4: Pollen, large textile and carpet fibers, spray paint dust, dust mites, and sanding dust.
- MERV 5 – MERV 8: Pet dander, mold spores, and some chemical sprays.
- MERV 9 – MERV 12: Fine dust, flour, welding fumes, hair spray, furniture polish, and auto-emission particles.
- MERV 13 – MERV 16: Bacteria, viruses, smoke particles, sneeze droplets, carbon dust, and cooking oil.
HEPA filters are even higher rated, filtering out over 99% of all particulates. Anything rated over 12 is used in commercial settings, and over 14 is typically used in a hospital or laboratory setting, not usually in a residential HVAC system.
How To Choose the Best Media Filter for Your Home
To choose the right MERV rating for your home, you should consider what you’re looking for in an air filter. Do you want a low-maintenance filter that gets most of the pet dander and dust, or are you looking for a more intense filter to help with your child’s asthma?
There are many types to choose from. You can schedule an in-home consultation with Trilogy AC Cooling and Heating, and we’ll help you find the right kind of filter for your needs.
Maintaining and Replacing Your Media Filter
While the filters with the highest MERV ratings filter out the most debris, they may not be the best media filter for your HVAC system because they restrict the airflow more than lower-rated filters, which could lead to damage to the heating and air conditioning system.
No matter what rating it has, you should replace your filter regularly and avoid waiting until it’s clogged. The longer you go between replacements, the harder your heater and air conditioner have to work to push air through, straining the system until it needs repairs.
Thicker filters last longer than thinner ones. In general, when the system is running every day, MERV filters rated 1-4 should be replaced every 1-2 months, MERV 5-8 filters need replacing every 3 months, and MERV 9 -11 filters need to be changed every 6 months.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Trilogy AC
Contact Trilogy AC Heating and Cooling to purchase a new media filter or to schedule service with one of our expert HVAC technicians. We’ll tune up your HVAC system, ensuring you have high-quality whole-house air filtration that works for your needs.
Whether you’re curious about upgrading your home filtration system or are having issues with your indoor air quality, our licensed, experienced team is here to help. Call today at (832) 743-1250 or book online to get started.
