Are Expensive Air Filters Worth It?

07.11.2024

Brooke Kirshne

Many HVAC users may wonder whether expensive filters are worth it. People get often confused when they go to find a perfect air filter for their HVAC system because they don’t know which filter will fulfill their need for improved indoor air quality. Whether it is the most expensive air filter or the most cost-effective air filter, without understanding the difference between these two buying a filter is not a wise decision. An air filter not only provides a clean indoor atmosphere but there are also important functions of an HVAC filter.

Learning about the benefits of expensive air filters will guide filter buyers to make better decisions regarding choosing a filter. On the other hand, knowing about the disadvantages of an air filter will help HVAC users compare advantages and disadvantages which will allow them a perfect filter for their homes or workplaces. Readers who are trying to find answers related to expensive and cheap HVAC filters will find this comprehensive blog very helpful.

Why Are Air Filters Required?

Air filters are a very important thing that is required by every type of indoor space whether it is residential or commercial buildings. Poor indoor air quality can cause many harmful effects like health issues and an uncomfortable indoor atmosphere and an air filter fixes these problems very easily. The requirement for air filters has increased these days because people have become more health conscious than ever now. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, house and commercial property owners don’t want to take any risk of getting infected by viruses like the coronavirus.

Advantages Of Expensive Air Filters

Expensive HVAC filters have many advantages that will help you to create a high-quality indoor atmosphere pretty easily. Air filters like pleated, HEPA, or any other high MERV-rated filters are some of the most expensive air filters available on the market. For those who don’t know what MERV is, it is an air filter rating that tells how efficient an air filter is. These filters may have higher costs but by learning their advantages you will understand why many HVAC experts recommend them.

1. Remove Allergens

Removing allergens from indoor spaces like offices, houses, or hospitals is one of the main advantages of an expensive air filter. Allergens are substances that can go airborne and cause allergic reactions in some people which include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, etc. Pollen, mold spores, dust, dust mites, etc. are some of the common allergens that can be found easily in indoor spaces. Your body reacts to these substances because your immune system sees them as a threat and reacts to them. Expensive air filters are very efficient at capturing allergens because of their unique design which is specially made for eliminating small airborne particles.

2. Long Lifespan

A major benefit of expensive air filters is that they have a long lifespan which means once they are installed inside your HVAC system they can last for a long time. These filters have a huge life because they are made of high-quality and durable materials like polyester, polypropylene, synthetic fibers, cotton, etc. These air filters are constructed in a way so they can have a large surface area for air filtration and this prevents clogging on the filter as a result its life increases. You may find out that many high-cost filters have advanced filtration technology which helps them prevent mold growth and allows better filtration.

3. Provide Comfortable Environment

A comfortable indoor environment is important for anyone whether they live inside their home or work in their office. If the indoor space doesn’t have a comfortable atmosphere then productivity, sleep cycle, and overall lifestyle will be affected poorly. Are you one of those people? Then an expensive air filter will help you to solve this issue. When poor air enters your respiratory system you may feel difficulty breathing which creates an uncomfortable indoor environment. Costly filters like pleated filters eliminate around 90% of airborne pollutants from an indoor space effectively and due to this, you’ll get an indoor atmosphere where you can live or work comfortably.

4. Protects HVAC Unit

Your HVAC unit is always in danger of being damaged by airborne particles that are present in poor indoor air. One of the great benefits of using expensive air filters is they protect against any unnecessary damage to your HVAC system that can be caused by poor air. Large airborne particles like dust and debris get inside an HVAC unit then its inner components start working improperly and become vulnerable. If this thing happens for a longer period then the system will get damaged and in the worst case, you may have to change your whole HVAC unit. This is the main reason experts recommend high-quality air filters for both residential and commercial spaces so your HVAC system always stays protected.

Disadvantages Of Expensive Air Filters

In the above section, you have learned about the benefits of expensive air filters but unfortunately, these filters also have some disadvantages too. Understanding them will help you to decide whether you should buy a costly HVAC filter or not.

1. High Airflow Resistance

High airflow resistance is the primary disadvantage of an expensive filter. The pressure put on air while passing through a medium is known as airflow resistance. Filters like HEPA are very thick, which is the reason indoor air faces difficulty while passing through them. This makes the HVAC units work harder so they can provide proper air ventilation and temperature control to the indoor environment.

2. High Compatibility Requirements

As you know expensive air filters provide high air filtration efficiency but this comes with the cost of high compatibility. This means you may require an HVAC system that is compatible with the costly air filter. There are many criteria that decide whether both air filters and HVAC units are compatible with each other or not. The size and thickness are some of the main factors that decide whether an air filter will support the system or not. Usually, highly efficient air filters are thicker which may cause difficulty while you are installing a filter.

3. More Replacement Cost

The main disadvantage of expensive air filters you may face is high replacement costs which means regular changing HVAC filters will become expensive. High-cost filters indeed have longer lifespans but on average you have to buy a new filter every 3 to 6 months. Many of you may not be able to afford to spend a lot of money regularly. Buying an expensive filter in bulk is a great way to save some money but many people can’t do that too.

Thinking whether expensive air filters are worth it or not? The simple answer to your query is yes they are worth it. Individuals who want a highly efficient filter should go for the expensive ones. These filters capture around 90% or more of pollutants from the air in any type of indoor space whether it is commercial or residential. If you want an air filter that is durable and lasts long then buying costly filters like a pleated filter is a wise decision. They will not only protect your HVAC system but also prevent you from having health issues caused by poor air.

When Expensive Air Filters Not Worth It?

Well, the above section is telling you that expensive filters are worth it but there are some conditions that make them unworthy. Washable air filters are very costly and if you are looking for an air filter that provides effective air filtration then these filters are not worth it. A washable filter has the advantage of a longer lifespan around 5 to 10 years but it doesn’t provide effective filtration. These filters can capture large airborne particles only that have a size of more than 10 micrometers.

Those who know about MERV rating also know how important it is for their air filters. This ratings system ranges from 1 to 20 and 20 is the highest. Expensive filters most of the time have high ratings but that doesn’t mean you should always spend money on high-rated filters. Many HVAC systems may not support higher MERV ratings so in this case purchasing a high-cost filter isn’t worth it.

Difference Between Cheap And Expensive Air Filters

Aspects	Expensive Air Filters	Cheap Air Filters
Filtration Efficiency	Highly efficient in indoor air filtration and removes 90% or more airborne pollutants.	Less efficient in air filtration and can remove only large airborne particles.
Lifespan	These filters have longer lifespans and often last 3 to 6 months, sometimes up to 12 months.	These filters have a very short life and last only 30 days or less.
Particles Removal	Removes small particles like bacteria, mold spores, viruses, dust mites, etc.	Eliminates only large-size particles like heavy dust, carpet fibers, and pet hairs.
Types	HEPA filters, pleated filters, electrostatic filters, etc.	Fiberglass filters and other disposable air filters.
Compatibility	Compatible with highly efficient HVAC systems.	Supports standard HVAC systems.
Airflow Resistance	These filters have high airflow resistance.	These filters have low airflow resistance.
Durability	Highly durable because of high-quality materials.	Not durable due to the use of low-quality materials.
MERV Ratings	Have ratings ranging from 8 to 16 or more.	Lower ratings range between 1 and 8.

Conclusion

For many HVAC users choosing expensive air filters is worth it because these filters provide many advantages. Costly filters like pleated and HEPA have high air filtration efficiency and they last up to 3 to 6 months and sometimes a year or more. High durability is one of the primary advantages of these filters. Home and office owners who are suffering from allergies caused by poor air should invest in these filters. They can remove allergens, bacteria, and viruses effectively from indoor spaces. All of these advantages come at a price of some disadvantages.

High airflow resistance is one of the drawbacks of these filters which can make some HVAC units less energy efficient. Due to these filters' high cost, replacing them regularly may not be affordable for some people. Some expensive filters like washable filters are not worth buying because they can provide only basic air filtration. Finding a perfect air filter that fulfills your air filtration needs can be difficult but not in the watch of Custom Filters Direct. Contact us today at (877) 556-2862 to get your desired air filter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Main Difference Between Expensive And Cheaper Air Filters?

Air filtration efficiency is one of the main differences between expensive and cheaper air filters. The expensive ones are made from high-quality materials and have a dense structure that provides effective filtration. Cheaper air filters are made from low-quality materials because they provide only basic air filtration.

Do Expensive Air Filters Last Longer Than Cheaper Ones?

Yes, expensive air filters do last longer than cheaper ones because they are from durable materials like polypropylene and polyester. Cheap air filters are usually made from nondurable materials like woven or spun glass.

How Often Should I Replace An Expensive Air Filter Compared To A Regular One?

Replacement of an expensive air filter depends on its type. For example, HEPA filters need a new replacement every 6 to 12 months or sometimes more than a year. Less costly filters like fiberglass filters require new replacement within 30 days.

Can High-End Air Filters Help Reduce Allergies Or Asthma Symptoms?

Yes, high-end air filters help to reduce allergies or asthma symptoms because they remove allergens like dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mites, etc. from indoor air. This happens because most high-end air filters can remove around 90% of airborne pollutants efficiently.

Do I Need An Expensive Air Filter If I Don’t Have Pets Or Allergies?

Whether you need an expensive air filter or not you don’t have pets or allergies depending on some factors. If you have a high budget then you should purchase a costly filter. Indoor air quality requirements are also a factor that clarifies whether you need a costly filter or not.

How Do Expensive Air Filters Affect HVAC Performance And Energy Costs?

These filters increase your HVAC system’s performance by providing it with clean air that makes its components work smoothly. Expensive filters may increase energy costs for some HVAC systems because of high airflow resistance.

Are Expensive Air Filters Better At Removing Bacteria And Viruses?

Yes, they are efficient at removing bacteria and viruses because expensive filters have a thick structure that captures most of the airborne pollutants including viruses and bacteria. Pleated, HEPA and electrostatic filters are some of the best filter types that remove small pollutants from the indoor atmosphere.

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