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07.10.2024
Brooke Kirshne
The problem of climate change is increasing in this world and is caused by deforestation, industrialization, and other factors. This problem is also causing temperature fluctuation inside homes and in this modern world people are spending most of their time indoors. To manage the temperature of a house during cold weather a furnace comes in handy. The furnace is part of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, it helps to provide a warm indoor temperature by controlling the temperature of air.
The furnace consumes the cooled air from a room and changes its temperature with the help of a heat exchanger and then blows it to the entire and other places inside a house. A furnace filter is one of the most crucial parts of a furnace because it removes airborne particles from the air while the furnace consumes it. Due to the furnace filter people inside a home get clean and warm air. The cost of a furnace filter can vary and it is caused by many reasons. In this blog, readers will get full detailed knowledge about the factors that determine furnace filter cost.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Furnace Filter?
The cost of a furnace filter can vary from $5 to $60 and this price is caused due to many factors like quality, size, requirements, and many more. The lowest price of a furnace can go up to $5 to $15 and the price of a filter that provides a moderate to high level of filtration will cost around $20 to $60 and sometimes more. The average cost of a filter can change if someone wants to buy a filter that helps them with their health issues related to poor air quality. So before buying a furnace filter, individuals should know what type of air filtration is required in their living or workplace.
Factors That Determine Furnace Filter Cost
A furnace filter price varies due to many factors and to know which filter is required in a person’s house understanding these factors is very important. By learning these factors people will be able to decide what furnace filter suits best for their home’s needs. So here are key factors that determine furnace filter cost:
1. Types Of Furnace Filters
The type of furnace filter is one of the major factors that impact the filter’s price. Many filters are available on the market and each of them has different abilities for air filtration. So here are some of the best furnace filters and their prices:
- HEPA Filters: HEPA filters are a type of mechanical furnace filter and the word HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. The price of these filters ranges from $30 to $60 or more depending on the brand and the size of the filter. The cost of a HEPA filter is high because of its filtration ability which removes almost 99.97% of airborne particles.
- Pleated Filters: Pleated filters are one of the most used furnace filters in residential and commercial places. The cost of a pleated filter usually ranges from $10 to $30 but this price can vary due to quality and design. These filters get their name because of their pleated design which is made of cotton or paper that is folded into a small series of pleats that increase its surface area for more air filtration.
- Fiberglass Filters: A fiberglass filter is one of the most budget-friendly furnace filters available on the market. The cost of these filters ranges from $5 to $15 which makes them an affordable option for furnace filters. These filters are made of woven glass and designed in a way that it doesn’t restrict airflow which makes the furnace work smoothly without giving any extra load to its components.
- Electrostatic Filters: The furnace filters that use static electricity for capturing airborne particles are known as electrostatic filters. Usually, the price of these filters ranges between $15 and $50 but some high-quality electrostatic filters can cost more. This type of furnace filter is made of polypropylene or aluminum which helps to create electrical charge for the filtration process.
2. MERV Rating
One of the main factors that influence the price of a furnace filter is MERV ratings. The word MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value which is a rating system created by ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) in 1987. This rating system ranks a filter according to the size of the airborne particle-removing ability. The size of particles is measured in micrometers (microns) and the ratings range from 1 to 20. So here are the categories of MERV ratings and their prices:
- Low MERV Ratings (1-4): This is the lowest category of MERV ratings and the furnace filters that fall in this category can only remove large airborne particles that have a size of more than 10 microns. The price of filters that have MERV ratings of this category ranges from $5 to $10.
- Moderate MERV Ratings (5-8): The furnace filters that have MERV ratings ranging between 5 and 8 provide decent air filtration. These filters capture particles of size 3.0 to 10 microns effectively. The cost of these MERV-rated filters ranges between $10 and $20.
- High MERV Ratings (9-12): The cost of furnace filters that fall in this MERV rating category ranges between $20 and $40. These filters can efficiently remove particles of size 1.0 to 3.0 microns which include pet dander, mold spores, bacteria, etc.
- Highest MERV Ratings (13-16+): The MERV filters that have ratings between 13 and 16 or more remove particles of size 0.3 to 1.0 microns effectively and some high-rated furnace filters capture particles even smaller than 0.3 microns. The cost of these filters ranges between $40 and $60 but some filters can go up to $100 also.
3. Filter Size And Thickness
The size and thickness of a furnace filter also have an impact on the cost of the filter. Every furnace’s filter slot is different so manufacturers create filters with various sizes and thicknesses. The price of every furnace filter differs so understanding sizes and thickness is important. So here is the detailed information about the furnace filter’s sizes and thickness that determine the filter:
- Standard Sizes: The cost of standard-size furnace filters can also vary due to factors like type and efficiency. The prices usually range between $10 and $30 for a standard-sized filter. A pleated or fiberglass filter that has a standard size can have a price range of up to $5 to $20. Standard-size filters that have high-efficiency filtration capabilities like HEPA filters or high MERV-rated pleated or electrostatic filters can have a price range from $15 to $60.
- Custom Sizes: The price of a custom-sized filter can be a little more expensive than the standard-sized filters. People can choose the filter’s material, size, and efficiency and that makes the custom-made filters price high. The cost of a customized fiberglass filter can range between $10 and $40. Filters like HEPA that are customized according to the buyer can have a price range of up to $50 to $150.
- Thick Filters: The thickness of a furnace filter is one of the key factors that determine furnace filter cost. Furnace filters that are 4 to 5 inches thicker than the standard 1-inch thick filters are more costly because a thicker filter provides more air filtration. The price of a 4 to 5-inch thick furnace filter ranges between $20 to $50 but the price can be higher when the filter offers more air filtration efficiency.
4. Lifespan And Maintenance Costs
The lifespan and maintenance are some of the factors that determine furnace filter cost. Filters that have a short life can affect the budget of many people because the filter will need frequent replacement. Some furnace filters are available on the market that require monthly maintenance. Here are some of the key lifespan and maintenance factors of a furnace filter that impact cost:
- Disposable Filters: Disposable filters like pleated and electrostatic filters are commonly used indoors and the lifespan of these filters is between 1 and 3 months. The cost of these filters ranges from $10 to $40 which is less than other filters but the main problem with them is that they need to be replaced regularly. Purchasing a filter frequently can be difficult for some people. So individuals who are not able to spend on a furnace filter monthly basis should avoid purchasing a disposable filter.
- Washable Filters: Washable filters are those filters that can be washed and reused. These filters have a lifespan of around 5 to 10 years and only need to be washed every 1 to 3 months. The price of a washable filter ranges between $20 and $60 which may be expensive for some individuals. The MERV ratings of these filters are very low and they are available only in MERV 1 to 4 ratings. So people who are looking for a furnace filter that doesn’t need to be replaced for a long time and provides decent air filtration should invest in a washable filter.
- Long-Life Filters: Furnace filters that have a long lifespan of up to 6 to 12 months or more can be expensive. Filters like HEPA usually have a life between 6 months and 3 years but these filters have high prices because of their high filtration ability. The price can range up to $30 to $60 and sometimes $100 or more. So people who are looking for a filter that doesn’t need frequent replacement, provides high filtration efficiency and requires investment once every 6 to 12 months should buy a furnace filter that has a long life.
5. Seasonal Price Fluctuations
The price of furnace filters changes according to season because the use of furnaces becomes frequent or less frequent when there is a seasonal change. So here are the seasonal factors that determine furnace filter cost:
- High-Demand Seasons: Regions where people face cold and low-temperature environments regularly are the places where people will use their furnaces regularly to keep their indoor environment warm. So the demand for furnace filters in these areas during the winter season will increase because frequent use of furnaces will cause frequent replacement of filters. So the price of furnace filters in cold regions during the winter season increases because of the high demand.
- Off-Season Purchases: During the summer season people will use their furnaces less frequently which will decrease the use of furnace filters. The demand for the filter will decrease during hot weather and individuals should take advantage of this situation. In the off-season, the price of furnace filters will decrease due to low demand and because of this purchasing filters in bulk will provide discounts. So buying a furnace filter in the off-season will be budget-friendly and solve the requirement for a filter during the winter season.
6. Material Quality
The material quality of a furnace filter is one of the major factors that determine furnace filter cost because each type of filter material’s filtration efficiency and lifespan differs. Polypropylene is a form of fiberglass that is used in most filters because of its durability, affordability, and effective filtration ability. This material is usually used in pleated filters and due to this, these filters have high surface area and particle capture efficiency. Filters like HEPA that have longer life are also made of a type of fiberglass called borosilicate glass fiber which provides air filtration from fine airborne particles and due to this the price of HEPA filters and other high-efficiency filters are high.
7. Special Features
The cost of some furnace filters differs from other filters because of the special features provided by these filters. There are some filters available on the market for the furnace that are made especially for eliminating airborne allergens, bacteria, and viruses. For example, an activated carbon filter is one of the best filter options that removes VOCs (volatile organic compounds), odors, and some gasses that are harmful to health. Some filters can easily capture particles like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, etc. which helps to relieve people who are highly allergic to these particles.
Conclusion
A cold or low-temperature indoor environment can become a problem for people who are living in cold regions or facing extreme winter seasons. To fix this issue a furnace was created so that it can help to make the indoor environment temperature warmer. One of the main components of a furnace is a filter that helps to remove airborne particles like dust, debris, pollen, etc. These particles decrease the quality of indoor air and make it unhealthy for many individuals. However, the cost of a furnace filter is a major thing to concern because many factors determine furnace filter cost. Factors like the type of filter, MERV ratings, filter size and thickness, seasonal price fluctuations, and many more affect the cost of furnace filters.
By learning about these factors individuals can easily identify when and what filter they should choose for completing their air filtration needs. The price of a filter also affects the material it is made of, for example, filters that are made from polypropylene are very affordable furnace filters. So trying to find a filter that is customized and has high MERV ratings then don’t worry because Custom Filters Direct is here. We provide filters that are affordable and customized according to our customers' requirements, for more detail contact us at (877) 556-2862 today!
