What Is A Pleated Air Filter?

It is necessary for every human to be able to breathe clean and healthy air so that their living space will be able to become more comfortable. Air filters are a vital part of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system also called HVAC for short. These filters work like a shield to protect you against harmful airborne particles by capturing pollutants like dust, dirt, pollens, and allergens. This makes sure that the air that is circulating inside your living space is safe and healthy for you and everyone around you to breathe.

It not only provides you with better air quality but can also protect your HVAC system from damage that can be caused by the collection of debris. It can enhance energy efficiency and decrease the risk of spending money on costly repairs. An air filter is extremely important for people who are suffering from health diseases like allergies, asthma, or any other type of respiratory illness. There are many different types of air filters available and each and every one of them is designed to meet specific needs by offering their performance. In this article, you will learn about pleated air filters, how they work, their advantages, different types of pleated filters, and tips for choosing the right filter for you.

What Are Pleated Air Filters?

A pleated air filter is a type of filter that is designed to work with an HVAC system so that you can get better air quality by capturing all kinds of contaminants in the air like dust mites, allergens, hair and fur of your pets and other types of airborne particles. It is called pleated filters because of its pleated design in which the fabrics or the materials are folded in a way to increase the surface area. When a filter has a larger surface area it allows the filter to be more effective in trapping the particles and maintaining proper airflow in your HVAC system. These filters are highly durable as they are built by using synthetic materials, cotton, or polyester blends. All of these are designed specifically to catch even the smallest of airborne particles. Pleated air filters can be more effective in comparison to flat-panel air filters. One of the best qualities of pleated air filters is that they can last for a much longer time so you do not need to worry about frequent replacements.

How Do Pleated Air Filters Function?

Pleated air filters function quite efficiently in capturing all the harmful contaminants in the air that pass through your HVAC systems. The complete process of filtration starts when the air is pulled into the system and goes through the materials of the filter. This process helps remove dust, dirt, pollen, and even pet dander. The fibers in the filter allow it to clean the air and circulate it back into your living space. The pleats in the pleated air filter play an important role in the whole process. The folding material increases the area and catches more particles to make sure that your HVAC system is working efficiently. This filter provides you with superior performance and maintains a healthy indoor environment.

Advantages Of Using Pleated Air Filters

There are multiple benefits of using pleated air filters which makes it quite a popular choice among people to use it in their home or office. The unique design of pleated air filters offers you several uses making them an excellent investment. Below you see some of the most popular advantages of pleated air filters.

• Improved Air Quality: The pleated air filter's major purpose is to remove all the contaminants like allergens, pollen, and dust from the air and provide you with great indoor air quality. People who are suffering from respiratory health issues or allergy issues will benefit from this filter.
• Enhance HVAC System Performance: This air filter is quite well-known for trapping pollutants and preventing dirt and debris from building up in the HVAC system. This quality helps in maintaining smooth operations and decreases the chance of getting damaged.
• Longer Lifespan: The amazing and unique design of pleated air filters lowers the need for replacement and offers you a longer lifespan. This quality helps you save money while keeping effective filtration.
• Environment-Friendly Option: There are many pleated air filters that are manufactured using recyclable materials. This makes it an eco-friendly choice in comparison to other kinds of disposable flat-panel filters.

Different Types Of Pleated Air Filters

There are different types of Pleated air filters available in the market and each one of them has a different lifespan, material, and efficiency in filtration. They can be divided into major categories of pleated filters one is disposable and the other one is reusable filter.

Disposable Pleated Air Filters: It is the most common type of pleated air filters and are designed to be used for only one time. When this filter reaches the end of its lifespan then you need to replace it with a new one. Disposable pleated filters are mostly built by using polyester, fiberglass, and other synthetic materials which makes it a a cost-effective option for maintaining the quality of the indoor air. These pleated air filters can be found in various types of MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings.

Reusable Pleated Air Filters: These pleated air filters are not like disposable filters and can be reused multiple times after cleaning. This type of air filter is also called a washable air filter. They are made by using highly durable materials like aluminum or high-quality polyester. Because of using these materials, the filters are able to withstand regular cleaning without losing efficiency. Reusable pleated air filters are considered environment-friendly options as they create less waste and help you save money from frequent replacement.

Tips For Choosing The Right Pleated Air Filter

Before you head out to buy a pleated air filter it is important that you choose the right one to maintain good air quality and make sure that your HVAC system is working efficiently. Below you will see some valuable tips that will help you select the perfect pleated air filter for you.

• MERV Rating: When you are looking for a pleated air filter it is important that you always check for its MERV ratings. The ratings display the ability to filter or trap polluted particles. When the MERV ratings are higher then it means that the filter will be able to capture even the tiniest of particles like bacteria and some kinds of viruses. For standard residential use, an air filter with a MERV rating between 8 to 11 is considered acceptable. However, if you have pets, kids, or people with allergies or asthma then you should consider an air filter with MERV rating in between 12 to 16.
• Size Of Air Filter: It is important that you choose the right air filter size for your HVAC system. This will make sure that you have proper airflow and will be able to provide you with proper filtration. There are multiple sizes of air filters available in the market, so it is best that you check the dimensions of your current filter. You can take reference by checking the system manual to know about the right size. If you choose the wrong size air filter then it will not be able to filter the air properly which will lead to bad air quality and can also increase the chances of damaging your HVAC system.
• HVAC Compatibility: It is essential that you remember that not all pleated air filters can be compatible with all HVAC systems. So, before you make the purchase you should check the specifications of your system to make sure that the filter will be able to fit and operate properly. There are certain systems that require specific types of air filters and some of them need to have some amount of thickness or frame materials. In addition, you need to be sure that the filter will be able to allow you proper airflow without putting any unnecessary load on your HVAC system.

Conclusion

Here, you have gained complete knowledge about what pleated air filters are, how they function, and the numerous advantages like better air quality, improved HVAC performance, and longer lifespan that you get from using pleated air filters. You also learned about different types of pleated air filters and learned some valuable tips that will help you buy a pleated air filter. All of this information will help you pick the right pleated air filter for you and help you to have better air quality and fresh air to breathe in your living space making it more comfortable.

If you are looking for a high-quality air filter to improve your indoor air quality then we at Custom Filters Direct can help you. We have some of the best air filters that are custom-designed to trap harmful pollutants and offer you superior performance and an amazing lifespan. There are a wide variety of options available for you with all kinds of MERV ratings. Visit our website to shop or contact us at 877-958-5612 or send us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com. Find your perfect filter for your space.

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