Air Filters

What's the difference between an HVAC filter, a furnace filter and an AC filter? Absolutely nothing. What you call it depends on where you live. People up north might call it a furnace filter, down south an AC filter. Just know, no matter what you call it, it’s simply an air filter.

What Does an Air Filter Do? Air filters work a lot harder than you think. They can reduce pollen, smoke, pet dander, bacteria, dust, mold dust mites and more. You can choose how much filtering you need and get a replacement air filter that’s just right for your home.

Air Filter Rating Systems The Home Depot put together a rating system, FPR so you know exactly what level filtration you are getting. MERV is another rating system that’s used across the industry as a standard. The higher the rating number, the more particulates that get filtered. For example, a MERV 13 filter will trap household dust and pollen, pet dander, outdoor pollution, mold spores, microscopic allergens, bacteria, most tobacco smoke, sneeze bacteria and virus carriers.

Types of Air Filter Materials Not all types of AC filters work the same. Carbon filters, for example are porous and can get rid of odors so your indoor air remains fresh. Fiberglass filters capture large particles. They’re sturdy but rank low on the ratings scale. Electrostatic air filters or electrostatically charged air filters provide the best filtration of most contaminants and are available in disposable or reusable options. These type of filters have a large surface area with charged fibers to help capture more of the bigger and smaller particles.

Hospitals and people with sensitive respiratory ailments will benefit from a High Efficiency Particulate Air, pleated mechanical filter, known as HEPA air filters. This type of filter can remove at least 99.97%–99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. The efficiency is rated based on the worst level possible, so think about it as 99.97% or better.

What are the Benefits of Furnace Filters? Besides providing clean fresh air for your home, they can also filter harmful particulates keeping you safe from allergens and bacteria. Home air filters protect your HVAC system but can be harmful if you don’t change them regularly. Lastly, you can save money on energy bills when you replace your home air filter. Your HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard to push air through a clean filter.

Vast Selection of Home Air Filter Sizes There’s no such thing as a standard size air filter. In fact, we stock over 1500 air filters. Here are some popular sizes and below, but you can find just about any size you need online. 16x25x1 air filter 20x20x1 air filter 20x25x1 air filter 20x25x4 air filter

Schedule to Deliver Your Filters Monthly Set your air filter subscription and forget it. Make sure your air quality is clean with the right air filters and get 5% off repeat purchases with our Home Depot Subscriptions delivery service. Schedule your replacement air filters to be sent to you on your time when you need them most.