William Skipper and Derek Cole break down residential HVAC filters from basic MERV 1 options to a powered microPowerGuard unit that approximates MERV 14 using a 24V charge. Higher efficiency filters catch more particles but restrict airflow, and the powered unit lasts 3 to 4 months before replacement.
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Hello and welcome to the Comfort Experts. I'm William Skipper along with Derek Cole. And today we're going to talk about air filtration and some solutions that can help you with your air filtration issues. First, we're going to start off with your big box store every day filter. This is a MER1 filter. And Derek, can you give us some benefits of this MER1 filter?
So the way they rate filters is by MERV rating. So when it says MER1 we're talking about the lowest scale possible. And this is pretty much what this is. This gives you great airflow. I mean your system needs to breathe and this provides it for you. But it's not stopping anything from but chickens and dogs and cats from getting in your heating air. Okay. I mean it's not stopping the particles that are causing the problem. So, so the MERV1 filter, I mean it's a cheap 60, 80 cent filter and it does exactly what you pay for. So we're going to toss that away. Yeah, let's get ready.
Next thing we're going to go to is we're going to step up a little bit. This is a media filter that actually goes into a filter box, a duct mounted filter box or a unit mounted filter box. And it is actually a MERV 11 filter. Derek, give me some benefits of this.
Well, now we're getting somewhere. We went from 1 to 11, so now we're actually getting into some good filtration. Now the problem or the challenge with this particular kind of filter is airflow. When you put this 4 inch filter into a box, the airflow really has a hard time with the steady pressure of getting to the system. So it is catching the particles as needed. But you do have an airflow challenge. So this is better than the one, I promise you. But it's still a bit of a challenge.
Alright, let's move on a little bit. We've got a one hour fantastic MERV 13 filter. Derek, we stepped up from 11 to 13. Give me some benefits of the 13 versus the 11.
Well, this is pretty similar to the 3M filters you see in the big box stores, the Walmart or the Home Depots. And this is exactly the same price as those. I mean you get a three, four pack for not too much money. The difference in the one hour brand filters versus the 3M filter is that this one actually provides greater airflow for your system. Because now you're at 13, you're fixing to start air cleaning. Now you're getting those sub micronic particles that are really building up on your coil, your blower wheel, your blower motor. So you're getting a good job here and it's providing pretty decent airflow. But still you could do a little better.
Oh yeah, oh yeah. And we've got better. We're going to go from MERV 13 to the king of all filters. This is the one hour micro powerguard. Derek, explain the micropower water.
This is a good air cleaner. I mean this goes beyond filter. If you give it a MERV rating, be a MERV 14. The difference in this and the other filters we talked about is this actually has a charge to it from your unit, 24 volts into the plug. And this is actually going to provide a charge so you can get great airflow, but you can also catch the particles that are causing the problems. And the good thing about this, unlike an air cleaner where you actually have to do a little ductwork and get it in, this can actually fit in your 1 inch filter grill and relatively inexpensive on changing these out because it will last you 3, 4 months depending on your situation. So this is a great air to get you started air cleaning, this is the best one you can start with.
And once you leave this, the only other option you got is to go into some UV lights and things like that. But there are other options out there for that. Products out we got for that. That'll be another show we can.
Right. So just be aware when you go to your store and when you go to Walmart, you see all these options of filters which I mean it take up what, two or three hours of different filters you can buy. Make sure there's always going to be a trade off. You're always going to trade airflow for better efficiency on collecting the particles. Now a lot of them will say 99% efficient, 97% efficient. But you have to look at what that means to them. I mean the MERV1 filter is 100% efficient at stopping lint and sandwiches and sandwiches and chickens. If they walk in your house, they can't get through that filter. So, I mean, everything's 100% efficient at stopping something. So you just need to make sure you're making the right decisions here. At one hour, we can help you with all of those choices. Give us a call, 910-534-4462, and we'll be glad to help you.
