Upgrade From Your Standard 1-Inch Filter

Did you know that you may have more airborne particulates in your air than the standard 1-inch filter can handle? Upgrading from your 1″ standard air filter just might be the key.

Air filters work wonders when capturing the many particulates in the air and protecting your HVAC system. HEPA filters are often considered the best on the market but are not intended for the average HVAC system. Due to their high efficiency, they restrict airflow, which can cause severe damage to your system and drive up your energy bill.

The most common HVAC filters you see are the standard 1-inch filters, but did you know you can upgrade to a thicker filter?

FiltersFast.com offers Return Grille Air Filters just for this purpose. Return air filters are thicker, making them even more efficient at protecting your health and the environment. Return grille filters range in size, depth, and MERV rating so you can find the filter that best meets your needs.

Shop Return Grille Air Filters

How to Upgrade Your Air Filter

First, you’ll want to locate your filter size. Filters usually have their sizes printed along the side of the filter frame. If you can’t find it, you’ll need to measure it. Need help? Check out our blog on measuring your air filter.

Your air filter size comprises three measurements: length, width, and thickness. Knowing the length and width of your filter is essential here. This will ensure that your upgraded filter will fit your air return or furnace. What will change when you decide to upgrade your filter is how many inches thick the filter is.

Next, consider what MERV rating you’ll need. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and tells you how efficiently the filter captures contaminants. The higher the MERV, the more efficient the filter.

Although a high MERV sounds good, you’ll want to ensure your HVAC system can handle it. The most common household recommendations are MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13.

According to Cartier, FiltersFast.com’s Air Filtration Specialist certified by the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA):

“MERV 13 air filters are the highest recommended air filtration level for most residential applications.”

But why is MERV 13 the highest recommended air filtration level? Well, a lot of it has to do with efficiency. MERV 13 is one of the highest efficiency ratings available. The U.S. Green Building Council considers a MERV 13 rating the minimum level required to meet its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

Check out our MERV Ratings Guide to learn more about the MERV rating that best meets your needs.

When it comes to upgrading your 1-inch filter, here are five things you should consider:

1. More effective. A larger surface area and deeper pleats make it 15 times more effective at capturing airborne particles than a standard 1″ filter. You most likely have more airborne particulates than your standard 1-inch filter is equipped to hold. Excess air particles float back into your household air, causing allergy flare-ups, sinus issues, and other health problems.
2. A more powerful filter without the high price tag. Combining a larger filter with a more efficient MERV rating could make it one of the market’s best filters. For example, MERV 13 filters remove at least 90 percent of all particles 1.0 – 10.0 microns. Just how big is a micron? Look at the period at the end of this sentence. That is a vast 397 microns!
3. Longer filter life. The life of the filters is subject to the environment in which they are installed, but typically, return grille filters last for 2-3x longer than a standard 1” filter.
4. Reduced air bypass. The filter’s foam gasket header reduces the air bypass, increasing particle-capturing efficiency. Typical 1-inch pleated air filters don’t have this feature.
5. Fewer filter changes. These only need to be changed 1x per year. They fit just like a regular 1″ filter.

Like most home filtration choices, you should do your due diligence before investing. Consulting with a professional is a great start.

Apart from Return Grille Air Filters, we offer other options to upgrade from your standard 1″ filter. Check out our wide selection of Filters Fast® Brand Air Filters.

Shop Filters Fast® Brand Filters

So this season, don’t just deal with sneezing, coughing, and other poor indoor air quality symptoms. Protect your health, your environment, and your wallet with FiltersFast.com.