Air Filters
High-end, Standard and Low-end
Over the years we have had the opportunity to use and replace thousands of air filters by many various manufacturers. These manufacturers all have their “low end filters” and their “top-of-the-line filters”. So, to navigate through them with ease we have separated the filters into several different categories. Please note: This is not a complete list of all the different types of filters available on the market, but this will cover most of the customers we service.
Filters are rated by their performance and their price. As with anything else, the more performance a filter delivers – the higher the cost.
High-End Filters
High Capacity Pleated Filters:
These filters are similar to the standard pleated filters except they have more pleats, more surface area and more capacity. These filters work well and are well suited for dusty environments or bi-annual filter changes in normal environments. We choose to use these filters on our accounts with special needs; such as…..
Standard Filters
Standard Capacity Pleated Filters:
These filters offer better filtration than the low end fiberglass filters but they also offer more resistance and will get dirty faster but they are still a good choice for most applications. These are the filters most contractors choose to use.
Ring Panels:
Most ring panel filters use a metal wire frame inside and polyester material over the frame. These filters often have a tackifier and sometimes use a microbial tackifier. These filters offer good filtration and a self-sealing surface to prevent leakage around the filter. These filters will get dirty quickly but that is why we use filters – to catch the dirt and dust.
Framed Filters with Media:
Framed filters have a metal or plastic frame holding the media in-between screens. These filters are comparable to the ring panels when polyester media is used with the exception of the metal racks. In most cases they do not seal as well to prevent filter bypass. Some companies use foam, hog hair, or fiberglass media lowering filtering ability.
Low End Filters
Fiberglass Standard Panel Filters:
As far as performance, the resistance is very low but their ability to clean the air is not impressive. Our professional opinion is if you can drop a handful of sand on the top of the filter and most of the sand comes out the bottom of the filter – it’s not a good, quality filter.
If air quality is a concern, these filters are not recommended. Beware of contractors that do.
The Fiberglass Media is constructed of a multitude of fiberglass strands that form a graduated density for maximum dirt arrestance throughout the media.
Standard 52.5 Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value |
Dust Spot Efficiency |
Arrestance |
Typical Controlled Contaminant |
Typical Applications and Limitations |
Typical Air Filter/Cleaner Type
|
20 |
n/a |
n/a |
<0.30 pm particle size |
Clean rooms |
>99.999% eff. On |
19 |
n/a |
n/a |
Virus (unattached) |
Radioactive Materials
|
Particles |
18 |
n/a |
n/a |
Carbon Dust |
Pharmaceutical |
Particles
|
17 |
n/a |
n/a |
All Combustion smoke |
Carcinogenetic Materials |
Particulates
|
16 |
n/a |
n/a |
.30-1.0 pm Particle size |
General Surgery |
>99.97% eff. On.30 pm |
15 |
>95% |
n/a |
All Bacteria |
Hospital Inpatient Care |
Bag Filter -Nonsupported Microfine Box Filter – Rigid style cartridge |
14 |
90-95% |
>98% |
Most tobacco smoke |
Smoking Lounges
|
|
13 |
89-90% |
>98% |
Proplet Nuclei (sneeze) |
Superior Commercial |
|
12 |
70-75% |
>95% |
1.0-3.0 pm particle size, |
Superior Residential |
Bag Filter -Nonsupported Microfine Box Filter – Rigid style cartridge |
11 |
60-65% |
>95% |
Humidifier dust, lead dust |
Better Commercial |
|
10 |
50-55% |
>95% |
Milled flour, Auto |
Hospital Laboratories |
|
9 |
40-45% |
>90% |
Welding Fumes |
||
8 |
30-35% |
>90% |
3.0-10.0 pm particle size |
Commercial Buildings |
Pleated Filters – Disposable, extended Cartridge Filters – Graded density viscous Throwaway – disposable synthetic |
7 |
25-30% |
>90% |
Mold Spores, Hair spray |
Better Residential |
|
6 |
<20% |
85-90% |
Fabric protector, dusting |
Industrial Workplace |
|
5 |
<20% |
80-85% |
Cement Dust, Pudding Mix |
Paint Booth Inlet |
|
4 |
<20% |
75-80% |
>10.0 pm Particle size, |
Minimal Filtration |
Throwaway – disposable synthetic Washable – Aluminum Mesh Electrostatic– Self charging woven |
3 |
<20% |
70-75% |
Dust Mites, Sanding Dust |
Residential |
|
2 |
<20% |
65-70% |
Spray paint dust |
||
1 |
<20% |
<65% |
Textile Fibers, Carpet |
Window A/C Units |
Please feel free to call us with questions about the right filter for your needs, or if you need hepa filters, deep pleated filters or special filters.
All Climate Mechanical: Heating, Cooling & Ductwork
763.548.8095