The Best Guide to Shopping for Furnace Air Filters

Updated on January 7, 2023

An essential part of every forced-air HVAC system is the furnace air filter. Many shapes and sizes give you various advantages for your furnace equipment and cleaner air. Here’s what you need to know to choose the best furnace filter for your home and system. Your furnace system will operate at peak efficiency with routine furnace filter maintenance. Let us have a look at the guide below.

Types of furnace filters you should know

There are several filters in the market, and it’s advisable to get familiar with them to avoid selecting the wrong type. Standard filters available include;

  • Polyester filters 

Polyester filters feature the best materials, such as this 20x25x5 air filter. These are medium-sized and trap particles very effectively. While a polyester filter is four times more expensive than typical fiberglass or synthetic filter, it provides excellent protection from toxins that might harm your health.

  • Synthetic/fiberglass filters 

Disposable fiberglass or synthetic filters are an affordable solution for your furnace. Fiberglass/synthetic filters provide the bare minimum of protection since they keep heat exchangers and other components clean. Your furnace’s elements stay clean because the Air Filter traps all particles. They permit air to flow through the system but do not filter dangerous particles that could be hazardous to your health.

  • Pleated filters

By capturing particles smaller than 0.3 microns, including bacteria and viruses, a pleated filter produces high-efficiency outcomes. Compared to fiberglass/synthetic filters, pleated filters are more effective and last longer. Without reducing system airflow, they remove more contaminants from the air.

What to consider when purchasing filters 

Before accepting and buying a specific air filter, there are several things you should put into consideration. Some important things to factor out are;

  • Know how much filtration you need

An ordinary, disposable air filter works well in most homes and furnaces. If your home requires more filtration than usual, you can benefit from harder-working filters that pull in more and smaller particles from the air.

  • Understand MERV

The MERVs value rate the effectiveness of a filter’s ability to trap and eliminate contaminants, allergies, and other pollutants. The better a filter filters out the tiny particles in the air passing through your system, the higher its MERV rating.

  • Size matters

Filters come in various sizes; you should know what sizes are best for your furnace. Some sizes are 16 x 20, 20 x 25, and 16 x 25 cm. Don’t assume you know the size you need; there are additional options. Ensure you measure the intake vent where the filter is placed and check the manufacturer’s specifications or the user handbook for your furnace.

How to save when purchasing furnace filters 

While buying filters, you need to save big and, at the same time, get a quality product. To achieve this, you can put these great tips in place.

  • Buy in bulk
  • Buy online
  • Compare different shops’ price
  • Take advantage of offers and discounts 

Bottom line



A furnace filter offers numerous benefits. Without it, your furnace might not work effectively. However, getting the best filter can challenge you at times. From the above guideline, you are now in a position to get the most suitable furnace for your needs.

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.