Often referred to as OEM or original equipment manufacturer filters, they are produced by the brand company. There are also many home air filters sold at the aftermarket or at a discount, available for purchase. So what's the difference? Truthfully, the biggest difference you'll see is the cost of climate filters. OEM filters are usually much more expensive because you pay for a brand.
When you compare the material each air filter is made of, they will look and feel identical. The only difference you may occasionally see is if the OEM filter material is limited or has a patented design. The other difference you may notice is simply the brand and name of the oven filter. Your HVAC professional would install a small cabinet next to your furnace or air controller (on the air intake side) to hold the thicker filter.
You've probably already heard how important it is to change your home's air filter regularly. Some filter brands and retailers use alternative scales, such as Home Depot's Air Filter Performance Rating System (FPR) or the MPR (on 3M Filtrete air filters). Most home improvement stores sell air conditioning filters ranging from MERV 1 to MERV 13, although CR has tested models as tall as the MERV 16. Most of the time, the filter size is printed on the old filter so that you can use it as a reference to place an order again. I recently asked for an oil change and the Jiffy Lube technician tried to convince me to buy a better oil for my car and to buy a more expensive air filter.
To measure the air flow of a particular air filter, you will need two pressure gauges and accessories to pierce the air intake duct before and after the filter is installed. However, if you're willing to do the legwork, you can empirically determine which filter has the best flow for your particular car. At MERV 13, the highest rating you'll find for most popular residential HVAC filters, you can count on the filter to stop bacteria, smoke, and other microscopic particles. Unless you're going to spend a lot of money on a cleanable K&N filter, I don't know any real benefit of improved air filters; after all, it's basically a folded sheet of cardboard.
I tested a new, oil-style, market-leading air filter against a standard Ford factory paper filter. In fact, there are many different types of air filters available and choosing the right one can make a real difference to the lifespan of your air conditioning system. If you really want to clean the air as it flows through your air conditioning system, you should consider installing a whole-house air purifier or placing a UV lamp inside your air conditioning unit. On the other hand, a K&N air filter installed in my Kawasaki Concours not only produced that cold, growling noise when accelerating, but I also noticed a smoother idle and a small, yes small, increase in performance at maximum speed above 7,000 rpm.
These filters will protect your air conditioning unit from dust and dirt that could damage it, while allowing air to flow freely. When it comes to choosing an air filter, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration. The most important factor is cost; OEM filters are usually much more expensive than aftermarket or discount options. However, if you're looking for something with higher performance ratings or patented designs then OEM may be worth considering.
Additionally, it's important to consider what type of filtration system you need; some systems require specific types of filters while others may be more flexible in terms of what type of filter can be used. It's also important to consider how often you need to replace your air filter. Most home improvement stores sell filters ranging from MERV 1 to MERV 13; however CR has tested models as tall as MERV 16. Additionally, some brands and retailers use alternative scales such as Home Depot's Air Filter Performance Rating System (FPR) or 3M Filtrete's MPR system. To ensure optimal performance from your filtration system it's important to replace your air filter regularly according to manufacturer instructions.
Finally, if you're looking for improved performance from your HVAC system then consider installing a whole-house air purifier or UV lamp inside your unit. Additionally, K&N filters can provide improved performance in certain applications such as cars; however they are more expensive than standard paper filters and require regular cleaning in order to maintain their effectiveness. In conclusion, when it comes to choosing an air filter, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration including cost, type of filtration system needed and how often it needs replacing. Additionally, if improved performance is desired then consider installing a whole-house purifier or UV lamp inside your unit or investing in an oil-style K&N filter for cars.
