Pleated air filters offer a much higher level of filtration and are much more efficient than non-pleated filters at capturing microscopic particles suspended in the air. Both types of filters can filter lint, dust, and insects, but pleated filters can also filter pollen, mold, dust mites, bacteria, and pet dander. The main difference is that pleated air filters generally provide a higher level of air filtration than non-pleated ones. However, pleatless air filters generally allow greater airflow than pleated ones.
When it comes to safety, fiberglass filters are generally safe. But they don't compare to pleated filters when it comes to filtering smaller air pollutants such as pollen, pet dander, and bacteria. Over time, fiberglass filters can cause accumulations and weaken the air conditioning system, reducing its efficiency and increasing energy costs. The surface area of a pleated filter is approximately 8.5 square feet while the one-inch filter measures only 2.7 square feet.
The two-inch non-pleated filter has a thicker material but has no more surface area. The pleated filter has much better airflow numbers as the thicker two-inch non-pleated filter is much more restrictive. The higher the MERV rating, the greater the amount of filtered particulate matter and the cleaner the air on the other side will be. The non-pleated filter on the right does not have a published MERV and will need to be replaced approximately every 30 days.
When handling a dirty pleated filter, dust will be trapped in the filter material and will not fall off easily. When it comes to choosing between a pleated or non-pleated air filter, it is important to consider your home's environment and your family's health needs. To help you make an informed decision, let's look at some examples. If you live in San Francisco, California - one of the places with the highest air pollution in the United States - you should opt for a pleated filter with a MERV rating of 4 or higher as it can capture more than 20% of particles smaller than 10 microns in size. This type of filter will ensure that your home's air is clean and free from harmful pollutants. When looking for an air filter for your oven or air conditioner unit, you can search by filter size or by MERV rating.
Pleatless air filters include fiberglass filters, electrostatic filters, and electronic filters. Pleatless air filters are designed to trap larger particles which accumulate in the filter quite quickly compared to the tiny particles that pleated filters are designed for. However, while the cheaper fiberglass air filter may seem like a good idea for your budget, it may not always be the best option for your home, your air conditioning system, or your family's health. Your home may experience fluctuations in the heating unit which can prevent air from passing through the system smoothly. At some point, the air filters in your home's ventilation system and boiler will need to be replaced or problems will arise with air flow.
In general, they are more effective at capturing very small particles than pleated air filters; 99.97% of airborne particles are trapped in a pleated air filter.High-quality plastic-based synthetic materials allow these filters to trap particles as small as lint, dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, fine dust, smoke, viruses and bacteria. To sum up, when deciding between a pleated or non-pleated air filter, it is important to consider your home's environment and your family's health needs. Pleatless air filters are designed to trap larger particles which accumulate in the filter quickly compared to tiny particles that pleated filters are designed for. However, while fiberglass air filters may seem like a good idea for your budget, they may not always be the best option for your home or family's health due to their inability to capture very small particles.
