The Benefits of a 5-Inch Filter

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Many of us already know that regularly changing our air filters every 1-3 months gives our home a cleaner and healthier air. But have you ever thought of changing to a larger air filter such as a thicker furnace 5-inch filter? After all, most homes have central HVAC systems that can accommodate large sizes of air filters.

Let us help you out if you’re on the verge of purchasing a large 5-inch air filter. In this article, we’ll enumerate the benefits of a 5-inch filter.

What is a 5-Inch Filter?

A 5-inch filter is a large and thick pleated air filter commonly known as a furnace filter. Such filters can fit furnaces and AC units alike. They often come with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating ranging from MERV 8-13. This means that a 5-inch air filter can effectively weed out small particles polluting your indoor air such as:

• Dust
• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Bacteria
• Mold
• Pet dander
• Smoke
• Smog
• Viruses

5-inch filters with a MERV rating of 13 can filter out all those above-mentioned pollutants. Those with a lower MERV rating of 8 or 11 cannot catch pet dander, smoke, smog, and viruses, though.

Why Change to a 5-Inch Filter?

There are plenty of benefits to getting a 5-inch filter:

1. Enhance Indoor Air Quality

Replacing your standard one-inch air filter with a pleated 5-inch filter can result in better air quality inside your home. That’s because bigger air filters feature higher MERV ratings, leading to better filtration of pollutants and allergens.

Ideal 5-inch air filters come with a MERV rating of 13. These filters are enough to stop the passage of allergens, dust, mold, bacteria, dust mites, and pet dander. Such filters are good for homes that have kids, elderlies, sick family members, and/or pets.

2. Better Airflow

One of the amazing benefits of a 5-inch filter is its ability to facilitate better airflow. Think of it this way: 5-inch air filters are fine enough to block harmful pollutant particles, but they’re big enough to prevent impeding proper air circulation in your home.

Dust and dirt can quickly accumulate in smaller air filters. This leads to reduced airflow in the duct system. This is especially true if the small air filter has high MERV ratings such as 11 or 13.

Meanwhile, using a MERV 13 5-inch air filter has an increased surface area, leading to high dust-holding ability. The bigger surface area allows for more air to pass through the filter while effectively blocking all those harmful particles.

3. Energy Cost Savings

As mentioned previously, small filters with high MERV ratings can quickly impede airflow when they get dirty. Pressure drop or air resistance also increases. Your HVAC system has to work double-time to provide you with cleaner air as a result. Eventually, this translates into higher energy costs.

With a 5-inch air filter, you get more cost savings in your energy bill. Since bigger filters provide better airflow and lower pressure drops, you won’t worry about your HVAC system doubling up its energy consumption.

4. Has a Longer Life

Most 5-inch filters can work perfectly for 6 months to a year after installed. Hence, you don’t have to change them as frequently as smaller filters require (which is 1-3 months).

5. Cost-Effectiveness

Sure, standard one-inch fiberglass filters are cheap. But consider the costs you’ll incur when you regularly replace them, all the while thinking of the air quality they can provide you as well. The costs can quickly rack up in a year.

5-inch air filters are more expensive up-front. However, they can provide you a better service in terms of air quality, longer life, and energy cost savings. That means it’s more cost-effective than smaller filters.

The Wrap-Up

To sum it up, the benefits of a 5-inch filter are better air quality, ample airflow, longer life, cost-effectiveness, and more energy cost savings. So, have your HVAC system evaluated now and shift to a 5-inch air filter as soon as you can.