Fiberglass Panel Filters vs. Pleated Synthetic Filters

With so many air filter options, it can be confusing to figure out which air filter to choose. Many people have their favorites, but we are here to &#;clear&#; the air on whether a fiberglass &#;throw-away&#; air filter or pleated air filter is best for you. When determining which filter is right for you and your needs you might consider price, changeout frequency, air flow/restriction, construction quality, and MERV rating/efficiency.

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Fiberglass Panel Filter

Pleated Synthetic Filter

Cost

Approx. $3-$5

Approx. $5-$15

Replacement Frequency

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Air Flow

Non-Restrictive

Slightly Restrictive

Quality

Flimsy and Porous

Sturdy and Durable

Dust Loading Capacity

Flat Porous Media: Low dust holding capacity

Pleated Media: High dust holding capacity

MERV Rating and Efficiency

MERV 4-5 (less filtering ability)

MERV 8-13 (effectively stops and traps air containments from recirculating)

Fiberglass Panel Air Filters:

Let&#;s begin with fiberglass panel filters. Fiberglass filters are often referred to as &#;throwaway&#; or &#;disposable&#; filters because they typically last no longer than 30 days. These panel filters use either a spun glass media or a non-woven fiberglass media, with a flimsy cardboard frame and can be found in most hardware stores for a few dollars. The main argument with users of the fiberglass filters is that it will save you money, but keep in mind that you&#;ll have to replace these filters monthly (if not more frequently depending on how highly trafficked your environment is) and you&#;ll get what you pay for. Another reason many people opt for these filters is because they provide the least amount of airflow resistance for an HVAC system.

However, with this ease of airflow comes lower quality air filtration. Fiberglass filters have a very low MERV rating between 2-3 efficiency. A MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is the standard rating system for measuring an air filter&#;s overall effectiveness at trapping air pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the finer the particles the filter can trap and block from recirculating back into the air. A MERV rating between 6-13 is recommended for residential use and 5-16 MERV for commercial environments. Fiberglass air filters have media that is loosely woven with a low MERV rating, which means many air pollutants pass through the filter sending the allergens and particulates back into the circulating air.

Fiberglass Panel Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Price: Inexpensive, most fiberglass throwaway filters range from $3-$5.

• Air Flow: Non-Restrictive, fiberglass filters&#; media is very porous and will not restrict air flow. However, most fiberglass filters must be replaced every 30 days to ensure the filter isn&#;t being fully loaded with debris and pollutants so that air can still pass through with ease.

• Catches Large Debris: Large lint and dust particles are easily captured by the fiberglass media.

Cons:

• Dust Holding Capacity: Because fiberglass filter uses a panel style media it has a smaller surface area that can trap and hold debris; giving it a low dust holding capacity.

• Filter Changeouts: frequent filter replacements, every 30 days.

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• Quality: Fiberglass panel filters use a porous fiberglass media and a flimsy cardboard frame. Fiberglass filters are prone to damage when in use and can damage your HVAC system while letting debris recirculate.

• Filtration Rating: Fiberglass filters have a low MERV rating (MERV 4-5). Fiberglass filters do not filter out fine air pollutants like pollen, dust, dust mites, bacteria, or viruses and are not recommended for environments where there are allergy or asthma suffers, pets, or lots of foot traffic. Fiberglass filters capture less than 25% of particles that range from 3 to 10 micron in size, this includes small pollutants like pollen, dander, and bacteria.

Pleated Air Filters:

While not the cheapest option, pleated air filters provide superior air filtration to fiberglass panel filters. Manufactured using a premium pleated synthetic fiber media, these filters allow for an increased surface area to capture more airborne pollutants. Additionally, these filters are reinforced with an expanded metal backing and heavy-duty frame. Pleated AC/furnace filters are available in an 8-13 MERV rating and can last up to 90 days without requiring a filter changeout. Although some older HVAC systems may be strained and experience less airflow with pleated filters, most HVAC systems today have had advancements so that the performance is unaffected by pleated filters. The synthetic media used in these filters effectively traps and blocks smaller sized air particles better than fiberglass filters, keeping your environment&#;s air free of pollutants and allergens longer.

Pleated Filter Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Dust Holding Capacity: Pleated filters use a pleated accordion style media that increases the filter&#;s surface area and dust holding and load capacity.

• Filter Changeouts: Pleated filters have a service life of up to 90 days, depending on the environment and foot traffic.

• Quality: Pleated filters are manufactured with a high-quality synthetic media and a sturdy die-cut frame that is durable even in high humidity environments.

• Filter Rating: Pleated filters are available in a MERV 8, 10, 11, or 13 rated media. The pleated synthetic media captures fine dust, pollen, dirt, pet dander, bacteria, and some viruses. Pleated filters are a great option for environments where there are infants, allergy sufferers or people with asthma.

Cons:

• Price: Pleated air filters can range anywhere from $5-$15 dollars depending on the size and filter rating.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fiberglass and Pleated Air Filters

What is a pleated filter?

A pleated filter is an air filter that is manufactured using a synthetic fiber media that is pleated into an accordion or pleat style pattern to create more surface area to hold dust and debris that is filtered. The synthetic media is reinforced with an expanded metal backing and is housed in a heavy-duty die-cut beverage board frame.

What are pleated filters made of?

Pleated filters are made using a premium synthetic fiber media that effectively traps fine dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, bacteria and more. The media is adhered to expanded metal backing for additional structure and support during use. The frame is made of heavy-duty beverage board that ensures the filter&#;s integrity even in high humidity environments.

Are fiberglass filters safe?

Yes, fiberglass filters are safe. However, they are not as durable as pleated filters and if they are not replaced frequently, they run the risk of falling apart and damaging your HVAC unit. Because fiberglass filters are panel filters, they have a low dust holding capacity and are not able to filter fine air pollutants like dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses.

Are pleated air filters better?

While fiberglass filters work, pleated filters do an overall better job at filtering and trapping common small airborne pollutants and contaminates. Pleated filters also have a longer service life (up to 90 days) and have a higher dust holding capacity. 

Running your furnace, central air, or heat pump probably constitutes a big part of your utility bill. But it&#;s a small, often inexpensive part&#;the air filter&#;that keeps these heating and cooling systems humming along. And it also plays a role in maintaining good air quality inside your home.

For these reasons&#;and because every forced-air heating and cooling system uses at least one filter&#;it&#;s important to know how and when to replace it. 

Some background: Forced-air heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) systems work on a loop. They &#;inhale&#; through return vents in your living space, pulling air through ductwork and across your heating or cooling source (either a furnace&#;s burners, or an AC or heat pump&#;s coil). Then they &#;exhale&#; through supply ducts and vents, delivering warm or cool air to your living space. Inevitably, some of the hair, dust, and other debris in your home gets sucked into that loop as air circulates around your house.

It&#;s an HVAC air filter&#;s job to catch that debris. In doing so, it first and foremost protects your heating and cooling equipment from damage. As a bonus, it can improve your indoor air quality. In fact, manufacturers claim many of today&#;s filters can capture allergens, microbes, and other particles while they&#;re doing their primary job of keeping your system gunk-free. And with the prevalence of wildfire smoke, air filters are even more important. (Here are the best filters for dealing with smoke-filled air, according to CR&#;s ratings.)

There are a range of HVAC filter designs: The basic models are made from strands of fiberglass (for disposable filters) or metal mesh (for reusable filters), and can stop big debris. Higher-end filters are made from material more like a surgical mask&#;s, arranged into pleats, and at their best, they can capture particles as tiny as bacteria, and sometimes even viruses before they can recirculate. 

You should expect to replace your filter every three to 12 months of use, depending on the size of the filter. For 1-inch-thick filters, three months is the usual recommendation. For 4-inch and thicker filters, 12 months is common.

You might need to replace the filter more frequently if you have a few very furry pets, for example, or you live in an area with a lot of air pollution, such as from wildfires. When HVAC filters get dirty and clogged with debris, air can&#;t flow freely through your ducts, which makes your home less comfortable and can eventually break your HVAC equipment. 

The good news is that fresh HVAC filters can be budget-friendly and are usually simple to replace. 

In this guide, we&#;ll help you figure out which filter size your HVAC system needs, how to pick the right amount of filtration, and how to swap in a filter on your own&#;usually with no tools required.

CR members can also see our comprehensive air filter ratings for HVAC filters, based on extensive lab testing. We have ratings for almost 70 models across a range of thicknesses, prices, and performance ratings. Many filters that we review are available in multiple width and height configurations, so our recommendations should cover almost any kind of forced-air system.

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