If you have a dirty air filter, it can cause low air flow. Not only does it restrict airflow, but it makes the entire HVAC system work harder, not as efficiently as possible. Yes, pleated air filters restrict air flow to your HVAC system. However, you should keep in mind that all air filters will restrict air flow to some extent, it's a fact. What you need to consider is finding the right filter for your unit and your overall system to guarantee that you reduce the amount of contaminants in the air as much as possible.
Research has shown that airflow in high-MERV filters decreased by 7% and 11% in both HVAC systems compared to low-MERV filters. Similarly, medium MERV filters also showed a decrease in air flow compared to low MERV filters, this time 3% and 8% lower in both systems. The reason why we don't like them is because they restrict airflow to your HVAC system. Pleated filters with high MERV content are great at capturing a lot of contaminants, but they also restrict air movement to the fan or oven. As a result, the fan has to work harder to heat and cool your home, reducing efficiency.
These filters can also cause liquid to re-enter the compressor, leading to premature equipment failure. The pressure drop of highly efficient filters such as HEPA, ULPA and ASHRAE tends to be greater, since they use a quality filter medium that is excellent for capturing contaminants and fine particles. For example, an air filter cannot remove moisture from your home or prevent air from entering outside. There are many types of filters, such as media filters and HEPA filters, and they all adapt to different circumstances. As mentioned above, there are different types of pleated air filters that are designed to remove various types of chemicals, toxins, pollutants and debris from the atmosphere, so some are much stronger than others.
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Report Value and the scale is used to evaluate the effectiveness of air filters. Although pleated fiberglass filters are very common and are consistently recommended, there is still a misconception that filters can damage the unit because they supposedly restrict air flow. At an inclination of 45 degrees, each filter is approximately 1.4 times the area of a filter that covers the same half of the duct horizontally or with an inclination of 0. For example, a household pleated filter that uses synthetic media will have a lower pressure drop than a glass microfiber filter used in critical environments, such as hospitals and data centers. When the HVAC system is operating, the filter slows down and limits the air that is extracted through the vents and ducts. If your HVAC system is a little older, low-efficiency air filters should work as long as they are routinely changed.
This is not true: it's normal for filters to restrict the movement of your property's air to some degree, and that's okay as long as you've chosen a filter that perfectly suits your needs. The pressure drop of an air filter is the measure of the resistance to air passing through the filter. Pleated air filters are great and are incredibly common air solution options; you just need to know which one is right for you. Dirty air filters significantly reduce airflow, making it difficult for the HVAC system to function properly. You don't want to waste time and money choosing an air filter only to discover that you've bought one that isn't going to do the job you ideally want your filter to do.
