HVAC filters: Pleated or fiberglass?

[Charles Wiggins]

We have a fairly new heat pump with gas furnace backup for cold days. When it was installed they added a second return and made sure to make me aware to only use fiberglass filters because the pleated ones restrict air flow too much.

My mom's house has a slightly older heat pump with electric "heat strips" as backup. Dad passed away in May and the air filters were one of those things he always did. She used the few that were left, and has the system serviced in October. The tech installed a wooley looking filter that looks like a hybrid between the two. From what I recall dad used pleated filters. I have no idea if that is what they should have been using or if I should switch back to fiberglass. Any recommendations one way or the other, or as far as what I should look for to determine which is appropriate?

Thanks,
Charles

[John Goodin]

I have always heard from hvac guys to use the thinnest pleated filters you can find and to stay away from the thick allegiance reducing ones. The thick ones restrict air flow too much and are similar to running a marathon while breathing through a straw. That will stress the system and increase electric bills. My take on the fiberglass filter is that they remove enough dust and debris.

[Myk Rian]

Pleated. Change them at least twice a year. YMMV

[Charles Wiggins]

Pleated. Change them at least twice a year. YMMV

Reasoning?

[Lee Schierer]

My heat pump system uses a 2" thick pleated filter. I change it twice a year.

My understanding is that pleated filters catch more particulates than fiberglass filters do. The pleats increase the surface area so air flow loss should be minimal. If you check the MERV rating (actual filtering ability where 20 is the highest) you will find nearly all fiberglass filters are in the 2-3 range while pleated filters typically are in the 8-10 range. If you can discern shapes through your filter it isn't much of a filter.

[John Goodin]

The one inch pleated need to be changed every four to six weeks based on usage. More often in the summer than spring and fall. The four inch pleated media filters can go every six months.

[Marty Schlosser]

My HVAC specialist recommended purchasing the least expensive filters and change them monthly. Seems to work for us.

[Robert Delhommer Sr]

Pleated filters smaller particles than fiberglass.

[Tom M King]

Simply saying "pleated" doesn't make sense to me. You can get pleated filters from el'cheapo to el'loco. I buy the cheap ones and change every month.

[Myk Rian]

Reasoning?

The most surface area, with minimal air flow restriction. They remove smaller particles than fiberglass.

[Myk Rian]

Simply saying "pleated" doesn't make sense to me. You can get pleated filters from el'cheapo to el'loco. I buy the cheap ones and change every month.

That's all you need.

[Lee Schierer]

Simply saying "pleated" doesn't make sense to me. You can get pleated filters from el'cheapo to el'loco. I buy the cheap ones and change every month.

If you think cheap is better check the front surface of your heat exchanger and teh duct immediately down stream from it. If you see dust and fuzz your filter isn't filtering...

[Tom M King]

thanks, I do check that, and so far it's clean after eight years. If I didn't change every month it might be different. I don't get the cheapest ones you can see holes through, but the cheap ones relative to the fancy ones. still pleated though.