If you are concerned about indoor air quality, the best furnace filter to buy is a disposable electrostatic filter. These filters contain self-charging electrostatic cotton or paper fibers that attract and trap small particles, and they have a MERV rating of 10. This makes them an affordable and effective solution for homes with children, pets, or smokers. Custom sizes are available, but they can be expensive if replaced regularly over several years.HEPA filters are very dense and can reduce the airflow entering the oven, so they are generally used only in commercial ovens or hospitals. With a MERV rating of 16-20, they block the highest level of particles in the air and provide better air quality.
However, they are not suitable for most residential ovens. Oven filters come in dozens of sizes, with the three most common being 16 by 20 inches, 20 by 25 inches and 16 by 25 inches. The thickness of the filter varies from one to five inches, and in general, the thicker the filter, the more particle blocking capacity it will have. Before choosing a filter, you will need to consult the owner's manual or operating manual, as not all ovens accept a thicker product. As the filter becomes thicker, the oven must work harder to draw air through it, reducing its efficiency and service life. The Filtrete AC oven air filter is presented as our best overall oven replacement filter.
Its high-efficiency MERV-12 rating makes it an excellent choice for homeowners who want to trap as much debris as possible in the air. It is available in more than a dozen sizes and is one inch thick. The Nordic Pure MERV 12 pleated air conditioning oven filters are also great for blocking smoke and odors. These disposable pleated filters are hypoallergenic and feature electrostatic fibers that attract contaminants and resist mold and mildew growth. They come in a variety of sizes and 1 inch thick to fit a wide range of ovens. Depending on how often the oven works, you may need to replace them more often than every three months.
The AirX ALLERGY MERV 11 pleated air filter is designed with additional density to trap airborne allergens that can trigger allergy symptoms. It's also good for blocking smoke and odors. The MERV 11 filter is dense and helps prevent allergens from recirculating through your home's ducts. For pet owners, the Aerostar Allergen & Pet Dander MERV 11 pleated disposable air filter is a great option. It blocks a large amount of particles in the air, including pet hair and dander.
This high-efficiency electrostatic filter attracts particles and traps them in place. This disposable pleated filter is available in a variety of sizes 1 and 2 inch thick to fit a wide range of ovens. The manufacturer recommends replacing it at least once every three months. The 1-inch thick disposable pleated filter absorbs odors and removes unwanted odors while trapping other airborne particles such as dust and pollen. It comes in several sizes and should be changed at least once every three months. The affordable and durable V-pleat Air Filter is another great option for trapping dust and pollen.
It has a MERV rating of 8 and comes with 4 filters with V-pleats for a larger surface area and additional airflow. If you're looking for a more durable filter, check out the Honeywell Home MicroDefense AC Air Filter that lasts up to 12 months before you need to replace it. This 4-inch thick disposable filter features deep pleats and electrostatically charged fibers that capture and retain a large amount of particles in its crevices. The filter is only available in 2 sizes, so measure your current filter to ensure that the Honeywell Extended Use filter fits. In addition, this filter can help control odors. With so many options available, finding the right oven filter can be difficult.
One of the best choices overall is the Filtrete oven filter with its disposable electrostatic design, multiple size options, MERV rating of 12, and 3-in-1 technology to trap lint, dust, pet dander, soot, pollen and mold. The preferred type of oven filters are pleated and electrostatic disposables because of their ability to filter lint, dust, pet dander, soot, pollen, and mold spores. While many picks are unable to filter out smoke and bacteria, most of these options come in various sizes and thicknesses to be compatible with your oven. As for MERV ratings, most of the above products range from 8 to 12 without impeding airflow. The selected selections listed above may last longer than 2 to 3 months at a time, but for convenience some will last longer than 12 months or come with multiple filters. Special features such as arrows included in the frame to direct placement and airflow; odor control; HEPA filters; Bluetooth capability; car emissions; humidifier dust; Legionella; tobacco smoke; bacteria; virus carriers; microscopic allergens; etc., are also available. According to a CNN article HEPA filters with MERV ratings of 17 to 20 are best at reducing the spread of viruses but most household ovens cannot draw air through a dense HEPA filter.
Many oven filters need to be changed every 2-3 months so many options come with 4-6 filters per purchase but some options may last 9 to 12 months before requiring a replacement. Oven filters are an important part of maintaining good indoor air quality so make sure you choose one that fits your needs!.
