What are Pleated Air Filters and How Do They Work?

Pleated air filters are advanced filters that are made of a flexible material, such as polyester, cotton or paper, which is folded to look like an accordion and housed in a cardboard frame. The folds give the filter more surface area, allowing it to capture more particles. These filters are usually highly efficient and can be used to promote better airflow. A pleated polyester filter with a MERV value of 6 to 8 is an ideal solution for removing many contaminants from your home without damaging your HVAC system. Pleated air filters come in a wide variety of sizes to fit any climate system, ranging from 1-inch wide filters to 6-inch wide deep-pleated filters.

They are made of sheets folded from cotton fabric or polyester blend and have a mesh fabric that traps and absorbs particles that pass through without restricting air flow. This allows the filter to trap more particles in the air, such as dust, dirt and hair (from pets and humans), which could otherwise damage the oven fan and clog the air conditioner coils. The higher quality of air filters means that they have a higher price range than lower-style filters. While air filters may cost more, their quality helps to better protect your home from airborne problems. A dirty air filter has layers of dirt and debris that prevent incoming air from easily passing through.

A pleated air filter uses polyester, plastic fiber, or cotton screens to remove dust and other particles from the air that enter the HVAC system. If you want the indoor air quality to be clean and not to damage bacteria, mold, dust or pollen, then consider using a pleated air filter. Pleated filter widths range from 1 to 6 inches to restrict both tiny and large particles in the air. While other filters experience a high pressure drop due to the high MERV, so they resist air flow, this type of filter does not interfere with air flow. Most pleated filters should be replaced every 90 days (or possibly more frequently during periods of intensive HVAC use), rather than every 30 days for fiberglass filters. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that consumers contact an HVAC technician to determine the most appropriate air filter for their systems. In conclusion, pleated air filters are advanced filters that offer a much higher level of filtration than standard filters provided by the manufacturer.

They come in a wide variety of sizes to fit any climate system and use polyester, plastic fiber, or cotton screens to remove dust and other particles from the air that enter the HVAC system. They also have a mesh fabric that traps and absorbs particles that pass through without restricting air flow. Most pleated filters should be replaced every 90 days (or possibly more frequently during periods of intensive HVAC use).