Pleated Panel Air Filters
Pleated panel air filters capture airborne contaminants more effectively than non-pleated air filters because the pleated filter media provides more surface area for trapping contaminants. Pleated filters are commonly installed in HVAC systems in food and beverage, healthcare, hospitality, education, and industrial facilities to remove contaminants from the air stream and improve the quality of the air. They also prevent the contaminants from building up in the equipment and causing damage to it. The filters are designed to be discarded when replaced.
MERV 13 Filters
In light of Covid-19, ASHRAE upgraded its prior recommendation for MERV 8 filters to MERV 13 or higher. RP Fedder sells the full range of MERV 13 or higher filters.
Understanding MERV Ratings
Pleated filters typically have a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of between 7 and 13. A filter's MERV rating measures how efficiently it removes contaminants from the air stream based on the size of the particles it can effectively capture. The higher the MERV rating is, the more effectively the filter traps small particles.
All filters have a MERV rating that falls between 1 and 20. The rating describes a filter’s effectiveness at removing particles from the air. The higher the MERV rating, the more a filter can capture, and the cleaner the air will be. Filters with high MERV ratings are recommended wherever super-clean air is desired or required.
An important thing to know, however, is that MERV ratings are not standard. They will vary from one brand to the next. One filter with a MERV rating of 14 may be able to remove VOCs* from the air, while a different filter with the same rating may not be able to. Reasons include:
- Filter frames and gaskets inside HVAC systems can negatively impact filter efficiency
- Synthetic, charged coarse-fiber filters drop in MERV rating as they’re used
- Some manufacturers claim MERV ratings that their filters simply don’t have
* volatile organic compounds
Rensa Filtration - New in 2023
Rensa has taken the stage as one of the leading HVAC filter manufacturers on the market. Their products, such as the Endurex line, are among the most energy-efficient, durable and longest lasting that our customers can buy. Contact our sales team to learn more about Rensa products and pricing.
