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
Camfil
Camfil makes the best filters on the market: they are the most energy-efficient, are more durable, and last longer than other filters. Plus, Camfil is leading the charge to educate customers about different MERV ratings and how to tell if you’re getting what you paid for. Unlike other manufacturers, they also test each individual filter as opposed to batch-testing, which is what other companies do. Camfil ensures the highest quality filters and has the data to back them up. Contact our sales team for Camfil products and pricing.
