What Is The Fpr Of A Best Air Filter

Do you buy air filters for your house? What am I proverb… of course you do. Simply about everyone does.

Are you lot over paying for air filters?

You probably are. I did. For 7 years I overpaid.

And then final twelvemonth I discovered that if I buy them here online in bulk it's much cheaper. And this year when I went to practise some research for this commodity I discovered that some companies within the air filter industry are trying to pull a fast one on YOU!

Wait - I'm non a conspiracy nut or something like that. I'm just a Dad who has a family to support and a business firm to keep upward. I take out the trash and I change the filters - these are some of my all-time contributions to the house. That… and my insane knowledge of how to hook up electronics.

I know this is my basement finishing website simply I idea you guys would appreciate hearing my story and getting less expensive filters (of the same quality).

Offset, let's commencement with why I'thou aroused at Abode Depot.

MERV vs FPR

At some indicate last year Habitation Depot stopped selling filters that list their MERV rating. Instead they utilize a rating call FPR. It doesn't matter what these stand up for what matters is the MERV is a universal industry rating and FPR is a made up rating past the manufacturer.

I talked with Sanjay, at my Dwelling Depot in Reston VA, for well-nigh 30 minutes nigh this and he said he didn't know about MERV ratings and couldn't tell me what the equivalent FPR would be.

Actually Sanjay…? Well that's shocking!

Particularly since yous are self-proclaimed filter department guru here at the HD.

I'm mad at HD because without the MERV rating it's very difficult to compare their pricing with the pricing online or at other retailers.

Get Furnace Filters at 50% Off

Let me go to the guts here. A MERV 8 "equivalent" filter at Home Depot is between an FPR 7 and FPR nine. The price is around $10.97 per filter. A MERV 8 rated filter online is $half dozen.99. And if you buy 12 or more during an gild (which I recommend) then the price drops to $iv.99. (all pricing was every bit of Dec. 2014)

The price is the same regardless of filter size - that's the same at Home Depot or online.

Orders using Amazon Prime become free shipping. If you use this Amazon affiliate link I already have the sizes and MERV rating in the search box, y'all can simply adjust it to find what you need.

Hither'southward my stack of filters (iii years worth). The kids are into the game MineCraft. Charlotte's pretending to be a creeper. Kids beloved boxes!

Order an Unabridged Box

If you're trying to find time to stop your basement or anything in life for that matter you need to MAKE time where you can.

Buying air filters is a waste matter of time. You lot have to call back the size, go to the store, find the right make and do this iii or 4 times a year.

Instead you should go online, order a full box of filters (there are 12 in a box). At present your set for at least 3 years. You lot get the disbelieve and the complimentary shipping.

You're going to purchase filters, no matter what, so y'all might as well save time and money.

MERV 8, The Only MERV for ME

Employ MERV 8. You don't need anything higher (and more expensive) to protect your HVAC. If you have allergies, try a higher rating, just if y'all don't detect a deviation (fewer symptoms) go back to 8. Effort a dedicated air filter appliance instead.

Don't believe the hype of FPR. It's strictly a marketing turn. I'g non maxim Habitation Depot filters (Honeywell and Rheem) are bad. I just think they're mis-leading and over priced.

Past the way, the brand I buy is called 'NaturalAire'. Merely information technology really doesn't matter - the MERV rating is what matters.

You can purchase the next level downwards from MERV 8 but most of the websites I investigated and A/C guys I talked to said going lower than 8 could harm your HVAC unit. From what I tin can tell FPR four at the Hard disk is a level below MERV eight.

A Few Thoughts on Air Filter Life

All of the standard habitation air filters are rated for 90 days. Regardless of rating they are all set to work for most 90 days.

But! Not just any ninety days.

If information technology's spring or fall and you're not running the air very much and so your filter tin can go longer. It'southward just sitting there it's not collecting dust and junk.

To really know when y'all demand to change it you need to look at information technology. Does it await greyness to nighttime grey? Probably time to change it. If it's not greyish then don't alter it, even if it as been 90 days.

Of course, the contrary can be truthful. Nosotros had a long haired grey true cat (R.I.P. "Mouse") and our filters needed to exist replaced every 60 days or so during the heavy winter months.

Oh, and don't filibuster changing it because you want to save money. An A/C unit with a dirty filter uses more electricity to pull the air through - I did the math (yes, I'chiliad a big nerd) you're losing more money by non changing it.

3 Tips to make Filter Changing the Ultimate fun

I utilize this knife for other things, merely higher up all its my air filter knife.

I now have almost 12 years of house ownership experience. Then I like to call back I know a affair or two nigh how to practise shit around the house (pardon my language, but I'm erstwhile). Here are some tips I've learned along the way.

1. Dedicate a pocketknife just for filter changing. Here'south mine. I utilise information technology to cut open up the plastic wrapping, prior open the latch on the grate and sometimes pry out the filter if it'south actually stuck in in that location.

2. Protect your carpet by using the plastic or paper from the new filter to hold the dirty filters until your done. I have 3 to replace upstairs, this makes information technology easy.

3. If you buy the incorrect size (not that I did, I'm just sayin'… suppose you did) outline the size you need and use some scissors to cutting information technology. Works fine without the frame on ii sides.

Final Discussion on Air Filters

Buy them online and save about $60 on a box of 12 versus a retail store. For me, with 4 filters types (ane in the basement and 3 upstairs) I saved $239.36.

WOW! I shocked and saddened that I had and so much to say about air filters. But… it must be said. I'll counter it this weekend with a lot of foosball and Miller Lites to keep the universe from tipping over.

Leave a comment below if yous've got some more filter noesis or tips.

Cheers - Jason

I am an affiliate for Amazon. This means that if yous use the links in this commodity I earn a small committee This in no manner affects your price nor does information technology influence my stance of the company. The committee I earn helps support this website and fund my hereafter basement theater room. Just wanted to be upfront with you. Cheers for supporting the site!