Even though the most visible manifestation of allergy is a simple sneeze, this is not a condition to be taken lightly. People who suffer from allergies should take all necessary measures to reduce their exposure to potential triggers.
Although spring and summer are the favorite seasons of the year, pollen counts are spiraling out of control and allergy sufferers have a much harder time enjoying life. That’s why today we’re going to cover the reviews of the best oven filters for allergies because nobody likes uncontrollable sneezing and a runny nose.
What is the best furnace filter for allergies?
- FilterBuy 20x20x1 Air Filter MERV 8 | Best Furnace Filters For Allergies
- Filtrete 16x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter | Best air filter for home hvac
- 16x25x1 AC and Furnace Air Filter by Aerostar | Best furnace filters for homes with pets
- AIRx ALLERGY 16x20x1 MERV 11 Pleated Air Filter | Best hvac filters
- AIRx HEALTH 20x25x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter | Air filter comparison chart
1. FilterBuy 20x20x1 Air Filter MERV 8
Considered one of the best-pleated filters for allergies, the FilterBuy AFB filter is definitely popular with oven owners across the US. Due to their construction and MERV value of 8, these pleated filters are able to capture up to 90% of the airborne particles that you usually find in a home.
In fact, a MERV value of 8 is about the best choice for residential homes, as anything above that is most likely redundant. The pleated filter is a good choice for homeowners who have pets or suffer from allergies or asthma.
The filters are designed to last about three months, but this depends on how quickly the surface gets dirty. The first few times you might want to remove the filter every other month to see if it’s clean enough to still filter out contaminants.
- MERV rating of 8, ideal for homes.
- Capacity to capture 90% of airborne particles.
- Efficient in absorbing allergy triggers.
- Great for homes with pets.
- Available in a wide choice of sizes.
2. Filtrete 16x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter
If you’re looking for something a little more advanced (and by “advanced” we mean a higher MERV value), this Filtrete filter might work well. The filters are available in various sizes and are available in packs of two or more convenient packs containing four or six filters.
As advertised, these filters promise to reduce airborne bacteria and contaminants that can trigger your allergies. They are effective against contaminants such as dust, pollen, or pet dander. Due to the high MERV rating, they are effective against both small and large particles, such as fluff.
To install this filter you have to find the arrows that are attached to the edge of the filter. The arrows indicate the correct place to insert them into the furnace systems. For wall units, simply insert the filter into the slot, and for central units, insert the filter in the indicated position.
- Have a MERV value of 11.
- Can trap dust particles, pet dander, pollen, smoke, soot, and others.
- Works in oven racks and wall appliances.
- It can last up to three months before needing to be replaced.
- It is available in multiple unit packs.
3. 16x25x1 AC and Furnace Air Filter by Aerostar
The surface of the Aerostar pleated filter promises to trap allergens as fine as 0.3 to 1.0 microns. These filters are able to trap contaminants ranging from viruses, smoke, pet dander, dust, dust mites, fluff, pollen, and much more.
Their effectiveness will of course depend on the MERV rating you choose, as the filters are available in ratings of 8, 11, and 13. The filters are both easy to install and cost-effective, but they do need to be replaced every 90 days. If you’ve never tested these filters, check them every month to make sure they don’t need replacing sooner.
- Available in three different MERV rating options.
- Considered one of the best filters against allergies.
- Manage to catch almost any allergy trigger.
- Sizes are not always accurate, so double check before ordering.
4. AIRx ALLERGY 16x20x1 MERV 11 Pleated Air Filter
For allergy sufferers, this handy pack of six filters may be just what you need if you want to keep out allergy-related contaminants.
The AIRx filter is available in the following sizes: 14 x 14 x 1, 14 x 20 x 1, 14 x 24 x 1, 14 x 25 x 1, 16 x 16 x 1, 16 x 20 x 1, 18 x 20 x 1, 20 x 20 x1 and 20 x 25 x 1 in.
As advertised, these filters have a MERV rating of 11, which is the superior rating for people who need a filter that can capture the finest particles.
The AIRx pleated filters are about as efficient as a pleated filter with a MERV rating of 11 can be. It can clean and freshen the air in your home, just like it can protect your oven from clogging with all sorts of airborne particles that can damage the system.
Like any replaceable filter, these should be replaced every 90 days. As always, it is very important to check that your furnace is compatible with the filter’s MERV rating, as too high a rating can cause system overload and possible malfunction.
- Sold in a handy pack of six filters.
- High MERV value, good for absorbing allergens.
- Suitable for homes with pets.
- Available in nine different sizes.
5. AIRx HEALTH 20x25x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter
Manufactured and sold by AIRx, these MERV 13 filters measure 20 x 25 x 1 inch and are electrostatically charged to prevent bacterial growth on the surface of the filter.
They are sold in packs of six, so you can always rest assured that you have spare filters on hand. Due to their high MERV value, these filters are a good choice for homes with pets, for homes with a lot of people in them, and especially for people who suffer from asthma or allergies and need to breathe their air as pollution-free as possible.
The filters do their job very well by clearing the air of virus carriers, bacteria, smog, smoke, pet dander, mold spores, dust mites, debris, pollen, and fluff.
The construction of the filter provides a double-walled drink plate that is moisture resistant and therefore does not allow the formation of mold or mildew, which are a consequence of moist filter surfaces.
In addition to being resistant to moisture, the filters can also operate efficiently at temperatures as high as 225 degrees Fahrenheit, making them optimal for use in ovens.
Overall, they offer a really good combination between the efficiency of trapping allergens and the durability required from a filter intended to protect an oven.
- They are resistant to moisture and prevent mold and mildew growth on their surface.
- They can work efficiently at very high temperatures.
- Are effective against allergy-inducing contaminants.
- Sold in a pack of six.
Allergens filters are designed to protect you
As we’ve said many times before, filters were designed primarily to protect furnace filters from being drawn in through the pipes into the system for dust and contaminants.
The fact that they are now also able to filter the air that comes back into the room is just an added benefit. The truth is, regular oven filters aren’t really that efficient at trapping the tiny particles that can trigger your allergies, which means you’ll need to look for specialty filters that can (you’ll find some great suggestions in the second half of this article).
All HEPA filters are good against allergies
Wrong again. What really makes the difference is the MERV value of the filter. Each furnace filter has a MERV value that indicates how efficiently it can capture pollutants that cause allergies.
MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with the latter being the most efficient, due to the fine surface of the filter that can capture almost any kind of particle.
The higher the MERV rating, the better a filter is
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This is probably the most common filter-related myth we’ve encountered in our careers as good filter hunters.
It’s true that a high MERV rating indicates the filter’s ability to capture smaller contaminants, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that filter is for YOU. If you tune your oven to a filter with a much too high MERV rating, the oven will work harder to compensate for the volume of air limited by the fine surface of the filter.
It’s like leaving the fridge door open: the fridge motor goes overtime to compensate for the temperature rise caused by the imbalance between the degrees inside the fridge and the degrees coming out of the room itself.
This will eventually damage the motor, and this is basically what happens with a high-rated MERV filter that is not compatible with your furnace.
All filters last three months
When a filter has a high MERV rating, it means that the filter media has a higher density and is more efficient at capturing smaller particles. As the number of particles increases, the surface of the filter gets dirty more quickly.
HEPA filters will have to be replaced more often than paper filters. It is best to check your filters every month and see how clean or dirty they are.
This process is especially helpful if you’ve moved from regular filters to those more suitable for allergies.
Final Thought
The importance of MERV rating is crucial if you want to buy the best filter against allergies. Ordinary paper filters only trap larger particles and keep them away from your oven, but they are not effective against smaller particles, such as those that trigger allergies.
If you want to keep your system and your air free of pollen or bacteria, you need a filter with a finer surface and that is the main characteristic of filters with a high MERV rating.
The best filters for allergies are designed to trap small particles and are usually called HEPA filters (which are short for high-energy particulate air filters).
