Can You Add HEPA Filters in Your HVAC System? 

If you’re worried about the indoor air quality in your Windsor home, HEPA filters are a simple approach to purify the air your household breathes. 

HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air, is the gold benchmark for air filtration. These filters are often installed in medical centers, as they trap at baseline 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. These filters can remove microscopic pollutants from the air such as mold, dust and pet dander. 

As a result of their outstanding filtration capabilities, HEPA filters are thick and may reduce airflow in some home comfort systems. It’s essential to talk to a heating and cooling professional like Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts prior to installing one to avoid damaging your furnace. So, let’s go over whether or not you can install HEPA filters in your HVAC system. 

What Is a HEPA Filter and How Does It Purify Air? 

HEPA furnace filters were initially made to defend scientists against radiation as they developed the atomic bomb during World War II. These fiberglass filters are made from very thin mesh that catches many pollutants. In modern times, these filters are often used in medical settings, science labs and even residences. 

If you made an attempt to have a HEPA filter in your furnace, you’d more than likely have trouble having enough air from your vents. This is because your furnace’s blower motor isn’t designed to work with such a deep filter. 

What MERV Rating Can My Furnace Handle? 

Filters are classified by their MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The greater the number, the better the filter is at trapping small pollutants. 

Here’s how typical household filters stack up: 

• Flat filters—MERV 5. Captures pollen and dust mites. 

• Pleated filters—MERV 8. Traps pollen, dust mites and mold. 
• Box filters—MERV 13. Captures pollen, dust mites, mold and specific fumes. 

Greater ratings, ranging from MERV 14-20, are in use in commercial and medical facilities. A HEPA filter typically ranks at MERV 17-20. 

Normally, the largest rating you can safely have in your furnace is MERV 13, but we advise checking with a heating and cooling company like Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts prior to avoid damaging your furnace. 

HEPA filters in residential settings are often installed in a separate whole-home air filtration system. This unit is placed in your ductwork and works alongside your HVAC system. 

To increase filtration power, some models of these systems have UV germicidal lights and activated carbon filters. Germicidal lights have been shown to consistently eliminate certain viruses in homes under certain airflow circumstances. And activated carbon filters can wipe out most offensive smells, including cooking smells or tobacco smoke. 

What to Look for in a HEPA Filter for Your House 

There are a few different solutions that work with your HVAC unit—HEPA filtration systems, air filtration systems and media air cleaners. 

A HEPA filtration system provides the greatest effectiveness, with 99.97% efficiency for pollutants as minuscule as .3 micron. These filtration systems often have a multistep filtration process, with a prefilter for big particles, MERV 17 filter for the residual contaminants and carbon filter for odors. 

Air purification systems are typically the total package, with a hospital-grade MERV 16 filter, germicidal lights and carbon filters. A media air cleaner is just the filter and might come with carbon filtration add-ons. 

Some of these systems are created to work with distinct brands, while others work with all brands. Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts can help you figure out what will provide you the best results in your situation. 

Here are a couple of features to look for when considering a filtration system for your home: 

• Provides hospital-grade filtration (MERV 16 and up) 
• Removes pollutants, bioaerosols and odors 
• Provides filtration for your whole home, not merely one space 

• Doesn’t create ozone, which may result in respiratory sensitivity 
• Works with smart thermostats 

If you want to increase the indoor air quality in your home, the Experts at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts are here to provide support with a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. Your family’s comfort is important to us, so we’ll work with you to help you choose the best solution for your needs. Contact us at 226-773-3357 right away to get your appointment.