Advertisement

Keep Cool with These Air Conditioner Filters

Keep your AC running smoothly by regularly replacing your filter
Air conditioning unit outside a home.
Keep your central air conditioner running efficiently by replacing its filter regularly. Pixabay

When you make your home in Florida, there’s one piece of household equipment that is more important than all the rest put together: the central air conditioning system. Keep that baby healthy and running, and all your other worries will melt away—if you’ll pardon the pun. One of the keys to a healthy AC system is regular filter maintenance – either replacing a disposable model or cleaning and reusing a washable filter.

The other important factor is the size of the filter. If you don’t use the exact dimensions your AC unit requires, unfiltered air will make it through your system and dirty the cooling coils, making the system run less efficiently.

Now that you understand the science, we’ve found several filters to make your life easier and keep your home cooler. Each filter is available in a large variety of dimensions, so be sure to verify that you’re ordering the right size for your air conditioner.

Advertisement
Filtrete MPR 300 20x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter, Clean Living Basic Dust, 6-Pack

For Pet Owners

This model is designed to be replaced every 90 days. Filtrete

These electrostatically charged filters are designed to clean a home’s air from floor to ceiling, trapping lint, dust and mold spores along the way. We love that these need to be replaced only once every three months.

FilterBuy 20x20x1, Pleated HVAC AC Furnace Air Filter, MERV 8, AFB Silver, 4-Pack

High Performance

This option can go three months between replacements. FilterBuy

These filters have 12 pleats per foot, which makes it ideal for home and commercial use because they trap 90 percent of airborne particles. If you have a pet or allergy sufferers in the household, it’s recommended that you change the filter more often.

AIRx ALLERGY 20x20x1 MERV 11 Pleated Air Filter - Made in the USA - Box of 6

Tackles Micro Particles

This model is built to outperform standard fiberglass filters and the washable types. AIRx Filters

This filter has the highest MERV rating of all the models we recommend. It’s built to outperform standard fiberglass filters and the washable types. Though it can go three months between replacements, it’s recommended to switch them out every two months for optimum efficiency.

Advertisement
WEB Eco Filter Adjustable, 6 Year

Rinse and Reuse

This option is washable and has a MERV rating of 7. WEB

You know, there’s no reason you have to toss your air filter every month—some filters are made to be washed and reused year after year. And washing is no real chore for these filters—just rinse it with a hose or wash it in the kitchen sink. You can use a mild dishwashing liquid if you accidentally went too long between cleanings.

Flanders PrecisionAire 10155.01202 E-Z Flow Air Filter, MERV 4, 20 x 20 x 1-Inch, 12-Pack

Luxury Upgrade

This spun-glass model features a chipboard frame with a metal retainer to make them more durable than common fiberglass options. Flanders

This is the standard grade of filter that has been commonly used in central AC systems for more than 50 years. They work well on household dust and debris, and they perform best if they’re changed out every 30 days. The metal retainer and chipboard frame makes them more durable than competing bargain filters.

Steve Spears is editor of Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. He is based in Orlando and counts St. Augustine, Key West and the Gulf Beaches among his favorite destinations in the state.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Email Newsletters and Special Offers

Sign up for Florida Travel + Life emails to receive features on travel destinations, event listings and product reviews as well as special offers on behalf of FTL’s partners.
By signing up you agree to receive communications from Florida Travel + Life and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may opt out of email messages/withdraw consent at any time.
Advertisement