Discover what a pleated air filter vs. non-pleated air filter can offer for your home’s air quality and HVAC efficiency. Pleated filters capture finer particles and last longer, which is ideal for reducing allergens, while non-pleated filters are budget-friendly and offer better airflow, suited for homes without specific allergy concerns. Tap here to learn more about which filter best meets your air quality needs and system.
Pleated vs. Non-Pleated Air Filters:
Choosing the Right One for Your Home
An overview of the key differences between pleated and non-pleated air filters, and how to determine the optimal choice for your home's HVAC
system and air quality needs.
Understanding Air Filters
Fiberglass Filters
Budget-friendly option that
primarily protects HVAC equipment
by capturing larger dust particles,
but may not be effective for those
with allergies or asthma.
Pleated Filters
Trap smaller particles more
effectively, enhancing indoor air
quality, but come at a higher initial
cost compared to fiberglass filters.
Activated Carbon Filters
Specialized for eliminating odors
and harmful chemicals, suitable for
environments near busy roads or in
densely populated areas.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
2
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https://filterbuy.com/resources/what-is-a-pleated-air-filter-pleated-vs-non-pleated
Features of Pleated Air Filters
Pleated air filters are crafted with folded, pleated material,
allowing them to trap more particulates compared to standard
flat filters. They are also durable and require less frequent
replacement.
Discover more at https://filterbuy.com/resources/what-is-a-
pleated-air-filter-pleated-vs-non-pleated
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
3
Benefits of Non-Pleated Air Filters
Cost Savings
Easier Airflow
Non-pleated air filters are typically more
affordable than their pleated
counterparts, leading to lower initial and
replacement expenses.
Non-pleated designs allow for smoother
airflow, reducing strain on HVAC systems
and potentially enhancing their longevity
and efficiency.
Effective Trapping of
Larger Particles
While not as efficient at capturing smaller
particles, non-pleated filters excel at
trapping larger debris like dust, lint, and
hair, contributing to cleaner living spaces.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
4
Drawbacks of Both Filter Types
Filter Type
Drawback
Pleated Filters
Higher Initial Cost
Non-Pleated Filters
Shorter Lifespan
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
5
*My WordPress (2024)
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Maintenance Ability
Budget Constraints
HVAC System Compatibility
Air Quality Requirements
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
6
Pleated vs. Non-Pleated: Which is Better?
Higher values indicate better particle capture
80%
Non-Pleated Filter
90%
Pleated Filter
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
7
Key Advantages of Pleated Filters
Increased Filtration
Efficiency
Pleated filters have a larger surface
area due to their folded design,
allowing them to capture more
airborne particles like dust, pollen,
and pet dander.
Enhanced Indoor Air Quality
By trapping a wider range of
contaminants, pleated filters help
improve the overall air quality in
your home, benefiting those with
allergies or respiratory issues.
Extended HVAC Lifespan
Reduced debris circulation through
the HVAC system helps minimize
wear and tear, increasing the
system's longevity and efficiency.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
8
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Filter
Maintenance and
Lifespan
Understand the
maintenance
requirements and
expected lifespan of the
filter to balance air
quality, convenience, and
long-term costs.
HVAC System
Compatibility
Ensure the air filter you
select is compatible with
the make and model of
your HVAC system to
maintain proper airflow
and system efficiency.
Filtration
Efficiency
Consider the MERV
(Minimum Efficiency
Reporting Value) rating of
the filter, which ranges
from 1 to 20 and indicates
its ability to capture
airborne particles.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
9
Choosing the Right One for Your Home
An overview of the key differences between pleated and non-pleated air filters, and how to determine the optimal choice for your home's HVAC
system and air quality needs.
Understanding Air Filters
Fiberglass Filters
Budget-friendly option that
primarily protects HVAC equipment
by capturing larger dust particles,
but may not be effective for those
with allergies or asthma.
Pleated Filters
Trap smaller particles more
effectively, enhancing indoor air
quality, but come at a higher initial
cost compared to fiberglass filters.
Activated Carbon Filters
Specialized for eliminating odors
and harmful chemicals, suitable for
environments near busy roads or in
densely populated areas.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
2
https://filterbuy.com/resources/what-is-a-pleated-air-filter-pleated-vs-non-pleated
https://filterbuy.com/resources/what-is-a-pleated-air-filter-pleated-vs-non-pleated
Features of Pleated Air Filters
Pleated air filters are crafted with folded, pleated material,
allowing them to trap more particulates compared to standard
flat filters. They are also durable and require less frequent
replacement.
Discover more at https://filterbuy.com/resources/what-is-a-
pleated-air-filter-pleated-vs-non-pleated
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
3
Benefits of Non-Pleated Air Filters
Cost Savings
Easier Airflow
Non-pleated air filters are typically more
affordable than their pleated
counterparts, leading to lower initial and
replacement expenses.
Non-pleated designs allow for smoother
airflow, reducing strain on HVAC systems
and potentially enhancing their longevity
and efficiency.
Effective Trapping of
Larger Particles
While not as efficient at capturing smaller
particles, non-pleated filters excel at
trapping larger debris like dust, lint, and
hair, contributing to cleaner living spaces.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
4
Drawbacks of Both Filter Types
Filter Type
Drawback
Pleated Filters
Higher Initial Cost
Non-Pleated Filters
Shorter Lifespan
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
5
*My WordPress (2024)
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Maintenance Ability
Budget Constraints
HVAC System Compatibility
Air Quality Requirements
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
6
Pleated vs. Non-Pleated: Which is Better?
Higher values indicate better particle capture
80%
Non-Pleated Filter
90%
Pleated Filter
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
7
Key Advantages of Pleated Filters
Increased Filtration
Efficiency
Pleated filters have a larger surface
area due to their folded design,
allowing them to capture more
airborne particles like dust, pollen,
and pet dander.
Enhanced Indoor Air Quality
By trapping a wider range of
contaminants, pleated filters help
improve the overall air quality in
your home, benefiting those with
allergies or respiratory issues.
Extended HVAC Lifespan
Reduced debris circulation through
the HVAC system helps minimize
wear and tear, increasing the
system's longevity and efficiency.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
8
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Filter
Maintenance and
Lifespan
Understand the
maintenance
requirements and
expected lifespan of the
filter to balance air
quality, convenience, and
long-term costs.
HVAC System
Compatibility
Ensure the air filter you
select is compatible with
the make and model of
your HVAC system to
maintain proper airflow
and system efficiency.
Filtration
Efficiency
Consider the MERV
(Minimum Efficiency
Reporting Value) rating of
the filter, which ranges
from 1 to 20 and indicates
its ability to capture
airborne particles.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
9