Are expensive air conditioning filters worth the money

There is not a particularly great answer to this question since everyone uses their space differently, & different needs require different solutions. For our customers, we recommend that they buy cheap, .20 air filters & replace them twice a year, along with using an electronic air purifier on the indoor unit. Usually, these sell for no more than $300, but they save a myriad of problems. First, the cabinet air filters, as they r called, r much, much larger & more effective than return filters. Some even have UV lights to kill bacteria. They also do not restrict airflow as much as a return filter. Also, they r less maintenance. Some never need to be replaced, the most laborious ones need to be cleaned once a year. You do not even need return air filters with that system, however they r still a great idea to catch large particles (hair, sawdust, etc.).

The more expensive pleated filters can be great, however, they r by far the reason for most of our service calls. The reason is, they restrict far too much airflow when dirty. A regular blue filter can be completely dirty, & still not freeze ur indoor coil. The same cannot be said about pleated filters. We recommend pleated filters be changed once a month during summer to prevent freezing the coil.

In our opinion, it makes more financial sense to buy the electronic air purifier & then buy the cheap filters. After u replace 35 filters, it pays for itself, & it is far more effective. No pleated filter can kill bacteria!

Hope it helps, good luck with ur system.

Some of those expensive filters are bad news. They do not allow enough air flow. You will do much more harm to your system restricting air flow than dust on the coil.

Good old fiberglass or pleated fiber filters are the best thing for your system.

Greg has the right idea pleated filters are the smart choice they are generally around three or four dollars and will do the best job of keeping your evap. coil clean.

I bought the electrostatic kind of filter. This filter cost me about $65. The good thing is that you just pull it out and back rinse it with a garden hose. I have also noticed less dust in my house since switching. d

i would look for a pleated filter(has ridges), anything beyond that will probably be unnecessary for you. Pleated filters have more surface area than a standard filter does, Check and change the filter before its clogged and your evap coil should stay clean for a long time!

TIP: write the date on the filter so you know how long its been in there and get in the habit of changing it every 3 months, its a good way of doing it.