Air Filter

When choosing an air filter to incorporate into your heating or cooling system for your home, you have a number of options. Air filters typically are available in four materials: cotton, foam, paper, and synthetics. Most experts agree that cotton is the best material because of its durability.

Today, many High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA) use synthetic fibers or combinations of cotton and synthetic fibers. Polyester is commonly used for air filters because of its heat-resistant qualities. Fiberglass is also used in many home heating and cooling systems. Fiberglass is inexpensive, easily disposable, and comes in a variety of sizes and densities.

Cotton air filters have the unique combination of allowing the highest airflow of all filter materials while maintaining the best filtration. Cotton's physical properties allow it to trap particles that are actually smaller than the filtration holes, which subsequently create an even denser force field against more contaminants. See the articles below to learn more about air filters.