Benefits of Using Accordion Style Air Filters in HVAC Systems

What Are Accordion Style Air Filters?

Accordion style air filters, also sometimes called pleated air filters, are a popular type of air filter used in HVAC systems for homes and buildings. As the name suggests, these filters have a distinctive pleated or accordion-like appearance that allows them to provide more surface area for filtering in a compact form factor.

Distinctive Pleated Design

The filter material in accordion air filters is pleated into tight V-shaped folds that expand like the bellows or reeds in a musical accordion instrument. This distinctive design allows a large area of filtering media to fit into a small space as the pleats expand out when installed in an air filter track or frame. The increased surface area enables superior particle capturing ability through greater airflow exposure compared to simpler flat panel filters.

Better Filtration Performance

Compared to basic flat filters, accordion style air filters offer much more filtration media to interact with the passing air flow. This allows them to filter out more airborne particles like dust, pollen, and other allergens from the indoor environment. Their design typically leads to lower airflow resistance as well which increases HVAC performance.

Most models utilize sturdy yet breathable materials like cotton blend fabrics, fiberglass, or synthetic non-wovens sandwiched between perforated metal or plastic grids. Adhesives bind the pleated media packs between the outer filter frame.

Reusable and Disposable Options

Accordion style furnace filters come in both reusuable and disposable models. Reusable varieties feature sturdy aluminum mesh or plastic frames with cleanable cotton media for repeated washing and reuse. Disposables have typically have lighter paper or synthetic media along with thinner cardboard framing for simple cost-effective replacement when dirty after 1-6 months of use.

Benefits of Accordion Air Filters

There are several notable benefits to choosing accordion rather than flat panel filters to improve indoor air quality:

Better Particle Removal

The sharply angled pleated design provides 50-100% more surface area than basic flat filters of the same dimensions. This increased exposure to airflow enables superior dust holding capacity and particle removal efficiency for cleaner indoor air.

Lower Airflow Resistance

While filtering more particles, most accordion filters actually have less airflow resistance compared to packed denser designs. The pleated style generally causes less friction and turbulence for smoother, less restricted movement of air particles.

Compact Depth

Though offering more media surface area, accordion filters maintain a very compact installation depth. Models usually fit into existing 1” filter slots and tracks used by flat air filters. No modifications are needed to upgrade to a pleated style.

Energy Savings

The combination of high particle removal with low airflow resistance enables HVAC systems to operate more efficiently. Accordion filters help limit clogs in equipment, ductwork, and registers while allowing fans and motors to move more air. This keeps energy costs lower.

Noise Reduction

Excessive airflow turbulence from cheaper, dense filter materials often increases bothersome fan and duct noise. Accordion filters dampen airflow and create less resonance for quieter indoor environmental ambiance.

Improved Equipment Life

By filtering out more dust and debris before it reaches critical HVAC components, pleated media filters help limit wear, corrosion, and other damage to fans, heat exchangers, and coils. This extends the operating lifespan of expensive equipment.

Accordion Filter Sizes and Dimensions

Accordion furnace filters come in a range of standard sizing options to fit various residential HVAC systems, air handlers, fan coils, and ventilators. The actual media area dimensions along with depth depend on required airflow rates based on equipment cooling/heating capacity and space square footage.

Typical Home Sizes

For smaller homes or apartments, 16x20x1 inch filters provide adequate airflow in the 300-800 CFM range. Medium 20x30x1 inch filters handle 800-1200 CFM for mid-sized households.

Larger 25x30x1 inch accordion filters work well for bigger houses with airflow rates in the 1200-2000 CFM range. Jumbo residential sizes like 20x40x1 and 24x40x1 inch may be needed for very large 5 ton+ AC systems moving 2000+ CFM of air.

Commercial Buildings and Facilities

Commercial HVAC equipment have higher airflow and pressure drop requirements. Common pleated media dimensions include 12x24x2, 16x20x2, 16x25x2, 20x20x2, 24x24x2 inches. Depths go up to 4-6 inches for specialized ultra high flow needs.

Finding Accordion Replacement Filters

It’s important to select direct replacement aftermarket filters with the exact dimensions needed to fit your existing filter slots. Using undersized media that bypass airflow leads to equipment contamination and failures.

Check your owner’s manual for original OEM filter sizes. You can also simply measure the length, width, and depth of the tracks or frames that hold your current filter. Bring these dimensions along when shopping to match new ones correctly.

Many home improvement stores carry common furnace filter sizes. Specialty HVAC distributors offer more choices in less common dimensions. Be sure to specify pleated media rather than basic flat panel replacements for better air quality and system performance.

FAQs

How often should I replace accordion furnace filters?

Most disposable pleated filters should be changed every 1-3 months. Check your model for manufacturer recommendations on ideal replacement intervals. Reusable filters can be washed and reused for years when maintained properly.

Can I clean and reuse disposable accordion filters?

Disposable filters use media designed for single use applications. Attempting to wash and reuse them will likely damage their structural integrity. Only clean and reuse specifically designed reusable or washable models.

Do accordion filters restrict airflow more than flat filters?

No, well designed pleated filters actually restrict airflow less than denser flat panel models. Their sharply angled media allows air to smoothly flow through while still filtering very effectively.

Will switching to pleated filters improve my indoor air quality?

Yes, accordion style air filters capture significantly more dust, allergens, and other contaminants from the air compared to basic flat panel filters. Their greater surface area and higher efficiency leads to cleaner indoor air.