Filter media is a mix of fiber and air, and it's often pleated. In fact, Filtrete™ Filter media is less than 15 percent fiber; the rest is air. This very low density allows air to easily flow through the media.

Filtrete™ Brand is a premiere 3M Brand helping improve indoor air quality for your family. For nearly 25 years, Filtrete™ Filters have delivered cleaner air to millions of homes, becoming a leader in residential air filtration. As a result, Filtrete is the most trusted filter brand in America*.

Filtrete™ Filters are designed with exclusive 3-in-1 technology from 3M that acts like a magnet to attract and capture microscopic particles that can easily pass through fiberglass or non-electrostatic filters. Your air is cleaned each time it passes through the filter.

Filtrete Air Filters imply that they are as good as air purifiers but are not in the same category or performance arena. Filtrete air filters are built to work with homes equipped with forced-air heating and cooling systems. Simply put, Filtrete is not the best choice for your home and the air quality inside of it.

filtration materials (examples: soil, gravel, potting soil, cotton balls, scrap material, charcoal, sand, woodchips, Styrofoam packing, charcoal briquettes) screening.

Air filter media can be made from paper, foam, carbon, aluminum, steel, fiberglass, or plastic. The performance of air filters is reported by the MERV rating, arrestance, dust holding capacity, dust spot efficiency, and MPPS.

Did you know that 3M™ Filters are designed to filter aerosols in hazardous environments? For dust, mists, fumes, smoke, mould, bacteria and more, some filters even have nuisance-level gas and vapour capabilities. These respirators help reduce exposures to certain airborne particulates.

The MPR system is the superior standard. 2

The best HVAC filters: Reviews & Recommendations

• Best overall: Aerostar 20x25x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter.
• Best for pets: Colorfil 20x25x1 MERV 8 Air Filter.
• Best for odors: Flanders 16x16x1 NaturalAire with Baking Soda.
• Best for allergies: AIRx Filters Allergy 20x25x1 MERV 11 Pleated Air Filter.

CR's take: The Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction 1500 MPR filter earns a Very Good rating for removing smoke, dust, and pollen from the air with the system running on a high fan speed, but it's only average when running on its lowest speed. In both cases, airflow through the filter is strong.

Reverse osmosis using a device like the APEC Water Systems Essence 5-Stage Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System is considered one of the best ways to filter water since it removes almost all contaminants including 99% of chlorine, taste, odor and VOCs, as well as toxic fluoride, sodium, arsenic, lead, ...

Spun fiberglass is an affordable and reliable resource for filtering air and trapping contaminants. Fiberglass is excellent for trapping large contaminants, such as dust and pet dander, and it often helps maintain superior air flow.

Sand and gravel make good water filters because they form permeable layers. When the sand particles are next to one another, there are tiny spaces between them. Water can pass slowly through these tiny spaces and some of the dirt particles get trapped.

Replace both the 3M™ Gas & Vapour Cartridge Filters: Once opened, maximum use time is 6 months (even if not used). The carbon will absorb contaminants from the general environment. When contaminant can be detected by smell or taste. Or in accordance with your established Filter Change Schedule.

Provided they are stored unopened in the original packaging, 3M cartridges and filters have a shelf life of three or five years (depending on the product) from manufacture date.

Filter efficiency and performance is often indicated by the filters' minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV rating. Standard MERV values range from 1 to 16, with the number serving as an indicator of how well the filter will remove material from the air. Higher MERV numbers indicate better filtration.