No, HVAC air filters differ in quality and measurements, and some have specs that others don't. In most cases we advise installing the filter your HVAC manufacturer suggests pairing with your equipment.
All filters are assigned MERV ratings, which go from 1–20. MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value.
A bigger rating means the filter can grab more miniscule particles. This sounds great, but a filter that stops finer dirt can clog faster, raising pressure on your equipment. If your equipment isn’t made to work with this kind of filter, it can reduce airflow and cause other issues.
Unless you live in a medical facility, you likely don’t have to have a MERV rating higher than 13. In fact, most residential HVAC systems are specifically engineered to work with a filter with a MERV level under 13. Sometimes you will learn that good systems have been engineered to run with a MERV level of 8 or 11.
All filters with a MERV ranking of 5 should get many common nuisances, like pollen, pet dander and dust. Some filters say they can catch mold spores, but we suggest having a professional remove mold rather than trying to mask the trouble with a filter.
Sometimes the packaging demonstrates how regularly your filter should be replaced. From what we know, the accordion-style filters hold up better, and are worth the additional price.
Filters are made from different materials, with one-use fiberglass filters being the most common. Polyester and pleated filters trap more debris but may limit your equipment’s airflow. Then there are HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters.
While you may be interested in using a HEPA filter, keep in mind that's like installing a MERV 16 filter in your HVAC system. It’s very unlikely your equipment was created to work with level of resistance. If you’re worried about indoor air quality. This product works along with your HVAC system.