Can I Put Filters on My Air Vents?

Do Filters for Air Vents Work?

While filters for air vents can work effectively at decreasing dust, the biggest drawback is the restricted airflow, which causes your HVAC system to work harder. When your unit works harder it uses more energy and it can potentially cause components to overheat. More stress on the unit means you’ll most likely be facing a costly replacement sooner rather than later.

Depending on who you talk to, HVAC professionals are either opposed or hesitant to agree with the practice of adding vent filters for dust. Most professionals would simply advise that homeowners upgrade their air filters, especially if they currently have the lowest rated MERV filter.

By choosing an air filter with higher MERV, MPR, or FPR ratings, more particulate matter can be captured.  This can be particularly helpful when trying to combat heightened air pollution or asthma and allergy triggers. These air filters can be easily changed through the register in your home. It’s important to note that most newer HVAC units can handle up to a MERV 11 without additional stress, homeowners should always check their unit specifications.

What Can You Put In Your Air Vents To Keep Dust Down?

Adding dust vent filters is a technique HVAC specialists are either opposed to or reluctant to support. The majority would advise homeowners to replace their air filters instead, particularly if they are currently using the MERV filter with the lowest rating. Although air vent filters reduce dust, the main disadvantage of using a dust vent filter is that airflow is restricted, making your HVAC system work harder. Your unit uses more energy and might overheat when it operates harder. The increased stress on your unit may require it to need replacement sooner rather than later.

More particulate matter can be captured If you use an air filter with higher MWEV, MPR, or FBR ratings. If you’re trying to limit air pollution, asthma, or allergy triggers, a higher-rated air filter is more effective. Most newer HVAC systems can use up to a MERV 11 without added system stress and can be changed easily through your home’s register. Check your unit specifications for more detailed information or ask a qualified HVAC specialist how to reduce dust and improve your home’s air quality. 

Are Floor Vent Filters a Good Idea?

Floor vent filters offer short-term benefits but are generally not advisable as a long-term solution because they can disrupt airflow balance, energy use, and system performance. High-quality central filters and routine HVAC maintenance are more effective solutions for improving air quality. Here are some pros and cons of using floor vent filters:

Pros:

  • Air Quality: Traps larger particles, reducing dust and allergens.
  • Localized Filtration: Good for specific rooms needing extra filtration.
  • Protection During Renovations: Prevents circulating construction dust.

Cons:

  • Restricted Airflow: Limits vent output, doesn’t overwork the HVAC system.
  • Increased Energy Usage: Raises energy costs and reduces efficiency.
  • HVAC Strain: Causes wear and tear, and leads to potential repairs.
  • Maintenance: Requires frequent replacement to avoid clogging.
  • Limited Effectiveness: Not a substitute for fixing leaky ducts, proper HVAC filtration, duct cleaning, or system maintenance. 

Do Floor Return Vents Need Filters?

Floor return vents don’t usually need filters, because the main HVAC system filter should handle air filtration for your entire system. However, there are specific situations where adding filters to return vents may be useful. Here are a few times when they might be beneficial:

When Filters Might Be Useful:

  • Localized Dust Control: If some areas of your home produce more dust, adding a filter to the return vent in that area can limit debris from entering your system.
  • During Renovations: Return vent filters prevent construction dust and debris from entering your system.
  • Additional Protection: If you have pets or smokers living in your home, filters are an additional line of defense to trap hair and odors.

Drawbacks of Using Return Vent Filters:

  • Restricted Airflow: Filters in return vents can impede airflow, causing your HVAC system to work harder, reducing efficiency, and increasing energy costs.
  • Duplicate Filtration: The primary HVAC filter already handles filtration; so adding return vent filters is redundant.
  • Increased Maintenance: Return vent filters need regular cleaning or replacement to prevent clogs

Best Practices:

  • Depend on the Main Filter: A properly rated HVAC filter like MERV 8 to 13, won't disrupt airflow and is more effective. 
  • Regular Maintenance: Vacuum return vents periodically and replace the main filter as recommended.
  • Consult an Expert: Consult an HVAC professional If you think more filtration is needed. Ask for their advice.

While floor return vent filters may offer some benefits, they are generally unnecessary and can cause more harm than good by restricting airflow and overloading your HVAC system. Focus on maintaining a high-quality central filter and keeping your return vents clean to achieve the best performance.

How Often Should AC Vent Filters Be Changed?

Depending on usage, air quality, and whether you have pets or allergies, AC vent filters should be changed every 1 to 3 months. Clogs limit airflow and put stress on your HVAC system; regular replacement avoids this.

Key Considerations:

  • High Usage Periods: Filters might need to be changed more regularly during periods of heavy heating or cooling.
  • Dust and Debris Build-Up: If you notice increased dust accumulation, it’s a sign your filter might need changing more often. 
  • Pet Owners or Allergies: Homes with allergy sufferers or pets benefit from more frequent filter changes, roughly once a month.

For improved overall air quality and system performance, routinely clean your vents and keep your primary HVAC filter maintained. Vent filters can sometimes help with localized dust problems.

How Do I Know Which Vents Need Filters?

Filters are usually required since return vents draw air back into the HVAC system. You might not need extra return vent filters if your HVAC system has a good central filter already. Since supply vents force air into your living area, they rarely require filters, and doing so could restrict airflow. IF you think you need one due to dust build up, you could have leaky or dirty air ducts that need to be addressed which is why many HVAC professionals discourage using supply vents. Filters can temporarily help floor vents in dusty or busy areas catch debris but should be used sparingly. To enhance air quality without overtaxing your system, concentrate on keeping a clean and high-quality central HVAC filter and cleaning vents on a regular basis.

So, Can I Put Filters on My Air Vents?

There are two types of vents in your HVAC system, the return duct and the supply duct. The return duct sucks in air from inside your home, circulates it to the HVAC system to heat or cool it, and then the air is distributed back throughout your home through supply ducts.

Usually, your air filter will sit in your return vent so that your HVAC system is handling clean air, free of particles and debris that can affect sensitive parts like evaporator coils in an air conditioning unit. Then, by the time your air is either cooled or heated, it’s already been filtered and is then distributed back into your home to maintain the correct temperature.

Now since the air is being filtered already, there’s no need for a filter on a supply vent but you may be tempted to install them if you’ve started to notice that those vents have dust and debris build up. In this case, it may be a hint that you have a larger issue, such as leaky ducts, or dirty air ducts. By adding a filter on the supply vent, you’re merely putting a Band-Aid on an issue instead of resolving the main problem – hence why HVAC professionals discourage the practice.

Air quality is vital to home wellness, so ignoring larger issues can be detrimental to your health. It’s best to have an HVAC professional perform regular AC maintenance, check whether air ducts need to be cleaned, and identify if there are any leaky ducts rather than simply adding a filter to a supply vent.

Now that we’ve given you a long-winded answer on whether or not you can put filters on air vents, the short answer is to proceed with caution. Identify potential issues, ensure that your HVAC system can handle the added stress, and speak with an HVAC professional for an honest opinion on how to mitigate dust and improve air quality in your home.

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