Should You Use Filters in Your Return Vents? Pros & Cons Every Homeowner Must Know!

• Do you need filters in return vents? Usually, a high-quality furnace filter is enough for most homes.
• When should you use them? Return vent filters help in dusty areas, homes with pets, or to keep ducts cleaner.
• Potential downside? They may restrict airflow and strain your HVAC system if not chosen wisely.
• What is the best filter type? Use low-MERV (4-6) filters in return vents to avoid overloading your system.
• Still unsure? In the full article, learn how to choose the right filters and prevent HVAC issues.

Have you ever glanced at the vents in your walls or ceilings and wondered if they need air filters? It’s a common question, especially for homeowners dealing with dust, allergies, or pet hair. Should you add filters to your return vents, or is your main HVAC filter enough? Let’s break it down and find out.

What filters should I use for air return in my room?

The kind of filter utilized for the return vent will rely upon particular requirements, such as if it is important to capture dust, animal dander, or allergens. A brief overview is provided.:

• Fiberglass Filters (MERV 1-4): These basic filters trap large particles like dust and lint. They’re great if you want to prioritize airflow over heavy-duty filtration.
• Pleated Filters (MERV 8-12) These offer improved performance. They can trap tiny pieces such as pollen, mold spores as well as animal fur. This represents a solid choice if you suffer from allergies or own animals..
• HEPA Filters (MERV 13+): These filters trap the tiniest particles, including bacteria and viruses. However, not all systems can handle the restricted airflow caused by HEPA filters.

A pleated filter with a MERV rating from 8 and 10 is a great choice for room air purifiers like bedrooms or living spaces. It balances good filtration with proper airflow. If you're looking for high-quality MERV filters, check out our MERV 8 Filters and MERV 10 Filters for cleaner indoor air.

Do I need both a furnace filter and a return air grill filter?

What Is a Furnace Filter?

The furnace filter is the primary filter in your HVAC system. It’s typically located at or near the air handler or furnace, where air gets pulled into the system for heating or cooling.

What Does It Do?

1. Protects Your System:
   Your furnace filter is there to keep all the gunk out—dust, dirt, you name it. It stops that stuff from messing with the important bits like the blower motor and coils. If you skip the filter, your HVAC could get all clogged up, run terribly, or even just quit on you.
2. Improves Air Quality:
   Essentially, this system keeps things comfy temperature-wise while also cleaning up the air by grabbing dust, pollen, and pet hair before sending it back out.

Why It’s Important:

• Your furnace filters keep your HVAC system running smoothly and the air in your place nice and clean.
  Basically, these filters deal with a ton of air flowing through your home, catching all sorts of stuff before it circulates.

What Is a Return Air Grill Filter?

The return air grill filter is an additional filter placed directly at the return vents—the points where the air gets sucked back into the HVAC system.

What Does It Do?

1. Keeps Ducts Cleaner:
   Return grill filter trap. They debris, pet hair, and larger particles before they enter the ductwork; return grill filters can help reduce buildup in the ducts and keep them cleaner over time.
2. Acts as a Pre-Filter:
   The pre-filters capture the larger particles before they reach the main furnace or AC filter. This first step reduces the strain on the primary filter, potentially extending its lifespan.

Why It’s Optional:

• Return grill filters can be helpful, they aren’t needed in every situation. If your furnace filter is high-quality and regularly maintained, it usually provides sufficient filtration for the entire system.
• If you use filters in your return vents, opt for low-MERV filters to prevent unnecessary strain on your system.

Know When You Need a Return Vent Filter

You want to consider adding filters to your return vents when:

1. If You Have Pets

• Why It Helps:
  Animal lose hair and skin cells. These can build up inside your heating, ventilation along with air conditioning system and its ductwork as time passes. Filters placed at the return vents capture this material before it goes into the system. This keeps the ducts in a more clean state and lowers the load on your furnace filter.
• What to Use:
  Opt for a low-MERV filter (MERV 4-6) in the return vent. These filters capture larger particles, such as hair, without significantly restricting airflow.

2. You Want to Keep Your Ductwork Clean

• Why It Helps:
  Return vent filters work as the first step of protection. They trap particles such as dust, dirt, in addition to various debris. The goal is to stop these things from settling inside your ductwork. With cleaner ducts there will be better airflow, a more effective system as well as maybe duct cleaning that does not need to happen as often.
• Cost Savings:
  Using return vent filters? Smart move! You'll likely save some cash down the line since you won't need duct cleaning as often.

3. You’re in a Dusty Environment

• Why It Helps:
  If your home is located near construction sites, busy roads, or other sources of outdoor dust, return vent filters can help trap additional debris that might otherwise clog your HVAC system.
• Improved Indoor Air Quality:
  Return vent filters help maintain cleaner air throughout your home, especially in high-traffic areas, by catching dust early.

When the Return Vent Doesn’t Need a Filter

In some cases, adding filters to your return vents could cause more problems than it solves. Here are the scenarios where you might want to skip them:

1. Your HVAC System Struggles with Airflow

• Why It Matters:
  Adding filters to return vents increases airflow resistance. If your system is already struggling due to undersized ducts, an older HVAC unit, or existing high-MERV filters, additional resistance could make it work harder, reducing efficiency and higher energy bills.

• The Impact:
  Overloading your system can result in uneven heating or cooling, increased wear and tear, and potentially even breakdowns.

2. You Can’t Commit to Regular Maintenance

• Why It Matters:
  Return vent filters, like furnace filters, require regular cleaning or replacement. If they become clogged and aren’t changed on time, they can unnecessarily restrict airflow and strain your HVAC system.

• Pro Tip:
  If you’re unsure you can keep up with the maintenance, it’s better to rely solely on a high-quality furnace filter to handle your home’s filtration needs.

3. Your Furnace Filter Is Already Doing the Job

• Why It Matters:
  Adequately maintained, a high-MERV furnace filter is often enough to handle your home’s air quality needs. Adding return vent filters in this scenario might not offer significant benefits and could complicate maintenance unnecessarily.

Do all HVAC systems have two filters?

No. Most HVAC filter systems possess only a single filter. It is located at the air handler. This single filter keeps the system running without issue. It also keeps the circulating air relatively clean.

However, some systems might have two filters:

• Large homes or zoned systems may have return vent filters in addition to the furnace filter.
• If you or a previous homeowner installed return vent filters for extra filtration, you must maintain two filters.

Air handler filter location and purpose

You'll typically find your air handler or furnace filter right on the unit itself, often in the return duct near the blower motor or inside the furnace cabinet.

Basically, it does two main things:

1. It keeps your HVAC system safe by catching dust and gunk before it can mess with the important parts.
2. It cleans up the air in your house by getting rid of stuff like dust, pet hair, and allergens.

Think of it as the "heart" of your HVAC system—it keeps everything running smoothly and keeps the air filter for home!

Return air vent filter sizes and options.

Not all return vent filters are the same size, so you must measure your vents to find the right fit.

• How to Measure:
• Remove the old filter (if there is one).
• Find the vent opening's dimensions: length, width, and depth.
• Standard Sizes: Common sizes include 16x20, 20x25, and 14x30. Custom-sized filters are available for unique setups.
• Filter Options: Choose based on your needs:
• Fiberglass for elemental dust and lint.
• Pleated for better filtration of allergens and pet dander.
• HEPA filter for high-efficiency air cleaning (if your system can handle it).

How to Keep Filters Working Their Best

1. Check Monthly: Look for dust and debris.
2. Replace Regularly:
• Return vent filters: Every 1-2 months if you have pets or allergies as two examples of why you need to change mor often.
• Furnace and AC filters: Every 1-3 months
3. Watch for Airflow Issues: If airflow feels weak, it could mean your filters are clogged up.
4. Ensure the filters that you install fit snugly in their frames to avoid airflow leaks.

Ultimately, should you install filters in your return vents?

Honestly, it really depends on your specific situation. Most homes do fine with just a standard furnace filter. However, if you've got furry friends, allergies acting up, or a dusty ductwork situation, adding return vent filters is a smart move for that extra bit of filtration. Just remember to keep them clean!

Still unsure if return vent filters are right for your home? Contact AC Filters 4 Less today to find the best filters for your HVAC system.  

Looking for top-notch filters that won't break the bank? We've got you covered!  Let us help you pick the right MERV rating so you can breathe easier and keep your system humming.

### About the Author  

William Konves, an experienced HVAC filtration pro, has helped tons of homeowners pick the right air filters. He’s learned from the best HVAC suppliers and experts and really knows his stuff when it comes to air filtration, MERV ratings, and making sure HVAC systems run efficiently. Basically, he makes sure homeowners get the best air quality solutions without messing up their systems.