AprilAire 216 Replacement Filter for AprilAire Whole House Air Purifiers - MERV 16, Allergy, Asthma, & Virus, 20x25x4 Air Filter (Pack of 2)

Aprilaire offers four filter versions for my particular home HVAC system. I have now purchased and am in the process of using (for comparison) three of the four styles available (the two 213 rated versions, and the 216), two ordered from Amazon (the 213CBN and 216). (My own home had the model 210 originally installed. My HVAC service company installed the 213 model when service was most recently performed, and I have now decided to upgrade to the 213CBN and 216 models and have purchased them from Amazon).As stated above my personal choice is to use either the 213CBN, or the 216 version. The 216 has the ability to remove significantly more particles of all sizes down to 0.3 μm. The 213CBN includes activated carbon filter material for better removal of odors and VOCs. Both are quite a bit more expensive than either the 210 or 213, and have potentially shorter life (6 mo vs 12 mo). I feel that the added cost is well worthwhile - my home requires only one of these filters, and if I have to replace them somewhat more frequently in order to ensure the best possible filtration for air in my home, I consider that to be money well spent.The key difference between these filters from my point of view is this - any of the filters rated at MERV 13 or greater is going to provide a very high level of filtration, and the MERV 16 rated filter is really superior filtration. According to the EPA paper I reference below, anything above MERV 16 is considered to be a HEPA filter. Residential filters are only required to provide an efficiency of MERV 6 or greater (per ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2007).The filters that I received from purchasing here on Amazon were authentic OEM Aprilaire products in the proper packaging. I purchased from Amazon itself, not one of the third party sellers.Below are more details of the various models available, to help explain the differences:- 210 Clean Air Filter for Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifiers, MERV 11, For Dust--- least expensive (MSRP 52.99)--- described by Aprilaire as effective for removing airborne particles including dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and pet dander--- rated MERV 11--- filter life stated by Aprilaire as 'up to 12 months'--- MERV 9-12 typical applications** described as: "Superior residential, Better commercial buildings, Hospital laboratories"--- MERV 11 particle removal efficiency is not rated for particle sizes 0.3 to 1 μm, 65-80% for 1 to 3 μm, >85% for 3 to 10 μm (see reference below for source of this information)- 213 Healthy Home Air Filter for Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifiers, MERV 13, for Most Common Allergens--- slightly more expensive (MSRP 59.99)--- described by Aprilaire as effective for removing common airborne allergens including dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, pet dander and dust mites--- rated MERV 13--- filter life stated by Aprilaire as 'up to 12 months'--- MERV 13-16 typical applications include: "Superior commercial buildings, Hospital inpatient care, General surgery"--- MERV 13 particle removal efficiency is <75% for particle sizes 0.3 to 1 μm, > 90% for 1 to 10 μm (see reference below for source of this information)- 213CBN Odor Reduction Air Filter for Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifiers, MERV 13, for Odors and Most Common Allergens--- most expensive (MSRP 94.99)--- described by Aprilaire as effective for removing common airborne allergens + odors, including dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, pet dander, dust mites, pet and cooking odors, and VOCs--- rated MERV 13 (plus activated Carbon for odor and VOC reduction)--- filter life stated by Aprilaire as 'up to 6 months'--- MERV 13-16 typical applications include: "Superior commercial buildings, Hospital inpatient care, General surgery"--- MERV 13 particle removal efficiency is <75% for particle sizes 0.3 to 1 μm, > 90% for 1 to 10 μm (see reference below for source of this information)- 216 Allergy and Asthma Air Filter for Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifiers, MERV 16, for Allergy and Asthma Triggers--- most expensive (MSRP 94.99)--- described by Aprilaire as effective for removing up to 99% of allergy and asthma triggers, including dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, pet dander, dust mites, viruses, and the airborne particulates associated with tobacco smoke and smog--- rated MERV 16--- filter life stated by Aprilaire as 'up to 6 months'--- MERV 13-16 typical applications include: "Superior commercial buildings, Hospital inpatient care, General surgery"--- MERV 16 particle removal efficiency is > 95% for particle sizes 0.3 to 10 μm (see reference below for source of this information)** Ref: US EPA publication EPA 402-F-09-002, revised August 2009, "Residential Air Cleaners, second edition, A Summary of Available Information"(VOC = volatile organic compounds, organic chemicals such as formaldehyde that are released from paint and plastics into the air)

Way better than Home Depot! Great quality!

This filter is the real deal. I'm an environmental scientist with training in industrial and occupational health. I have an active particulate meter that I placed on the register when my house was smoked out from a cooking incident. This filter literally removed 100% of PM 10, PM 2.5, and PM 1.0 from the air. Air went into it at about 200 units PM 1.0, and comes out at 0. Nada. No leakage in the filter box and super easy install. The "self seal" design actually works somehow. This filter removes all cooking odors from the house, which to me is just crazy. It is what it claims to be. The amount of media on this thing is crazy. You do get what you pay for.Those reviews that are angry about dust in their homes...you really need to get rid of your carpet; your air filter is not the issue. Most homes do not have enough continuous air handling to counter the dust produced from pets, carpet, linens, rugs, etc. Carpet is a dust sponge and major producer itself. Vacuuming provides only an illusion of cleanliness when it comes to carpet.

In short these filters (216) work well - trapping anything that goes through your system bigger than a few microns (pollen, cat hair, etc). Consider these important points Aprilaire may not tell you about the Aprilaire 216 modelI don't see anyone discussing the last two hereAprilaire 216 Specific problems1. Problem: Clogging. Replace these often. Mine is 70% clogged after six weeks of Spring/Summer and totally clogged after twelve.2. Problem: Water condensation. Humid outside? A/C running all the time in that Summer heat wave? Look out for water buildup on the wall of the coil section of your unit (above the flame usually). My HVAC technician was standing there and pointed out water droplets forming up on the surface of my new Carrier central air system where the coil is located. Water was slowly dripping. "That water buildup is not normal. It is caused by that filter. It is not letting air pass by the coils at a rate the unit is designed for" . It's harmless but be aware". I put a towel down.3. Problem? Furnace fire hazard. When you inevitably forget to change the 216 filter it will clog up to a dangerous level. In Winter, when the furnace is running longer, the air can't get through the heat exchanger fast enough. Too much heat can lead to a house fire. Lookup the anatomy of a forced air furnace. One of the components is the "heat exchanger". The flames push their heat into the heat exchanger. The exchanger gets extremely hot. The only reason it doesn't start a dangerous situation (like a fire) is the giant blower nearby "forces" the air throughout your home. With that 216 filter, inevitably neglected and clogged, you might as well not have a fan. This alone is probably why my HVAC manual does not mention the Apriiaire 216 even though it is designed to accept this series.I use the Aprilaire 216 filter in the Spring and Summer (putting up with the water buildup)

Perfect!

These are great filters - take almost all allergens out of the air - well worth the $.They arrive on time as well.