When your HVAC filter needs replacing, you need the right size and rating delivered fast. For Halifax, Danville, and South Boston homeowners, finding quality filters that work in our humid summers and variable winters shouldn’t mean multiple store trips or guessing on Amazon.
Solutions Heating & Cooling’s online shop stocks the filters that actually work in Southside Virginia homes—the same ones we install for our service customers.
In this quick guide:
- Find your correct filter size in 60 seconds
- Choose the right MERV rating for your needs
- Order online with fast delivery to your door
How Often Should You Change Out HVAC Filters?
Replace standard 1-inch filters every 30-90 days based on your household:
Every 30 days: Homes with multiple shedding pets or family members with allergies
Every 60 days: Average homes (2-3 people, no pets)
Every 90 days: Single occupants, vacation homes, minimal use
Southside Virginia’s humid summers and high pollen seasons often require more frequent changes. Check monthly—if the filter looks dark gray or blocks light, replace it.
Expert Background: Solutions Heating & Cooling has served Southside Virginia homeowners since September 2015. Owner Shad Dortch and highly technicians stock the same filters they install in customer systems—quality options proven to work in our regional climate.
Find Your HVAC Filter Size (Quick Guide)
Where to Find Your Filter Size
Your filter size is usually printed right on the filter frame: Length × Width × Depth (like 16×25×1). Can’t find it? Grab a tape measure and measure your filter slot directly.
Common Halifax area sizes we stock include:
- 16×25×1 (most common in our region)
- 20×20×1
- 16×20×1
- 14×25×1
- 20×25×1
The first two numbers are length and width—order doesn’t matter since the filter fits either way. The third number is depth (usually 1 inch for residential systems).
Once you know your size, choosing the right filtration level takes just 30 seconds.
Choose Your MERV Rating (Simple Selection Guide)
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rates filter effectiveness on a 1-20 scale. This rating system, developed by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating [1], Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), helps homeowners compare filter performance. For homes, MERV 8-13 works best:
MERV 8 – Standard Protection
Best for: Most homes without special air quality needs
Captures: Dust, pollen, pet dander (70-85% effectiveness)
This is your cost-effective baseline filtration. If nobody in your home has allergies or respiratory issues, and you don’t have pets, MERV 8 handles the job just fine.
MERV 11 – Enhanced Protection
Best for: Homes with pets, mild allergies, or asthma
Captures: Smaller allergens, smoke particles (85-95% effectiveness)
This is the most popular choice for Halifax area homes. It catches what MERV 8 misses—like smaller pollen particles and pet dander—without overworking your system.
MERV 13 – Maximum Home Filtration
Best for: Severe allergies, respiratory conditions
Captures: Fine particles, bacteria (90-98% effectiveness)
MERV 13 provides hospital-grade filtration for homes. But here’s the catch: older systems (15+ years) may struggle with MERV 13 filters, causing reduced airflow and higher energy bills. Check with us before upgrading if your system’s getting up there in age.
Quick Tip: Take a photo of your filter size label and save it to your phone—you’ll always know what to order.
Important: Higher MERV isn’t always better. The denser the filter, the harder your system works to pull air through it. If your energy bills spike after switching to MERV 13, drop back to MERV 11.
MERV Rating Comparison Table
| MERV | Captures | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Dust, pollen, pet dander | Standard homes | $12-18 |
| 11 | Smaller allergens, smoke | Pets/allergies | $15-25 |
| 13 | Fine particles, bacteria | Severe allergies | $20-35 |
Questions about which rating your system can handle? Call (434) 404-4461 before ordering.
Filter Types: What to Buy Online
Not all filters are created equal. Here’s what you’ll find in our online shop and what actually works for Southside Virginia homes.
Pleated vs. Fiberglass Filters
Pleated Filters (Recommended)
These are what we stock and what we install for customers. Pleated filters have accordion-style folds that create more surface area for trapping particles.
- Better air quality protection (MERV 8-13)
- Last 60-90 days in typical conditions
- Cost: $12-25 per filter
- What we stock in our online shop
Fiberglass Filters (Budget Option)
You’ll see these at big box stores for $1-5. They’re basically just screens that keep large debris out of your equipment.
- Minimal filtration (MERV 1-4)
- Protect equipment, not air quality
- Cost: $1-5 per filter
- Best for: Temporary use only—like if you’re waiting for your real filters to arrive
Specialty Filters
Activated Carbon Filters: These remove odors and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Good choice for homes near highways or if you do a lot of cooking with strong smells.
Washable/Reusable Filters: One-time purchase but you’ve gotta clean them every 2-4 weeks. We don’t recommend these for allergy sufferers—they just don’t capture particles as effectively as disposable pleated filters.
Serving Halifax, Danville, South Boston, and Clarksville. Fast delivery available throughout Southside Virginia.
When to Replace Your HVAC Filter
Visual Signs Your Filter Needs Replacement
Check your filter monthly. Pull it out and look at it under a light. Replace immediately if:
- Filter appears dark gray or black
- Can’t see light through filter media
- Visible dust on intake vents
- Filter frame shows dust buildup
If you’re holding the filter up and can’t see any light coming through, it’s done. Time for a new one.
Performance Problems from Dirty Filters
Comfort Issues:
Your system’s telling you something when:
- Rooms heating or cooling unevenly
- System running longer without reaching temperature
- Reduced airflow from vents
- More dust settling on furniture between cleanings
Cost Indicators:
- Energy bills increasing without usage changes
- System cycling on and off frequently
A clogged filter increases HVAC energy consumption by 15% or more. That’s $15-40 added to your monthly energy costs for typical Southside Virginia homes. Spending $15 on a new filter beats paying $40 extra on your power bill. [2]
Health Signals:
- Increased allergy symptoms indoors
- Respiratory issues worsening
- More sneezing or coughing when the system’s running
Emergency Replacement Situations
Replace immediately if you notice:
- Ice forming on your indoor coil
- System shutting off repeatedly
- Burning smell when system runs
- Complete loss of airflow from vents
These aren’t just “change the filter soon” situations—these require immediate action. A completely clogged filter can damage your compressor or cause your coil to freeze up.
Ready to Replace Your Filter? Shop Filters Now
✓ Same filters we use in customer installations
✓ In stock and ready for delivery
Ordering Filters Online: 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Identify Your Size
Check your current filter frame or measure your filter slot with a tape measure. Most Halifax area homes use these standard sizes:
- 16×25×1 (most common)
- 20×20×1
- 16×20×1
- 14×25×1
- 20×25×1
Write it down or snap a photo. You’ll need these three numbers when you’re ordering.
Step 2: Choose Your MERV Rating
MERV 8: Standard homes ($12-18)
MERV 11: Pets or allergies ($15-25) ← Most popular
MERV 13: Severe allergies ($20-35)
When in doubt, go with MERV 11. It’s what we install in most customer homes around here.
Step 3: Order for Fast Delivery
Order directly through our online shop and we’ll ship your filters to your door.
Fast Delivery: Available throughout Southside Virginia
Stock up on filters and you won’t be scrambling when it’s time for replacement.
Not sure which filter’s right for your system?
Call (434) 404-4461 before ordering—we’ll help you choose the right one.
Seasonal Filter Strategy for Southside Virginia
Spring & Summer (High Demand Months)
Our humid summers and high pollen counts (March through June) clog filters faster than you’d expect. I’ve seen filters that normally last 60 days need replacement in 30 during peak allergy season.
- Check filters every 3-4 weeks during these months
- Consider upgrading to MERV 11 during peak allergy season
- Your AC runs continuously during heat waves, pulling more air through that filter
Spring pollen around here is no joke. If you’ve got oak trees in your yard, you know what I’m talking about.
Fall & Winter
Ragweed season (September through October) plus heating season changes what your filter’s dealing with:
- Monitor closely during ragweed season
- Holiday cooking increases indoor particles—all those Thanksgiving and Christmas meals put grease and smoke particles in the air
- Fireplace use affects air quality if you’re running one
Year-Round Maintenance
Set a monthly reminder on your phone to check filters. Takes 30 seconds to pull the filter and look at it. [3]
Keep spare filters on hand for unexpected replacements—especially during seasonal transitions when you’re switching from heat to AC or vice versa. Nothing worse than realizing you need a filter on a Sunday and having to wait.
Shop Quality HVAC Filters Online
Order filters sized and rated for Southside Virginia homes. Fast delivery available.
How to Order:
1. Choose Your Filter: Browse by brand, size, and more in our online shop
2. Place Your Order: Fast delivery throughout Southside Virginia
Still have questions or need help choosing? Call (434) 404-4461—we’ll help you select the right filter before you order.
Solutions Heating & Cooling
5037 Halifax Road Suite 14, Halifax, VA 24558
Phone: (434) 404-4461
Online Shop: heatandacsolutions.com/shop
Serving: Halifax, Danville, South Boston, Clarksville & Southside Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Filters in Southside Virginia
What’s the recommended replacement schedule for HVAC filters?
The recommended replacement schedule depends on your household situation. We recommend replacing standard 1-inch filters every 30 days if you have multiple shedding pets or family members with allergies, every 60 days for average homes with 2-3 people and no pets, and every 90 days for single occupants or vacation homes with minimal use.
Which filter offers better performance: MERV 8 or MERV 11?
MERV 11 offers better performance than MERV 8 for most Halifax area homes. MERV 11 captures 85-95% of particles including smaller allergens and smoke, while MERV 8 captures 70-85% of basic dust, pollen, and pet dander. We install MERV 11 in most customer homes because it catches what MERV 8 misses without overworking your system.
What are the signs that indicate my HVAC filter needs replacement?
Your HVAC filter needs replacement when it appears dark gray or black, you can’t see light through the filter media, visible dust appears on intake vents, or dust builds up on the filter frame. Performance signs include rooms heating or cooling unevenly, reduced airflow from vents, increased energy bills, or more dust settling on furniture between cleanings.
Resources
- https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/filtration-disinfection
- https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/air-conditioner-maintenance
- https://natex.org/homeowner/hvac-maintenance