Cycle Air “The World’s Most Sustainable HVAC Air Filter”

Living in Texas, we often go through HVAC air filters quickly. I’ve always been interested in a reusable option. In fact, many years ago, I bought one of those filters you can rinse off with a hose. Sadly, I quickly found it hard to clean, and it took too long to dry. As a result, it developed mold, and I stopped using it. Since then, I’ve been using single-use filters. I always feel bad throwing them out since I try my best to live a sustainable lifestyle. I’ve even upcycled a few of my single-use filters, but ultimately, more than 250 million HVAC filters get thrown away, polluting our earth with plastics. 🤯

Many people think you can recycle a single-use filter, but unfortunately, that isn’t true. The inside of a single-use HVAC filter contains fiberglass, mesh wire, paper, plastic, glue, and more. While all of these items can be recycled individually, when they are combined in one filter, it’s almost impossible to recycle. These filters then ultimately end up in landfills.

So, what other eco-friendly choices for HVAC air filter replacements are out there? Cycle Air features a machine-washable filter made from 100% recycled materials! The frame is made from 100% recycled HDPE, and the fabric is 100% recycled PP, which comes from water bottles that get reprocessed into polyester yarn. I’ve actively been using this filter since March 2024. After several months of usage, I feel I can give a detailed review. I am part of their referral system because I genuinely love this product and how useful it is. This review is solely my opinion, and I hope it helps you decide if this sustainable alternative is a good choice for you.

It arrives in a small box, which helps lower carbon emissions during shipping. The box is small because the frame comes unassembled. Inside, you’ll also find the mesh HVAC filter, which is rolled up, along with a paper envelope containing the hardware (just screws) to assemble the frame of the filter.

Not at all! The package comes with easy instructions. To assemble the frame, you just need to screw in a few screws with a screwdriver. Once the frame is assembled, you’ll add the mesh filter over the frame. It’s very similar to a pillowcase, with one end having a zipper to keep everything in place.

The filter has two different sides. One side is a ‘2D’ mesh that filters larger dust and debris. The other side is a ‘3D’ mesh with open perforations or ‘micro-pleats.’ These mesh micro-pleats remove dust, allergens, and pollen. These filters are rated at a MERV 7 under the ASHRAE 52.2 guidelines. To get further into details, they also have a static pressure drop of 0.17” WG, which basically means it’s ideal for use in a residential home and allows your HVAC equipment to operate efficiently while filtering. The mesh fabric is recycled PP that comes from water bottles reprocessed into polyester yarn. Eventually, when this fabric wears out (it has an 8-year lifespan), it can be recycled again through textile recycling.

In North America! More specifically, in Ontario, Canada. The owner, Scott, is super friendly and knowledgeable about everything HVAC filter-related! As someone who lives a sustainable lifestyle, it’s important to me to know who is behind the product I’m purchasing. I want to support businesses that are doing good for the earth. Cycle Air is definitely one of those businesses! In fact, they even include a little note with your order that says, ‘we hate repeat customers.’

Yes, it does! I’ve been using it for 6 months now. I often check on mine every month since I live in a hot climate. It clearly shows the larger dust particles it captures. I know it’s even capturing the stuff you can’t see, like allergens. My sinuses have improved since using this filter, so I’m confident it’s doing its job.

With a price point of $89, it may seem like a lot more than typical single-use filters on the market. However, if you’re purchasing a MERV 7 single-use filter, I was typically spending about $15-$20 a month at a big box store. In the 6 months I’ve been using this, I’ve already broken even on my investment. Plus, I didn’t need to drive to the store or have it delivered every month. This is an item that can be reused, and both the environment and your wallet will thank you! Plus, you can use my code AMBER10 for a little extra discount, which brings down the cost of this product to about $80.