Man buys air filter at Home Depot. Then he realizes he’s been buying the wrong ones this whole time – and it’s not just him

A Florida customer in Home Depot claimed that buying expensive high-efficiency filters could actually do more harm than good. He believes less is more.

His advice quickly sparked a debate and divided viewers.

What did the Home Depot customer say?

In the viral video that has more than 711,000 views, TikTok content creator Mike (@mike_904_) stood in the HVAC aisle at Home Depot while discussing air conditioner filters.

Mike argued that many homeowners spend extra money on high-rated filters believing they will improve the air inside their homes. According to him, that's not what the filter is designed to do. Instead, he claimed the primary purpose of an HVAC filter is to protect the equipment by keeping dust and debris out of the system.

Mike also said that using expensive, highly restrictive filters can make the HVAC unit work harder. According to him, this increases electricity costs and puts extra strain on the equipment, potentially shortening its lifespan.

Instead, he suggested using a basic filter that meets the manufacturer's recommendations. If someone wants cleaner indoor air, he recommended that they purchase a separate air purification system rather than relying on the HVAC filter alone.

Why did people agree?

Many viewers said they had heard the same advice from HVAC technicians over the years. “Hubby is hvac maintenance guy. Cheap filters only!! We change ours every 30 days,” one viewer said.

Others agreed that homeowners often assume a higher MERV rating automatically means better performance, without considering whether their HVAC system was designed to handle it.

“Real HVAC tech here. 45 years in the field. He is correct. Anything higher than MERV11 will def cause problems. In industrial and commercial we stretch out our indoor motors up to 30 years. This is accomplished by lower grade filters changed every 3-4 months. The higher the MERV rating, the faster you kill your indoor unit. As for germ etc. All a big fat lie,” added another viewer.

@mike_904_ Less is more with HVAC filters! #diy #dadsoftiktok #hvac #florida #moneysavingtips ♬ original sound – Mike

Why did others say the advice was misleading?

Not everyone was convinced.

Several commenters argued that the advice oversimplified how HVAC systems work. One viewer pointed out that many modern systems are more efficient. “This is outdated misinformation. Newer systems are not affected by the ratings. This really only applies to older, less efficient systems,” they said.

Others said the correct filter depends on the manufacturer's specifications, the size of the system, and whether the home has pets, allergies, or other indoor air quality concerns. “Lower is not better! I bought the cheapest one and it let so much dirt and dog hair through that my unit stopped cooling because it got dirty,” said one user.

Some also noted that using a filter with too low a rating may allow more dust to circulate through the home, even if it reduces airflow resistance.

What do experts say?

Research suggests the creator's advice is partly correct, but it doesn't apply to every HVAC system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says HVAC filters help capture dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, but the filter should be compatible with the system.

ASHRAE, which developed the MERV rating system, also notes that higher-rated filters create more resistance to airflow. If a filter is too restrictive for a particular system, it can make the unit work harder and use more energy.

At the same time, that doesn't mean expensive filters are always a bad choice. Many newer HVAC systems are designed to use higher-MERV filters. Experts generally recommend following the manufacturer's guidance rather than automatically buying either the cheapest or the most expensive option.

For people looking to improve indoor air quality, experts say portable HEPA air purifiers or whole-home air cleaning systems may provide greater benefits than relying on the HVAC filter alone.

Whether Mike's advice is right or wrong ultimately depends on the HVAC system in question. Some homeowners and technicians swear by basic filters. Yet, experts say there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

The viral video is a reminder that home maintenance advice on social media should be treated as a starting point.

Buzz News reached out to The Home Depot via email and Mike via TikTok direct message for comment.