Can I use a 4 inch filter instead of 5? Going down in thickness by an inch shouldn’t be a big deal – for example,
you should be able to use a 4-inch filter instead of a 5-inch filter
. If you are considering a thicker air filter in order to improve air quality it may be better to focus on the MERV rating.
Do air filter sizes have to be exact?
In most cases,
you should be able to use the closest standard size
. For example, an air filter measuring 15-3/4′′ X 19-3/4′′ exact, could be replaced with one that is 16′′ X 20′′.
Does the thickness of a furnace filter matter?
Most air filters are 1 inch thick, but some systems can accommodate filters 2 to 5 inches thick. In our tests, we found that
the thicker the filter, the better it works and the longer the replacement intervals
. That means it’s better for you and for your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Can you put a smaller furnace filter in?
For most systems
you can use a standard sized filter within 5/8-in smaller than the air filter housing
. If you are not able to find a standard sized filter within that parameter, you will need to order a custom sized air filter.
Can I use a 1 inch furnace filter instead of a 4 inch?
While a 4-inch-thick filter is more efficient than a 1-inch filter, the right size depends on your furnace.
If you measure the filter slot, and it’s large enough to accommodate the thicker filter, then you can use it
. However, if the slot is less than 4 inches wide, you’re stuck with using that thickness.
Are air filters one size fits all?
For example:
16x20x1, 20x20x1, 16x25x1, 20x20x1 are all standard sized air filters
. Every unit has a specific sized filter which allows the it to perform correctly and efficiently. Most AC and HVAC units use standard sized filters, but some do require a custom size air filter to be purchased and installed.
What is the most common size air filter?
Currently, the most common size furnace filters are
10×20
. But should your system need custom sized air filters, note that we offer custom sizing ranging from 8 x 24 x 1 to 25 x 30 x 1.
Can I use a larger furnace filter?
If your current furnace only allows for furnace filter sizes with a depth of one inch, HVAC contractors can modify the furnace to accommodate larger sizes
. This does take work and time. However, homeowners get to use better furnace filter sizes that do more for home comfort.
Can an air filter be too thick?
If you get a filter with pleats that are too thick, your filter could get dirty quickly
. Thus, making your AC unit work harder than it needs to. A good benchmark to follow when considering MERV ratings is that if it’s more than 13, the pleats are most likely too thick for your filter.
Is a 4 inch air filters better than 1 inch?
The 4-inch thick air filter has a definite advantage over the 1” filter in terms of longevity, airflow and maximum filtering potential. Thus,
if it fits your furnace, then a 4-inch air filter is better than a 1-inch air filter in regards to improving air quality
.
What happens if I put the wrong size filter in my furnace?
The biggest concern when you use the wrong size air filter is that
it may not effectively prevent dust from building up on your HVAC system’s motors and blowers
. This dirties up your furnace which could affect its performance or possibly harm the system’s internal components, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
What if my air filter is too big?
If the filter is too big, then
it won’t fit into the filter slot and you won’t be able to put the cover back on
. This can cause dirty air to infiltrate the inside of your furnace (and home).
What happens if your air filter is too small?
An improperly sized air filter doesn’t do its job. When it’s too small,
it lets dust, mold, and other contaminants into your air vents
. These then spew into your air, providing air quality problems.
Are 5 inch furnace filters better?
Enhance Indoor Air Quality
Replacing your standard one-inch air filter with a pleated 5-inch filter can result in better air quality inside your home
. That’s because bigger air filters feature higher MERV ratings, leading to better filtration of pollutants and allergens.
How long does a 4 inch furnace filter last?
A three to four-inch filter can last for
six to nine months
. If you have a thick five to six-inch filter, it can last from nine to twelve months. By making sure that your filters are changed when they need to be, you can enjoy having a heating and cooling system that will work its best.
How do filter sizes work?
All filters have an actual size and then a nominal size.
The actual size is the exact dimensions with no rounding; whereas, the nominal size is the rounded dimensions of the filter
. This means that on 1′′ and 2′′ air filters, the nominal size does not include the undercut, and the actual size does include the undercut.
What size filter do I need?
Use a ruler or other measuring device to measure the exact length, width, and depth (thickness) of your air filter. Step 3: Round Up.
Round up each dimension to the nearest whole number to determine your filter’s nominal size
.
How do I know which air filter to buy?
To find the best air filter for your home’s needs,
check the filter’s efficiency
. Air filter efficiency is indicated by the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). Efficient filters have higher MERV ratings. The most important thing to remember about home air filters is to change them regularly.
Do furnace filters have to be exact size?
Since air filters are most often sold by their nominal dimensions, it is crucial to learn how to properly measure your air filter. When making your purchase,
you should order your filter by its nominal size, rather than its actual size
.
Can an air filter be too strong?
When it comes to high-efficiency filters, such as the HEPA filter, you can have too much of a good thing.
Too strong a filter can damage your HVAC system
.
Does a thicker air filter restrict airflow?
A thicker filter (4-5 inches) has more surface area and therefore allows more room for air to pass through. Thick filters, due to their increased surface area, also have other benefits like: Higher dust-holding ability (meaning
it can catch a lot without blocking airflow
)
Does air filter depth matter?
If improving air quality is a priority for you,
the depth of the filter doesn’t matter so much as MERV
. But be warned, if you go with a higher-MERV filter, you’ll want to make sure that you stick with the thicker, 4-inch option.
Are 4 filters better than 1?
A 1” filter’s material becomes clogged with contaminants quickly, reducing air flow through the HVAC system while eliminating effective contaminant removal.
A 4” filter provides more surface space to trap contaminants, facilitating proper air flow and continual contaminant removal.
How often should you change a 4 inch filter?
A good rule of thumb is to change 1-2 inch filters every three months, 4 inch filters
every six months
and 5 inch filters every 12 months. Signs your air filter needs changed: The filter is visibly dirty. Certainly if you can’t see the material of the filter itself, it should be replaced.
Do pleated air filters restrict airflow?
Because
they restrict airflow to your HVAC system
. Pleated, high-MERV filters definitely capture a lot of pollutants, but they also restrict the movement of air into your blower or furnace. As a result, the fan has to work harder to heat and cool your home, reducing efficiency.
What happens if you put a house air filter in backwards?
If you set your filter up backwards,
the normally collective end of the device will not face the air supply
. In effect, your filter will help keep debris in the air. This results in a clogged filter and improperly cleaned air when it reaches your lungs.
How tight should an air filter fit?
How Tight Should a Furnace Filter Fit? A furnace filter should fit
snug inside of your unit
. If it is too loose, then air will still come in even while your furnace is running. On the other hand, if it is too tight, you may not be able to remove the filter when it is time to change (if that’s what you decide).
Can the wrong filter affect AC?
The wrong air filter, however,
can lower HVAC efficiency and raise your heating and cooling costs
. If the filter is too dense, your heater or air conditioner may have to run longer to counter the increased air resistance.
Can I use a 1 inch filter instead of 2?
Can I use a 1 inch filter instead of 2?
The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at stopping the particles. This means that
a 1-inch filter with a high MERV rating could work just as well as a 2-inch filter with the same rating
. Most 1-inch filters are available in MERV ratings 1 to 12.
How do I know what size air filter to buy?
Check the old air filter for its size
Most air filters have their size printed on the side of the frame
. The length, width, and depth of the filter are measured in inches. For example, it will say something like “16x25x1”, where 16” is the length, 25” is the width, and 1” is the depth.
How do I know what size air filter my car needs?
How should an air filter fit?
Your air vent filter size should match
exactly to slightly smaller than the measured outside length and width of the frame around that opening
.
