The actual size of your air filter should be 0.25”-0.5” smaller than the slot or frame itself.
Do air 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.
What is the normal air filter size?
Standard air filter sizes include:
| 10X20 | 14 X 20 | 20X20 |
|---|---|---|
| 12X12 | 14X24 | 24 X 24 |
| 12X20 | 14X25 | 20X24 |
| 12X24 | 14X30 | 20X25 |
| 12X30 | 15X20 | 20X30 |
Are 2 inch air filters better than 1 inch?
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.
Is a 5 inch air filters better than 1 inch?
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 do I know what size air filter for my house?
Follow these 3 easy steps:
- Follow these 3 easy steps:
- Step 1 – Measuring Length and Width (L x W). …
- Step 2 – Measure the thickness of your filter from front to back.
- Step 3 – Put Your Measurements Together (L x W x D).
- It’s as simple as that – You are now ready to buy the right filter for your AC or Furnace.
What size air filters do apartments use?
If you’re looking for a reliable quality air filter, and you have no special circumstances, then we recommend starting with the MERV 8, or even a MERV 11. However, if you have a newborn baby or allergies, then we recommend at least a MERV 11, or maybe a MERV 13, depending on your needs.
Are air filters one size fits all?
Air Filter Sizes for Your Home Can Be Frustrating
Unfortunately, that’s not the case – there are about 20 “standard sizes” for air filters, and none have the same measurements. … Even worse, incorrectly sized air filters can place undue stress on your HVAC system, damaging it and increasing your energy bills.
What if my air filter is too big?
Air Filter Problems with Poor Fit
If you purchase a filter that’s too large, it won’t slide into the slot correctly. If the filter is too small, it won’t cover the entire space and may allow dust and dirt to flow past.
Can I use a 2 inch air filter?
The general best practice is to use the thickest air filter you can for maximum efficiency. … If your system only fits a 1-inch or 2-inch filter, a high MERV rating could be detrimental. A 1-inch filter with less surface space will get clogged fairly quickly and need to be replaced much sooner than a thicker filter.
How do I choose an air filter?
Size, MERV rating and material – these are the three primary factors used to pick the proper air filter for your home.
- 1) Filter Size.
- 2) Material & MERV Rating.
- Rating Average Filtration Efficiency.
- Be Careful About High MERV Ratings.
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.
Can I use a 2 inch filter instead of 4?
For the same length and width, you can get 1 inch, 2 inches, 4 inches and even thicker. And all of them will fit your furnace.
Do I need a 5 inch furnace filter?
If your house is one that has a lot of dust, you’ll need to change one and two-inch filters out every month, four-inch filters every two months and five-inch filters every three months. If anyone in your home has allergies, they will benefit from more frequent air filter changes.
Can I use 4 1 inch filters instead of a 4 inch filter?
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.