In general, this is how often changing furnace filters needs to be done: For 1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, replace them every 9 to 12 months.
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.
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.
5-inch air filters are more expensive up-front. However, they can provide you a better service in terms of air quality, longer life, and energy cost savings. That means it’s more cost-effective than smaller filters.
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. … Higher MERV ratings work best when the filter is 4” thick or thicker because they trap extremely small particles, which means contaminants will build up quickly on the screen.
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.
The Thicker, the Better
Furnace filters can range anywhere from 1″to 5″ in thickness. In general, the thicker the furnace filter is the more efficiently your unit work and the longer it will last.
The furnace you have determines the furnace filter sizes used. However, homeowners usually can choose from different brands of furnace filter sizes.
As you can see the 2 inch filter will serve our needs MUCH better than the 1 inch filter. Even if the duct system is in good shape, using this filter will keep the system from struggling.
If the filter is too small, it won’t cover the entire space and may allow dust and dirt to flow past. If you’re not sure what size filter you need, check the manufacturer’s specifications or ask your HVAC technician for help choosing the right product.
If improving air quality is a priority for you, the depth of the filter doesn’t matter so much as MERV. … The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the contaminants a filter can trap—which also means it will clog faster.
In general, this is how often changing furnace filters needs to be done: For 1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, replace them every 9 to 12 months.
Change Your Filters Regularly
For example, a one inch furnace filter should be changed out every one to three months. 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.
Can You Stack Air Filters? Do not stack multiple smaller air filters on top of one another to fit them into a larger air handler. Installing multiple 1” air filters in a 2” slot, for example, can cause costly damage to your AC unit, as residential furnaces are not equipped to handle this level of airflow restriction.
We do recommend that everyone uses filters that have at least an 8 MERV rating. These filters will remove the majority of pollutants from your indoor air. If you have serious medical conditions making it difficult to breathe, you might want to get a filter with MERV 9-12 rating.
Answer: In terms of durability and filtration efficiency, 4 inches filters are way better than 1 inch thin ones. Question: How often to change furnace filter of both 1” and 4” sizes? Answer: In the case of thin filters like 1”/2” ones, you might need to change them every 1-2 months.
How tight should a Furnace Filter fit? When you remove the existing filter, take note of the dimensions printed on its frame. Your new filter will need to match this size for the system to run efficiently. It should fit snugly but not so tight that you can’t easily slide the filter in and out.
Most furnaces will have a V shape filter system; the system will take 2 filters. The filters go up into the plenum in a V shape. Make sure that when you re-install the top door, it goes over the furnace frame so it engages the safety switch. If not the furnace will not run.
MERV 5-8 Filters: MERV ratings of 5 to 8 indicate a medium-quality filter that’s sufficient for most homes. They trap particles as small as 3 microns, which include mold spores, animal dander, and the highly allergenic droppings of dust mites.
While the highest MERV ratings are the most effective for air quality, they can harm your HVAC system. A higher MERV rating means a higher resistance, which means less airflow. … If the MERV rating on your furnace is too high, it may force your furnace to work too hard and leave it vulnerable to damages.
It is possible that some especially tiny spores might get through a HEPA filter. However, the real problem with HEPA filters is mold can potentially grow on the filter surface. If it is not changed regularly, the filter can actually become the host surface for all the mold spores it has trapped.
When a furnace filter is placed backwards, the fibers can’t do their job properly. This means your furnace has to work harder to generate the same air flow, resulting in increased energy costs. Particles are also allowed to build up irregularly, making the furnace working even harder to draw air.
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