Do Furnace filters have to be exact size?

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.

Are wider furnace filters better?

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.

Will MERV 16 hurt my furnace?

Filters within a MERV rating of 17-20 are almost never necessary in a residential home. A MERV rating of 13-16 is considered hospital level air quality, so it is unlikely your home needs any more than that.

What happens if you use the wrong size air filter?

Using The Wrong Size Air Filter Using the wrong size reduces the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. This dirties up your furnace which could affect its performance or possibly harm the system’s internal components, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

Should a furnace filter fit tight?

How tight should a Furnace Filter fit? 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.

Is a 4 furnace filter worth it?

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. If your system only fits a 1-inch or 2-inch filter, a high MERV rating could be detrimental.

What is the best type of furnace filter to use?

BEST OVERALL: Nordic Pure MERV 12 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filters.

Where is the filter in my furnace?

The furnace filter is usually located inside of the blower compartment, where the return air enters the blower compartment.

Will MERV 11 hurt my furnace?

Using an air filter with a MERV rating that’s too high is just as bad as using one that’s too low. In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that’s too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn’t too high for residential use.

What happens if you use the wrong size furnace filter?

When you use the wrong size air filter, or you install it incorrectly, the filter can’t effectively prevent dust from accumulating on the system’s motors and blowers. You’ll end up with a dirty furnace that can’t properly perform, and all of that debris could end up harming the system’s internal components.

What are the options in furnace air filters?

Types of Furnace Air Filters Fiberglass/Synthetic Filters. Fiberglass or synthetic filters are a cheap and disposable option for your furnace. Polyester Filters. Polyester filters are made using the highest quality materials available and are median-sized. Electrostatic Filters. Pleated Filters. HEPA Filters.

What are the best HVAC filters?

Top 10 Best HVAC Air Filters for Home in 2019 Reviews 10. Flanders PrecisionAire 84857.011418 NaturalAire Odor Eliminator Air Filter 9. Electrostatic Air Filter Replacement 8. Aprilaire 210 Air Filter for Air Purifier Models 7. E-Z Flow Heavy Duty Air Filter, MERV 6. True Blue Allergen 12x36x1 Air Filter, MERV

Is the furnace filter the same as the air conditioning filter?

If your house or home has central heat and air conditioning, then the answer is yes . Even if you have a separate cooling (HVAC or AC) unit and a furnace unit for your heating system, they both will normally share the same air-handler. Because that’s the same exact area where your air filter resides, both systems will share the same filter.

What is the MERV rating of a furnace air filter?

The most convenient MERV rate for houses and apartments’ furnace filters is 7-12. Although higher MERV can block more particles, it’ll also disturb the airflow in your furnace ducts. That’s because they tend to have small pores that force the system’s fan to work harder than it should to get the air through.