Does AC filter 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 size air filter does my AC use?

The easiest way to identify your AC filter size is to remove the existing filter from its slot and examine the frame of the filter. Usually, the filter size is printed along the edge of the filter’s frame.

Can an air filter be too thick for AC?

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.

What happens if you use the wrong size air filter?

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.

How do I measure my AC filter?

Follow these 3 easy steps to measure your HVAC filter size:

  1. Step 1 – Measuring Length and Width (L x W). (If your filter is not a square, the smallest measurement goes first).
  2. Step 2 – Measure the thickness (Depth) of your filter from front to back.
  3. Step 3 – Put Your measurements together (L x W x D).

What happens if AC filter is too big?

What is the most common AC filter size?

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.

How thick should my HVAC filter be?

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.