Does AC filter have to be exact size?

You want your air filter to cover the duct opening. Measure the height and width of the duct opening and allow for a bit of overlap if you have room. This will be the exact size that you need to order for your new air filter.

Are all air conditioner filters the same size?

Unfortunately, that’s not the case – there are about 20 “standard sizes” for air filters, and none have the same measurements. Why is getting a correctly sized air filter so important? Because incorrectly sized (and incorrectly installed) air filters cause air seepage and decrease filter effectiveness.

What happens if you use the wrong size AC 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.

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.

Can I use a slightly smaller air filter?

Consequences of Using an Air Filter That is Too Small:
The filter can be sucked into the ventilation if it is much smaller than it should be. 2. Dust, allergens and pollutants will not be filtered from your indoor air, as the air is bypassing the filter and entering into the ventilation and is returned back.

Can I cut an AC filter to fit?

Some manufacturers can even customize the filters for you to fit perfectly when you or your HVAC team puts everything together. Simply put, yes, you can cut an air filter if you know what you are doing, and if the filters you use will not become too weak from the cutting.

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.

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

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).

How do I know which air filter to buy?



Simply, you need the filter size that fits in your air return. You can typically find that size on the side of the air filter that you already have in use. This size will be the nominal size, which means it is rounded from its actual size.

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?

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.

Can I run the AC without a filter?



Even though your air conditioning system will work without a filter, experts recommend against it because it can cause severe damage to your AC system and then you’ll need to pay for expensive repairs.

Can I use a different size furnace filter?

The thicker the furnace filter, the longer homeowners can go without replacing it. Typically, furnace filter sizes with a thickness or depth up to one inch need to be replaced once every one to three months.

Can I put a thinner filter in my furnace?

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.

Is AC filter same as furnace filter?

While many people refer to air conditioning and furnace filters as if they’re different, this is not the case. Your furnace and your air conditioning system use the exact same filter, so there’s no need to worry about purchasing separate filters for each piece of equipment.