Figuring out the correct air filter size for your home HVAC system can be daunting. From MERV ratings to dimensional measurements and how they affect the air quality in your home, it can feel like you are bombarded with a list of never-ending questions.
However, protecting your home and family shouldn’t be complicated. Kleenex can help you care for your home and demystify the world of air filter sizes to better understand how to measure your air filter, enabling you and your family to breathe easily indoors.
What is an Air Filter?
Before you dive into the nitty gritty of finding the right air filter size for your home, here’s a breakdown of how it fits into your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system and how they work together to keep your air clean.
When it comes to filtering out everyday containments, it’s critical to use an air filter. Found in front of the fan in your HVAC system, an air filter is the first line of defense that works to trap various particles, allowing your HVAC unit to circulate clean air back into your home.
Air filters are usually pleated or unpleated and made of the following materials:
- Paper
- Aluminium
- Carbon
- Foam
- Fiberglass
- Plastic
When it comes to filtering out everyday containments, it’s critical to use an air filter. Found in front of the fan in your HVAC system, an air filter is the first line of defense that works to trap various particles, allowing your HVAC unit to circulate clean air back into your home.
Air filters are usually pleated or unpleated and made of the following materials:
- Paper
- Aluminium
- Carbon
- Foam
- Fiberglass
- Plastic
What to Consider when Buying Air Filters
When choosing the right air filter for your home there are a few factors to consider that will influence your choice including:
Pleated and unpleated air filters offer different levels of filtration. Unpleated air filters are usually more affordable however, they need to be replaced more often and are only efficient at removing larger particle sizes from the air.
Whereas pleated air filters have a larger surface area that offers an increased filtration capacity. The larger surface area also allows for smaller, microscopic particles to be filtered out, making them better if you suffer from allergies or a respiratory condition.
It’s also important to consider the size of the air filter. Installing the incorrect air filter can negatively impact your HVAC unit as well as the efficiency of how well particles can be filtered.
An air filter, such as the Kleenex Elite Allergen Air Filter, has a MERV rating of 12. This means more microscopic particles are trapped and captured from your air and better air filtration. This captures dust, dust mites, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, smoke, smog, and more.
MERV Rating
It is important to assess the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of your air filter. Rating from 1-20, this system will help you determines how well a filter captures particles of specific sizes.The size of particles you want to filter
Air particle sizes are measured in microns ranging from 0.3 to 10 microns. Since MERV rating indicate the size of particles an air filter can capture, it’s important to consider the size of particles. Lower rated air filters will only be able to capture lower percentages of larger particles from 3.0 to 10 microns from the airPleated and unpleated air filters offer different levels of filtration. Unpleated air filters are usually more affordable however, they need to be replaced more often and are only efficient at removing larger particle sizes from the air.
Whereas pleated air filters have a larger surface area that offers an increased filtration capacity. The larger surface area also allows for smaller, microscopic particles to be filtered out, making them better if you suffer from allergies or a respiratory condition.
It’s also important to consider the size of the air filter. Installing the incorrect air filter can negatively impact your HVAC unit as well as the efficiency of how well particles can be filtered.
An air filter, such as the Kleenex Elite Allergen Air Filter, has a MERV rating of 12. This means more microscopic particles are trapped and captured from your air and better air filtration. This captures dust, dust mites, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, smoke, smog, and more.
What is the Standard Air Filter Size?
Although there are about 10-20 variations of air filter sizes, you might need a standard air filter size for your home HVAC system. The term “standard sized” simply means that the air filter used by your HVAC unit is easily found in stores, commonly used and mass produced.
Standard air filter sizes usually meet the measurements of 16x20x1, 20x20x1, 16x25x1, 20x25x1, referring to their height, width, and depth. This is important to be aware of as using an incorrect size filter can cost you in the future, resulting in:
- Expensive regular repairs and replacements because of increased wear and tear on your HVAC system.
- A higher energy bill as your HVAC system must work harder with the improper parts, using more energy.
- Improper air purification and low air quality can potentially negatively impact your health.
Making the right choice about an air filter size will not only save you money in the future but also maintain the quality of the air in your home, keeping you and your loved ones safe protected and healthy.
Standard air filter sizes usually meet the measurements of 16x20x1, 20x20x1, 16x25x1, 20x25x1, referring to their height, width, and depth. This is important to be aware of as using an incorrect size filter can cost you in the future, resulting in:
- Expensive regular repairs and replacements because of increased wear and tear on your HVAC system.
- A higher energy bill as your HVAC system must work harder with the improper parts, using more energy.
- Improper air purification and low air quality can potentially negatively impact your health.
Making the right choice about an air filter size will not only save you money in the future but also maintain the quality of the air in your home, keeping you and your loved ones safe protected and healthy.
How Do I Know Which Air Filter Size I Need?
Knowing which air filter fits your need is dependent on your home HVAC system. The section below will help you learn how to correctly measure your air filter to find the right size for your HVAC system.
These are some of the most common air filter sizes:
20 x 20 x 1
16 x 25 x 1
20 x 25 x 1
20 x 25 x 4
16 x 20 x 1
16 x 25 x 4
20 x 30 x 1
12 x 12 x 1
14 x 14 x 1
14 x 20 x 1
To find the correct dimensions, refer to the measurements printed alongside your existing one. Your current air filter should have the dimensions printed on the side stated in length x width x depth.
If you don’t have the dimensions, all you need is a tape measure and to follow these simple steps to accurately measure.
Step 1: Measure the length and width (for non-square filters the smallest measurement goes first).
Step 2: Measure the depth (thickness) of your filter from the front to the back.
Step 3: Put all three together to find your correct filter size (eg: length, width, and depth).
Nominal sizing refers to slightly less accurate sizing dimensions, using numbers that are rounded up or down to make it easier to keep track of sizing dimensions. Eg: 20 x 20 x 1 would be considered a nominal size.
The actual air filter size refers to the size dimensions of the filter which can sometimes be slightly smaller or larger than the nominal number. Eg: 19¹¹ x 19¹¹ x ¾ could be the actual size.
Using the nominal size can be handy when it comes to buying a filter as it’ll offer a less complicated way for you to find the size dimensions for your air filter.
Having a thicker air filter can often count in your favor as more square footage allows for better capture of particles, and higher air quality and may allow for longer periods between replacements. Filters come in thicknesses between 1-5 inches.
Even though a thicker filter can be beneficial, it’s important not to stuff a filter into your HVAC system that doesn’t fit as this could cause damage to it and affect the efficiency of the air filtration.
These are some of the most common air filter sizes:
20 x 20 x 1
16 x 25 x 1
20 x 25 x 1
20 x 25 x 4
16 x 20 x 1
16 x 25 x 4
20 x 30 x 1
12 x 12 x 1
14 x 14 x 1
14 x 20 x 1
How to Measure Air Filters
When finding the right size for your air filter, it’s important to note that your air filter doesn’t need to have an airtight fit in your HVAC system. However, you do need to be able to install and remove it with ease.To find the correct dimensions, refer to the measurements printed alongside your existing one. Your current air filter should have the dimensions printed on the side stated in length x width x depth.
If you don’t have the dimensions, all you need is a tape measure and to follow these simple steps to accurately measure.
Step 1: Measure the length and width (for non-square filters the smallest measurement goes first).
Step 2: Measure the depth (thickness) of your filter from the front to the back.
Step 3: Put all three together to find your correct filter size (eg: length, width, and depth).
Nominal vs Air Filter Size
You might have noticed that most companies will list two sets of dimensions on the side of their air filter. These are referred to as the nominal size and the actual filter size.Nominal sizing refers to slightly less accurate sizing dimensions, using numbers that are rounded up or down to make it easier to keep track of sizing dimensions. Eg: 20 x 20 x 1 would be considered a nominal size.
The actual air filter size refers to the size dimensions of the filter which can sometimes be slightly smaller or larger than the nominal number. Eg: 19¹¹ x 19¹¹ x ¾ could be the actual size.
Using the nominal size can be handy when it comes to buying a filter as it’ll offer a less complicated way for you to find the size dimensions for your air filter.
How Does Thickness Affect Air Filters
When it comes to finding the right air filter for your home, it’s not only the size and MERV ratings you should consider. Taking the thickness of your filter into consideration will make a big difference in its efficiency when it comes to removing particles from the air.Having a thicker air filter can often count in your favor as more square footage allows for better capture of particles, and higher air quality and may allow for longer periods between replacements. Filters come in thicknesses between 1-5 inches.
Even though a thicker filter can be beneficial, it’s important not to stuff a filter into your HVAC system that doesn’t fit as this could cause damage to it and affect the efficiency of the air filtration.
What Do Air Filters Capture?
As mentioned earlier, air filters capture multiple particles of various sizes including:
- Dust and dirt
- Pollen
- Pet hairs
- Fibers and lint
- Mold and mold spores
- Bacteria and microorganisms
Filters such as carbon filters also remove gasses like cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air in your home.
- Dust and dirt
- Pollen
- Pet hairs
- Fibers and lint
- Mold and mold spores
- Bacteria and microorganisms
Filters such as carbon filters also remove gasses like cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air in your home.
Grab the Right Filter for You and Your Home
Whether you’re trying to reduce pollen in the air to minimize allergies or remove pet dander from your home, Kleenex offers a range of air filters everyday air and allergies as they work to effectively protect your home and family.
By learning more about caring for your indoor air quality and which MERV rating is the best for your home, you’ll be able to measure and find out exactly which filter you need for your HVAC system.
Find Kleenex Air Filters at a location near you.
By learning more about caring for your indoor air quality and which MERV rating is the best for your home, you’ll be able to measure and find out exactly which filter you need for your HVAC system.
Find Kleenex Air Filters at a location near you.
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