Understanding the Right Air Filter Size for Your Home

When it comes to air filters, size is a critical factor. Having the correct size air filter for your home is essential for keeping good indoor air quality and making sure that your HVAC system runs efficiently. If you're not sure what size air filter is suitable for your house, this article will help you determine if a 20x20x1 air filter is the right choice.

What Is a 20x20x1 Air Filter?

A 20x20x1 air filter is an average-sized filter that measures 20 inches by 20 inches by 1 inch. It's one of the most commonly used sizes in residential HVAC systems and can be found in many homes with central heating and cooling systems.

Measuring Your Air Filter Slot

Before buying a new air filter, you must measure the slot in your HVAC system where it will be placed. To do this, use a measuring tape to measure the width and height of the slot. You also need to measure its thickness which should range from 0.75 inches to 2 inches. Once you have all three measurements, you can decide if a 20x20x1 air filter fits into your HVAC system.

Advantages of Using a 20x20x1 Air Filter

Using a 20x20x1 air filter has several benefits. For starters, they are easy to find and relatively inexpensive compared to other sizes. They are also designed to capture particles as small as 3 microns, making them effective at trapping dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens from the environment. Additionally, they have low pressure drop which means they don't put too much strain on your HVAC system.

Disadvantages of Using a 20x20x1 Air Filter

The main downside of using a 20x20x1 air filter is that it may not be able to capture smaller particles such as smoke or bacteria. If you live in an area with poor quality of outdoor or indoor air or have allergies or asthma, then you may want to consider using higher MERV rated filters such as MERV 13 or higher.

Conclusion

If you're unsure what size of an air filter would fit best in your home, measuring the slot in your HVAC system where it will be placed is key. While using a standard-sized 20x20x1 air filter has its advantages, like being easy to find and relatively inexpensive, they may not be able to capture smaller particles such as smoke or bacteria. Therefore, if you live in an area with poor quality outdoor or indoor air or have allergies or asthma, then consider using higher MERV rated filters instead.