How often should you change a 5 inch furnace filter?
In general, this is how often changing furnace filters needs to be done: For 1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, replace them every 9 to 12 months.
What happens if you put the wrong size filter in your furnace?
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 happens if your furnace filter is too big?
If you purchase a filter that’s too large, it won’t slide into the slot correctly. If the filter is too small, it won’t cover the entire space and may allow dust and dirt to flow past.
Will a MERV 13 filter hurt my furnace?
MERV 13 air filters are the highest-rated air filters for home use. Any air filter with a rating higher than 13 will restrict air flow to the point of which could cause damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an added expense to fix it.
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. 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.
What happens when you don’t change furnace filter?
Short Cycling. If the air filter is not serviced often enough, it will eventually become clogged to the point that air cannot pass through it. When the furnace is operating, the lack of air flow will trap the heat in the system. Without a new air filter, the furnace will overheat every time it starts up again.
Is it OK to cut a furnace filter to fit?
Answering the Question: Is it okay to cut an air filter to fit? 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.
Is MERV 5 Good enough?
MERV 5-8 Filters: MERV ratings of 5 to 8 indicate a medium-quality filter that’s sufficient for most homes. They trap particles as small as 3 microns, which include mold spores, animal dander, and the highly allergenic droppings of dust mites.
Is higher MERV better?
The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the air filter is at catching harmful pollutants in your home’s air. MERV 9–12 (better): The best option for residential use. These air filters can remove pollutants as small as 1–3 microns, which includes particles like humidifier dust, auto emissions and legionella.
How long does a 5 inch filter last?
A good rule of thumb is to change 1-2 inch filters every three months, 4 inch filters every six months and 5 inch filters every 12 months. Signs your air filter needs changed: The filter is visibly dirty.
Is a 5 inch furnace filter 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.