Are Furnace Filters Universal? A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to furnaces and HVAC systems, one of the most important components is the air filter. Air filters keep incoming airflow clean and anyone breathing safe from harmful irritants floating around. Unfortunately, because furnace and HVAC manufacturers have different size slots for air filters, they are not universal. This means you'll need to find the right size air filter for your oven, as others will be too small or large to effectively clean the airstream of harmful particles. Universal air filters provide an air system with a protective layer that keeps harmful particles out and the flow of clean, fresh air through it.

The universal filters you use will be able to adapt to a wide variety of types of HVAC systems, but they have their limits and will eventually need to be replaced. Check the label, which should be on the side of the filter. The dimensions given are the nominal size of the filter. If the filter fits correctly, order a filter with the same nominal size from any manufacturer. Media filters are very easy to maintain and ideal for filtering bacteria and other small airborne contaminants.

Your oven and air conditioning system use the exact same filter, so there's no need to worry about buying separate filters for each piece of equipment. Because of their lower quality, disposable fiberglass filters need to be serviced and replaced more frequently than pleated filters. It's best to confirm what your MERV rating converts to to make sure you're using a safe filter for your oven. Thicker air filters are great for trapping dust particles and allergens, but they also greatly restrict the passage of airflow, so you need to make sure your HVAC system has a fan powerful enough to handle something like a MERV 16 filter. Some people need HVAC system filters that keep the air free of allergens and other contaminants, while others just need a basic filter to get the job done.

Round to the nearest inch to create the nominal filter size, which is the measurement you will use when purchasing a filter. That's why it's important to change the air filter all year round, since both the heating and cooling units take advantage of that air filter. While certain types of air filters come with reusable and disposable options, washable filters are an eco-friendly way to save money. Pleated filters are made of paper and polyester and do a good job of filtering out most household particles and allergens.Filtrete 4" oven filters are also pleated and electrostatic; however, the Filtrete 4" media filter, due to its additional depth, offers more surface area to capture particles. However, comparing MPR is a good way to see the differences in efficiency between Filtrete oven filters.

The pleats of these filters give them an advantage over creaseless options because they increase the filter surface area for better filtering. For this reason, these filters are not recommended for people who have respiratory problems and need a filter that improves indoor air quality. However, to maintain its optimum performance and help prevent possible malfunctions, it is necessary to change or clean the oven filter regularly.