Is it Okay to Use a Smaller Air Filter?

Dust, allergens, and pollutants can be kept from entering your indoor air if the air passes through a filter. If you leave a gap of 1, the air will bypass the filter and enter the vent, which will worsen the situation. It is possible to cut off an air filter if you know what you're doing and if the filter is not weakened too much from the cut. Using a thin air filter with a high MERV rate can also restrict airflow, leading to decreased efficiency and excessive wear and tear.

To find the best filter for your unit, consult the operating instructions or talk to your HVAC technician. A thicker filter is less restrictive and will allow for better flow of purified air. Some HVAC units cannot push air through HEPA filters or those with a high MERV rating, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations to avoid affecting system efficiency. This could cause dirt to build up in the oven, which could affect its performance or damage internal components, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

For more information on how to properly maintain your HVAC system, contact Ireland Heating & Air Conditioning. If you are looking for improved air quality, focus on the MERV rating rather than a thicker air filter. HEPA filters can block dust, mold, pollen, and finer dust such as coal or lead, which is beneficial if you live in an area with poor air quality. If your ducts deviate from standard designs, you may need to modify your air filter to get a perfect fit.

An extended media purifier is essentially a box full of filters that can be installed in the ducts for an extra layer of filtration once the air has left the unit. To determine the nominal size of the air cleaner, measure your air filter with a ruler or other measuring device and round down to the nearest integer. MERV is a scale ranging from 1 to 20 that was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers to measure how well a filter removes particles from the air. If you are particularly concerned about air quality, you can add an air purifier to your system.

It is important to make sure you have the right one for your unit.