Does Depth of Air Filter Really Matter?

When it comes to air filters, the depth of the filter can make a big difference in its effectiveness. A deeper depth can improve the life and efficiency of the filter, making it easier for air to enter and exit. Most large retailers, such as Walmart, Target, and Home Depot, offer air filters with a variety of options and brands to choose from. However, due to limited shelf space, they typically only sell the 10 to 15 most common sizes in stores. If you can't find your size in the store or need a custom-made air filter, online retailers are probably your best option.

It's important to note that you should never stack several smaller air filters one on top of the other to place them on a larger air controller. Doing so can cause costly damage to the air conditioning unit since residential ovens are not equipped to withstand this level of air flow restriction. 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. This means it's better for you and your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

The depth or thickness of the oven filter sizes determines what you can do to ensure indoor air quality. If a certain amount of dirty air passes through both, the number of “unclogged” pores will be greater in a thicker filter than in a thinner one. You may need to replace the filter more often if you have some very furry pets, for example, or if you live in an area with a lot of air pollution (such as from wildfires). As mentioned above, you can also choose a longer filter since there is no need to close any door or cover over the filter. An easy way to choose a replacement filter is to simply buy the same filter that you already use in your system. If the filter is not the right size, either too small or too large, air will flow around the filter rather than through it and, as a result, not all the air will be filtered.

If you have to clog the air filter to install it, try a different oven filter or a custom-sized air filter with a slightly smaller actual size. There are many options for buying air filters with convenience - either online, through your HVAC service company, or in-store. This is because larger air filters have higher MERV ratings, leading to better filtration of contaminants and allergens. Colorfil filters, originally created for NASA, help remove chemicals and odors at a molecular level that normal air filters can't. At MERV 13 - the highest rating you'll find for most popular residential HVAC filter sizes - you can trust that the filter will stop bacteria, smoke and other microscopic particles. When in doubt, you can always measure your air filter yourself with a ruler or any other measuring device.

But these are usually just filters with a rating of at least MERV 11 - the classification in which filters begin to trap most particles that are the size of common allergens. In conclusion, when it comes to choosing an air filter for your home or business, it's important to consider its depth. A deeper depth can improve its life and efficiency while also making it easier for air to enter and exit. It's also important to make sure that you buy an appropriately sized filter so that all of the air is filtered properly.

Ben Depauw
Ben Depauw

Internet geek. Friendly food guru. General tv nerd. General bacon geek. Award-winning tv lover. Amateur twitter aficionado.