Your home’s HVAC system plays a significant role in your day-to-day health, relying on its filters to trap contaminants in their tracks. While many standard sizes and MERV ratings could suit your unit well, sometimes HVAC systems aren’t one-size-fits-all.
Most HVAC manufacturers pre-determine appropriate filter sizes based on the specifications of the finished machine instead of using a standard filter as a frame of reference. This notion can be a problem for homeowners as they scramble to find a filtering option that suits their HVAC units.
Custom air filters are not typical to come by at local stores, but you can find the options you’re looking for online. Use this step-by-step guide to ordering custom air filters online to gain further insight and assistance through this unique process.
How To Find Your Air Filter Frame Size
Before ordering custom HVAC filters, you’ll want to determine the appropriate size for the unit. Older HVAC systems will typically have a standard air filter size, but what if your home has a more modern HVAC system?
Take a look at the machinery and determine whether your unit has multiple unique spaces that may require custom-fit components. For example, if your system has a clearance of 10 inches between the ceiling and air grille, you may need to order a frame that has a clearance of 8 inches and allows room on each side.
You can use measuring tape or a cut segment of string to measure the clearance.
How To Measure Your Air Filter
Most air filters take length, width, and depth into consideration when calculating measurements. You can usually locate filter specifications on the label of the product; however, you can also measure them on your own!
Turn Off Your Unit
As a basic safety precaution, adjust your thermostat to turn your AC off before removing the used filter.
Measure Filter
Next, use a ruler or other measuring tool to determine exact measurements. Remember to measure length, width, and thickness.
Round Up to the Next Whole Number
Lastly, you’ll want to round each value to the nearest whole number to determine the nominal size of the filter.
How To Measure Air Intake
Measuring your air filter on your own may not inform you of its final nominal size. Consider measuring the interior dimension of the part’s air intake as well for a more complete picture.
Measuring air intake will require some extra steps; it’s important to first turn off your AC system manually prior to measuring. Using a measuring tape or snippet of string, measure the filter’s inner edge. When measuring the air intake, you’ll want to round the calculated value down to the next nearest whole value.
How Snug Should the Fit Be?
The air filter should be relatively snug. If you have to bend or alter the product in any way to make a filter fit, there’s a chance the filter is too small.
On the other hand, you don’t want to install a filter that allows more than one to two fingers width of distance around all corners. This would mean the filter is too small. The goal of the filter is to have all the intake air passing through the material.
Select Your Filter Material
Filter material will depend on the function of the material and your location. Typical residential HVAC systems will use a combination of paper, cotton, and polyester woven with cellulose. The best filter material for your system is dependent on the environment and air quality.
For example, standard air filters will use the cheapest, most prevalent materials, like paper. If you reside in more humid areas, aluminum and polyester blends will be the material for you. Having pets like dogs and cats will also require you to invest in stronger materials and change filters more frequently.
Generally, polyester woven with cellulose is going to provide the best filtration that captures dust and allergens.
Determine Your MERV Rating
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV determines how efficiently your filter can trap dust, debris, and other pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the more desirable and expensive the filter will be. If you have members in your household with allergies, it may be worth investing in a filter with a higher MERV rating.
Determine Your Desired Filter Construction
What type of environment are you in? Is it mostly humid weather/rainy seasons coming up? How many pets are in the household? Are there any members of the household with allergies or symptoms of allergies? You must consider all these factors when designing your custom filter construction.
Cost may be the ultimate factor; consider how often you may need to replace your filters. The general rule of thumb is to replace your filter every six months. Conversely, most HVAC companies will recommend every four months to avoid potential dust build-up or prevent the unit from overheating.
Receive a Quote and Determine the Number of Filters Needed
Using a professional custom air filter company is easy. Our team at Remember the Filter can help you determine the correct filter frame and filter sizes and provide a quote on custom specifications.
Based on your area and household, we can also give recommendations on how often to replace filters and other questions you may have. Standard HVAC systems will only use one filter, but custom AC systems or fans may add to the number of filters needed.
Assess the Age of Your System
One more thing to consider when ordering a custom air filter online is the age of your system. Older HVAC systems generally use a pleated air filter. This type of filter has something similar to an accordion design and is not ideal for custom air filters.
While the process may require a few extra steps, it helps to have a step-by-step guide when ordering custom filters online. Improving air quality in your home starts with optimizing your HVAC system’s performance. The easiest way to do this is to ensure the air filter is clean and dust free.
Keeping a well-maintained filter ensures your expensive HVAC systems work properly and that your family has fantastic air quality. Using these suggestions allows you to assess every factor and order the best product that will support your HVAC unit and improve your air.
Remember the Filter is a respectable company that offers you the ability to order custom filters for your HVAC unit. We also offer a Filter Fit guarantee, where we remake your custom filter in the event of a measuring mistake. For more information, please contact us on our website today.
