A lot of maintenance goes into owning a furnace, and one important task is regularly changing the air filter. Depending on your furnace’s model, the filter size can vary. You might have an odd-size filter, making finding a replacement difficult.
Whether buying a new air filter or making your own, you’ll need to take some measurements. You can find or create an air filter that fits your furnace perfectly with the right measurements. These are some tips for measuring your furnace for an odd-size air filter.
How To Measure Your Furnace for an Odd-Size Air Filter
Let’s look at a step-by-step guide for measuring your furnace so you can find the perfect air filter:
1. First, you’ll need to locate your furnace. In most homes, the furnace is in the basement. Once you’ve found it, look at the unit’s size. You’ll want to measure the furnace’s height, width, and depth.
2. Next, you’ll need to find the size of the air filter. The size is usually on the side of the air filter itself. You can also measure the air filter if you can’t find the size. We get into this method more in the next section.
3. Once you have the measurements of both the furnace and the air filter, you’ll need to find an air filter that is the same size or slightly larger. The air filter must fit snugly in the furnace so that no air can bypass it.
4. If you can’t find an air filter that is the right size, you can always try a custom filter. A company like Remember The Filter can create a custom air filter based on your furnace’s measurements.
5. Finally, once you have the right air filter, it’s important to change it regularly. Depending on the type of air filter, you’ll need to change it every few months. For example, a disposable air filter will need replacing more often than a permanent one.
By following these steps, you can find the right air filter for your furnace.
Ways To Measure Your Air Filter Size
Now that we’ve looked at how to measure your furnace, let’s talk about measuring your air filter. As we mentioned, the size is usually on the side of the air filter. However, you can also measure the filter if you can’t find it.
When measuring the air filter, you’ll need to find the height, width, and depth. To find the height and width, measure the filter from top to bottom and side to side. To find the depth, you’ll need to measure how thick the filter is.
Once you have these measurements, you can start shopping for a new air filter that is the same size or slightly larger.
Nominal vs. Actual Size
When shopping for an air filter, you might notice that there are two different sizes: the nominal and the actual size. The nominal size is the advertised size of the air filter. The actual size is the true size of the air filter.
For example, a company might advertise an air filter as 20 x 20 x 1 inches. However, the actual size of the filter might be 19.5 x 19.5 x 0.75 inches. It’s important to know the actual size of the air filter so that you can be sure it will fit in your furnace.
Remember, when measuring your furnace and air filter, it’s important to use the actual size. Otherwise, you might end up with an air filter that is too small or too large.
Why You Might Need a Custom Air Filter
If you can’t find an air filter that is the right size, you can always try a custom filter. A company like Remember The Filter can create a custom HVAC filter based on your furnace’s measurements.
A custom air filter is a great option if you have an odd-size furnace or want an air filter different from what is typically available.
Custom air filters are also a good option if you’re looking for a specific air filter. For example, if you want an air filter that is higher quality than what is typically available, a custom air filter might be the way to go.
What Exactly Do Air Filters Do?
If you’re wondering why air filters are so important, let’s talk about what they do. Air filters remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. By doing this, they help to improve the quality of the air in your home.
Air filters also help to protect your furnace and air conditioner. Removing dust and other particles from the air helps to keep your furnace and air conditioner clean. This removal, in turn, helps to extend the life of your furnace and air conditioner.
Last but not least, air filters help to improve the efficiency of your furnace and air conditioner. When your furnace and air conditioner are clean, they don’t have to work as hard to do their jobs. They’ll use less energy, saving you money on your energy bills.
Types of Filters
There are many different types of filters available on the market. The type of filter you need will depend on the size of your furnace and the type of air you want to filter.
The most common type of air filter is the disposable pleated air filter. These filters use pleated paper; you can throw them away when they’re full. They work best in houses that don’t have a lot of pets or people with allergies.
Another type of air filter is the washable electrostatic air filter. These filters use mesh, and you can wash and reuse them. You might consider an electrostatic air filter if you have pets or allergies.
There are also air filters that are useful for specific purposes. For example, air filters remove smoke from the air. If you live in an area with many forest fires, you might consider a filter like this.
Finally, there are air purifiers. Air purifiers remove all airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria. An air purifier is a good option if you’re looking for the best possible air quality.
When measuring your furnace for an air filter, be sure to note the actual size and use those measurements to choose your filter. This measurement will ensure that you get an air filter that fits properly and does its job. Consider using a custom air filter if you have an odd-size furnace or want an air filter different from a standard one.
Remember The Filter is your go-to source for air filters; we can even create custom air filters for you. Whether you need a disposable pleated air filter or an electrostatic one, we have what you need. Check out our website today to learn more about our different air filters.
