When it comes to air filters, size matters. The wrong size filter can cause your air conditioning system to work inefficiently, leading to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan for your unit. To ensure that you get the right size filter for your home, it's important to measure the air intake and examine the filter frame. Using a measuring tape, measure the length, width, and depth of the inside of the air filter vent.
Be sure to round to the nearest whole number to get the standard size. It is important to note that the actual size should be 0.25 inches to 0.5 inches smaller than the standard size. In most cases, the dimensions of the air filter will be printed on the side of the filter. The easiest way to identify the size of an air conditioner filter is to remove the existing filter from its slot and examine the filter frame. Usually, the filter size is printed along the edge of the filter frame.
Please note that the size shown in bold in the filter frame is the nominal size of the filter, which is likely to differ from your actual size. If the actual dimensions do not appear in small print on the filter frame, we recommend measuring the filter to check it. The filters are labeled with dimensions in three parts. The first number is its length, the second its width, and the third its depth or thickness. If you have to clog the air filter to install it, try a third-party oven filter or a custom-sized air filter with a slightly smaller actual size. Once you tell us the size of your filters just once, not only will you not have to remember when it's time to change them, but you won't have to remember those complicated sizes anymore.
For common brands of air conditioning systems such as Goodman, Lennox, Trane, Rheem York, Coleman, and Carrier, most standard air filter sizes will work. If the ventilation grille is on the roof, you may prefer a filter that has a slightly larger actual size, so that it doesn't fall on you when you open the vent. You can find the recommended filter size for your unit model here, in a table titled “Find your air conditioner and oven filter by brand, model number, and size”.You also don't want to place a 1-unit air filter in a 2-slot slot since this will cause air to pass through the path that has least resistance and if it's not of an appropriate size then it will circulate around instead of through it. To make sure that you get an accurate measurement for your next air filter purchase, measure both inside and outside dimensions of your current air intake. To ensure that you get an appropriately sized air filter for your home, round up any measurements taken from your current air intake or existing filters to their nearest inch. This will help keep your energy bills low and extend your unit's lifespan.
