A smaller filter won't cover the entire opening, allowing unfiltered air to bypass the system and circulate pollutants throughout your home. This can lead to poorer air quality, reduced efficiency, and potential strain on your HVAC system. Stick to the recommended size for optimal performance.
The size of your air filter really doesn't matter much, but it has to seal correctly to whatever piece it fits into so that all the air gets drawn in through the filter like you can't put a bigger filter in your smaller air cleaner. It won't work correctly.
Unpleasant Odors: Filters that are too small can become saturated quickly, leading to musty or stale odors circulating throughout your home. If pollutants are not adequately captured, they can contribute to unpleasant odors that linger in the indoor environment.
Getting an exact fit is crucial to having an effective air filter - the wrong size won't fit and will cause the filter to stop working properly. To ensure you get the right fit, take your current air filter out and check the size printed on the frame.
An air purifier cannot filter allergens, viruses, and unpleasant odors if it is not sized correctly for the space.
A purifier that's too small may struggle to adequately clean the air in larger spaces, while one that's too powerful for a small room could be unnecessarily loud and consume more energy than needed.
Review the Clean Air Delivery Rate
The higher the CADR, the larger the area the air cleaner can serve. It is important to select a room air cleaner specific for your room size. A general rule to consider is the “2/3 rule” – find an air cleaner with a CADR that is at least 2/3 the square footage of the space.
If your filter doesn't fit properly, it can interfere with the flow of air from the system to your home. Your air filter may also get sucked into the system, causing damage. Improper installation of the filter or the absence of a filter allows dust and other debris to build up inside the system.
When a home air filter size fits well it doesn't have to provide an airtight seal. It does, however, need to fit snugly in the air filter compartment with a slight bit of space around the edges. Being able to easily slide the air filter in place is another sign that the air filter is a good fit.
This might seem like a small detail, but cutting an air filter down to a smaller size can sometimes damage the structural integrity of the filter. This is especially true for higher-end filters. The filter size should be listed in the instructional manual that came with your HVAC unit.
If you install your filter in the wrong direction, air will have a hard time flowing through the filter's material and your air handler will have to work overtime to make up for the loss of airflow. This is not only a waste of energy, but it can also possibly damage your air conditioner or heating system.
A standard air filter size for home HVAC systems is often 20" x 20" x 1". However, the size can vary greatly depending on the specific system. Always measure your existing filter or check your system manual to ensure you get the right size.
When you place the air filter in the slot, and it doesn't glide in, it's too bid. This means you'll need to spend extra money replacing the filter and finding the perfect size. An oversized air filter can't be adjusted, so it will also need to be replaced if it's too tight for the narrow space.
A 1 inch filter, with its smaller surface area, may have limitations in effectively trapping dust, pollen, and other contaminants compared to a thicker 2 inch filter. This could result in reduced filtration efficiency and potentially lower air quality.
Small air purifiers can help reduce PM and VOCs as long as they are in a space that corresponds with their room size and CADR. Before purchasing a small air purifier, be sure to measure your room and read the air purifier's specific product details to make sure it will work efficiently in your space.
If the air filter is the wrong size, unfiltered air can slip around the opening. Dirt can build up on the mass airflow sensor. With the sensor clogged, the engine can no longer determine how much fuel to mix for proper combustion. This will trigger the engine light.
Is it OK to use a smaller air filter? No, it's not okay to use a smaller air filter. A smaller filter won't cover the entire opening, allowing unfiltered air to bypass the system and circulate pollutants throughout your home.
Gaps around the edges of a too-small filter will allow unfiltered air into your HVAC system, negating the filter's purpose.
actual size of an air filter can affect filter compatibility if it doesn't fit properly into the HVAC system filter slot. Ensuring the actual size aligns with your HVAC system's requirements, even when the nominal size matches, is important if you want system efficiency, proper filtration, and the best performance.
How Tightly Should My Air Filter Fit? If you have to bend, force, or jam your air filter into place: your filter is too big. On the other hand, if your filter does not come within 1-2 fingers' width of all four corners of your air system handler's slot or frame: your filter is too small.
The wrong air filter will not protect your engine. Its frame will not match up to the mounting points on your engine, leaving gaps where dirt and dust can slip by. When dirt gets into your engine, it mixes with the oil and can be deposited on the piston, cylinder walls, and any other surface.
You can still use a thinner furnace filter, but you need to make sure that it stays in place. This may mean moving your air duct system over so that the filter is properly braced. If you'll only be using this smaller filter for a very short period of time, you can add a bit of tape to the side to hold it there.
Quick Tips: Air Purifiers in the Home
Keep your device away from heat sources. Keep your device away from moisture or areas with high humidity. Place your device at least 6 inches from walls, furniture, or other items while in use. Place your air purifier near the most likely source of indoor air pollution.
Although an air purifier cannot remove particles completely, with regular use it can provide a significant reduction in household dust.