20x20x1 Air Filter by Colorfil | Color Changing Filters Designed for Cat and Dog (2023)

FAQs

How long do Colorfil air filters last? ›

When testing our filters, we found that Colorfil filters can last 1-2 months over the summer and nearly 6 months over the winter before changing color in the same home.

Fortunately, most 20x25x4 air filters last between six to eight months. By that calculation, the average homeowners will not need more than two 20x25x4 air filters in any given year. In contrast, a one-inch air filter will need to be changed every two to three months.

How often do homeowners need to change their air filters to receive all the benefits? It really depends on the home and personal preferences. However, as a rule of thumb, because 20x25x5 air filters are stronger than most air filters, most homeowners only use two to three 20x25x5 air filters a year.

What is Colorfil's MERV rating? Colorfil filters are MERV 8, but they remove a lot more than just dust! Colorfil's color-shift technology captures and binds gas-phase chemicals and odors at the molecular level, which regular filters (even HEPA filters!) cannot.

Expensive air filters are made from higher-quality materials, last longer, are more efficient at trapping particles, and have a larger surface area to filter. This can lead to better indoor air quality and improved health.

When the thermostat's fan setting is set to “ON” the indoor blower will run 24/7, constantly circulating air over the air filter. So now the filter is constantly catching airborne contaminants, causing it to quickly get dirty. Furthermore, your energy bills are higher because running a blower nonstop isn't cheap.

The Case for Leaving Your Air Purifier on All the Time

Because they force air through their filters to clean it, leaving an air purifier on consistently is the only way to maintain the highest possible level of air quality in a room or home.

Confused with all the choices of 20x25x5 filters? You're not alone. Even though these filters carry the same nominal size, they range from only 4.25” thick to over 5.25” thick. The difference in these sizes is just enough to make them unique and not interchangeable.

If you don't change your air filter, it can quickly become clogged with dust and debris, preventing proper air filtration. This leads to a variety of issues for your HVAC system including system inefficiency, higher energy bills, inadequate air quality, and ultimately failure.

Can I use 20x25x5 instead of 20x25x4? ›

A: No, the 20x25x5 is an inch wider than the other one and would not fit in the slot made for the 20x25x4. The reverse may work, but would likely allow too much air leakage around the filter. Helpful?

Best overall: Aerostar 20x25x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter

This MERV 13 air filter from Aerostar features a pleated design made of 100% synthetic electrostatic material, which gives it high efficiency while permitting low air resistance, resulting in a quieter air exchange.

In general, the best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 8-10. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without making your energy costs rise significantly.

MERV 13 filters are more efficient at removing large particles from the air, while HEPA filters are more efficient at removing small particles from the air. MERV 13 filters can remove up to 99.97% of particles from the air, while HEPA filters can remove up to 99.99% of particles from the air.

Expensive air filters are made of better-quality materials than cheap air filters. They are often made of fiberglass, which is a porous material that can trap more dust and pollen than other materials like cardboard or paper. Fiberglass also resists moisture and does not tear as easily as other materials.

Honeywell filters FC100A1029 are considered higher-efficiency and are thus more effective in cleaning the air. They also last longer too, averaging about four to six months of use for a typical MERV 11 rated product.

More expensive air filters such as Pleated Residential filters will filter out dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold, and even bacteria, which can be worth the extra money, especially for those with severe allergies.

Air purifiers with a HEPA filter tend to be the best for filtering dust from your space. According to the EPA, HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of dust particles that measure 3 microns in diameter.

A dirty air filter won't work as well as one that's properly maintained. This means you'll need to replace the filter often, as recommended by the manufacturer. An air filter can only clean the air in your home while it's being used.

Contaminants in the Air: High levels of dust and debris put a strain on your unit, making your filters clog faster. An increase in the number of people in your home can also increase the amount of dirt being kicked up into your system.

Why is my air filter dirty after a month? ›

You have leaky air ducts

Leaks in your air ducts introduce dust and dirt from areas like your attic. The more dirt a leaky duct system brings into your home, the more dirt your air filter accumulates.

Your air filter is black because of soot. Your air filter is black because of soot. This sounds scary, but, it's usually no big deal. The good news is that, if your filter is black with soot, it means it's doing its job.

You can rinse the filter in water, tap excess dust off of it or remove some dust with a vacuum, but this can definitely damage the mesh of fibers that allows the filter to remove particles from the air. Even if the filter looks undamaged, some of the fibers will be broken or stretched out.

Here are averages that may help you understand how regularly you should install a new air filter at your residence: Vacation house or an individual occupant and no pets or allergies: every 6–12 months. Common suburban home without pets: every 3 months. A single dog or cat: every 2 months.

Wash the filter with vinegar and water.

Let the filter soak for approximately one hour, then rinse with clean water. If the filter is too large to fit inside a sink or bucket, use a garden hose to wash it off, letting the water run through the filter in the opposite direction of the airflow.

Air purifiers generally consume minimal energy, with most using less than 100W (between 20-50W on average). Air purifiers with Energy Star certification guarantee energy efficiency. A typical 50W air purifier running at maximum speed for 24 hours a day will cost around $3-4 per month.

The best place to put an air purifier is somewhere in your breathing zone. The closer the unit is to your head, the shorter distance clean air has to travel before it reaches you. In the bedroom, this usually translates to putting the air purifier on a nightstand or small table close to the bed.

The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short amount of time without hurting your system. That being said, running your AC without a filter for longer than 6-8 hours can cause serious damage to your AC system and significantly lower the quality of the air in your home.

Premium quality air filter = premium performance

So it makes sense that purchasing a higher quality air filter is a major contributor to higher engine efficiency and longer engine life. Purchasing a premium air filter for your car will provide optimal air flow, maximum engine performance and the best fuel efficiency.

Replacing your standard one-inch air filter with a pleated 5-inch filter can result in better air quality inside your home. That's because bigger air filters feature higher MERV ratings, leading to better filtration of pollutants and allergens.

Does it matter which air filter I buy? ›

The short answer is, no, they're not all the same. In fact, there are many different types of air filters available and choosing the right one can make a real difference in the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Filters are for one use only. After three months or so, you'll have to change it out for a fresh one. The only exception is reusable air filters. These washable filters are made out of more durable materials and can be cleaned.

Turn off the air conditioner: To prevent electric shock or allow air to pass through the ductwork without being filtered, turn off the air conditioner before replacing the filter.

Naturally, your air filters should be replaced in case of any damage. However, to maintain the highest possible performance of your car, it is recommended to replace your air filters at least every 12,000 to 15,000 miles (19,000 to 24,000 km).

A thicker filter (4-5 inches) has more surface area and therefore allows more room for air to pass through. Thick filters, due to their increased surface area, also have other benefits like: Higher dust-holding ability (meaning it can catch a lot without blocking airflow)

If the MERV rating on your furnace is too high, it may force your furnace to work too hard and leave it vulnerable to damages. In addition, you may not get the air velocity required to reach all parts of your home leaving inconsistencies in temperature.

To determine the best MERV rating for your home and HVAC system, start with the owner's manual. Look in the manual for the listed maximum MERV rating. Using a filter with a value higher than the recommended limit immediately affects the system's efficiency and will ultimately lead to costly future repairs.

Air Filter Types

Electrostatic filters provide the highest level of filtration for small particles.

HEPA Filters

With a MERV rating nearing 16, HEPA filters provide the highest protection for your home. They're able to remove even the smallest microns or airborne particles, including tobacco and bacteria. Those who live with allergies or other respiratory issues may benefit from HEPA filters the most.

Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months.

Is MERV 5 or MERV 11 better? ›

A home with no pets, smoke, or allergies will do just fine with a MERV value of 1-7. If you have pets or someone in your home has significant allergy problems, you may want to consider a higher MERV value, between 8-10. Homes with smokers or a wood-burning fireplace should have a filter in the MERV 11-13.

The disadvantage of the highest MERV rated filters is that they typically have a higher pressure drop. This means that the air flow through the filter is reduced, which can lead to decreased air quality. Additionally, filters with a higher MERV rating are not as effective at cleaning the air as low MERV filters are.

A MERV 11 air filter has a higher efficiency rating. Meaning, it can capture finer particles and clear more contaminants out of the air.

The rating is derived from a test method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) [see www.ashrae.org ]. The higher the MERV rating the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles.

A HEPA is the creme de la creme of air filters with an equivalent rating of a MERV 17 or higher. A HEPA filter at a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3 microns in size, but capture an even higher percentage of particles smaller or larger than that size.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are not MERV-rated, but a HEPA filter is typically considered as MERV 17 to 20, which is the highest group in MERV ratings.

Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.

A 1" pleated air filter must be replaced every 30-60 days. A 2" pleated air filter should be swapped out every 3 months. A 3” pleated air filter should be changed out every 120 days. A 4" pleated air filter should be exchanged every 6 months.

Since dust collector filters are continually pulse cleaned, they are less disposable than HVAC filters. They have a much longer life, and can last up to a year, despite processing constant high volumes of dust.

Is it safe to leave an air purifier on all day? Yes, it's safe to leave your air purifier on all day. But, you need to make sure that you clean the filters about once a month. The filters trap heavy amounts of dust and allergens which can be harmful to sensitive groups if they're not cleaned consistently.

Should you leave an air filter on all the time? ›

Since air pollution is a pervasive and continuous problem, it's best to leave your air purifier on all day. There are no perceived drawbacks to keeping your unit running all the time, and if the filters are changed on time it can help to reduce pollutants in the home.

If you don't change your air filter, it can quickly become clogged with dust and debris, preventing proper air filtration. This leads to a variety of issues for your HVAC system including system inefficiency, higher energy bills, inadequate air quality, and ultimately failure.

Wash your HEPA filter with warm water and allow it to dry if your model specifically states that water cleaning is safe. You can also soak your filter in hot water if it is extremely dirty. Clean non-washable, permanent HEPA filters using a vacuum to remove dust and debris.

If you notice unusual noises, in particular a coughing, popping or spitting noise, it suggests that the engine isn't getting enough airflow, which means your air filter needs to be replaced.

Poor Engine Performance

Engine misfires, rough idling and hard starts can all be traced to a clogged engine air filter. The dirty air filter restricts the air supply to the engine causing unburned fuel to form a soot residue that accumulates on the spark plug.

The answers is: it depends. Typical recommendations range from every 30 days for cheaper fiberglass filters (which often don't do a great job of filtering), to as long as 6 months for higher-end pleated filters. These estimates assume average use and take into account the type and size of your filter.

If you run a furnace without a filter for one night, it won't affect your HVAC system detrimentally. However, the longer you run your heating system without an air filter, the more contaminants will accumulate inside your heating unit's inner mechanisms.

Camfil APC is a division of Camfil, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and is a worldwide air filtration company.