The 4-inch thick air filter has a clear advantage over the 1-inch filter when it comes to longevity, airflow, and maximum filtration potential. If it fits your oven, then a 4-inch air cleaner is better than a 1-inch air cleaner for improving air quality. Most HVAC professionals will tell you that thicker filters perform better than the common 1-inch oven filters. Thicker filters, known as media filters, are generally 4 to 5 inches thick compared to the ubiquitous 1-inch filters that you can even buy at grocery stores. Most air filters are 1 inch thick, but some systems can accommodate filters 2 to 5 inches thick.
In tests, it was found that the thicker the filter, the better it works and the longer the replacement intervals. This means it's better for you and your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Many homes and businesses in Lexington use standard 1 media air filters; this is not the best option when it comes to air quality and HVAC system efficiency. If you want to upgrade to a 4-media air cleaner when your system has been using a 1-media filter, you will need the help of an HVAC technician. Therefore, if you have to install these thicker filters on a return grid, I would recommend having the return duct completely sealed and airtight.
Your HVAC technician can provide you with a new filter compartment or modify the existing one to accommodate the thicker filter. The thickness of an oven filter has a lot to do with its ability to trap polluting particles in the air, keeping them out of your home or business's indoor air supply. If improving air quality is a priority for you, filter depth doesn't matter as much as MERV. When comparing a filter 1 to a filter 4, you will find that using a coarser filter has several advantages. While a 4-inch thick filter is more efficient than a 1-inch filter, the correct size depends on the oven.
This upgrade is money well spent, which will improve indoor air quality and work to ease the burden that clogged air filters place on your HVAC systems. And the first thing I always checked was the oven filter, because a clogged one inch filter gets dirty very easily. And while media filters produce more airflow (less pressure drop) and clog less easily, you should be careful with the MERV rating. MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) is a rating that indicates how well an air filter can collect particulate matter in the air of your home. For more information on individual products that use filters, such as air purifiers, room air conditioners, and dehumidifiers, refer to their specific buying guides. Most HVAC technicians recommend changing 1-inch air filters every 30 days, while 4-inch filters can be changed every 3-6 months.
With more surface area to trap contaminants in the air, a 4-media air filter offers a longer lifespan than a 1-medium air filter.
