This review looks at a few important 16x20x1 furnace filters that you can use in your HVAC system. We also discuss important things that you can consider when choosing a furnace filter to improve the Indoor Air Quality of your home.
Best 16x20x1 Air Filter
1. AIRx ALLERGY 16x20x1 Air Filter
If you are looking for a perfect furnace filter that can help you fight allergic reactions, the AIRx ALLERGY 16x20x1 Air Filter may be the ideal choice. This furnace filter effectively traps all microorganisms that may be found in the air in your home. Thus, it can successfully protect people who are sensitive to some allergens from reactions.
The surface of this furnace filter is pleated. The pleating of the strands of the furnace filter increases the surface area dramatically. Because of this feature, the air filter can trap massive amounts of contaminants. Furthermore, the MERV rating of 11 is enough for trapping small and large contaminants.
There are six pieces of the furnace filter in every pack. This means that you do not have to think about purchasing another furnace filter quite often. However, remember that this furnace filter does not last if it is indicated on the packaging. You may be forced to replace it within a month or two and not necessarily after three months.
Pros
- Perfect for fighting allergies because it can trap microorganisms
- It has a pleated surface for excellent performance
- There are six pieces in every pack
Cons
- The furnace filter does not last for a long time
2. FilterBuy 16x20x1 Air Filter
One of the most notable features of the FilterBuy 16x20x1 Air Filter is its ability to trap 90% of the contaminants. Large contaminants in the house include dust particles, smoke, pollen, and small hair particles from your pets.
Such contaminants can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people and reduce the Indoor Air Quality of your home. Therefore, it is necessary to have a furnace filter that can remove such contaminants.
The surface of the FilterBuy 16x20x1 Air Filter is electrostatically charged. This means that it can attract and trap contaminants and keep your home clean and comfortable. Besides, the MERV rating of 8 is enough to keep your indoors free of small and large-sized contaminants.
The only notable drawback of using this furnace filter is that it gets contaminated quite fast. You will be forced to replace it quite often, even if your home is not particularly contaminated.
Pros
- The furnace filter can remove 90% of large-sized airborne contaminants in the house.
- The furnace filter is eco-friendly because it is made from recycled materials.
- The air filter is quite sturdy: it is designed to ensure temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons
- The furnace filter gets contaminated quite fast
3. Filtrete 16x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter
Large contaminants, including dust, pollen, and smoke, may cause many problems in your home. Apart from lowering the general Indoor Air Quality, such particles may cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. Therefore, you need a furnace filter that can attract and trap such contaminants.
The Filtrete 16x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter is designed to attract and trap large airborne contaminants. Once correctly installed, this furnace filter can attract and trap up to 90% of large contaminants, including dust and pollen. It will, therefore, keep your indoor air clean and free of such allergens.
You may have to get a different furnace filter with a higher MERV rating than the Filtrete 16x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter. A MERV rating of 5 is not enough for trapping a high percentage of microparticles that measure from 0.3 to 1.0 microns wide. Nevertheless, it is enough for removing large amounts of large airborne contaminants in your home.
Pros
- Ideal for removing large-sized airborne contaminants, including dust and pollen
- The surface is electrostatically charged to attract and trap contaminants
- There are six pieces in every pack for your convenience
Cons
- The 5 MERV rating is relatively low
4. 16x20x1 Reusable Air Filter
The 16x20x1 Reusable Air Filter is designed to help you fight off small and large airborne contaminants. It is made up of layers of electrostatically charged material.
The surface is exceptionally successful in attracting and trapping various contaminants, including dust, smoke, and pollen.
You will enjoy using this furnace filter because it comes in packages that contain one reusable frame and four refills. This means that you will effectively overcome the trouble of purchasing new furnace filters quite often if you opt for those that are not reusable.
The only significant drawback of using this furnace filter relates to its longevity. Although it is indicated that it can last for three months, this is not often the case. You may have to turn to the replacement filters sooner than this period indicated on the packaging elapses.
Pros
- The packaging contains one reusable frame and four refills
- Effective for fighting off small-sized contaminants
- A high MERV rating of 12 is sufficient for the removal of up to 90% of contaminants
Cons
- It does not last for as long as three months
5. FilterBuy 16x20x1 Air Filter
The FilterBuy 16x20x1 Air Filter is designed to fight off large contaminants, including smoke and dust. Large airborne contaminants can drastically interfere with the Indoor Air Quality of your home if they are left to remain in the air.
Furnace filters that have relatively low MERV ratings are pretty successful in trapping and removing large furnace filters. You will trust your FilterBuy 16x20x1 Air Filter when it comes to removing such large airborne contaminants.
This furnace filter is perfect for maximizing the airflow in your home. You will not want furnace filters that inhibit the flow of air in your HVAC system. The lower the MERV rating, the higher the ability of the furnace filter to allow the air to flow freely.
There are only four pieces in every packaging of this furnace filter. Some brands of furnace filters with similar MERV ratings come in packaging that contains even six pieces.
Thus, you will have to bear with the trouble of having to replace your package quite often. Nevertheless, this is a minor issue, considering the performance of this furnace filter.
Pros
- Effective for maximum airflow
- Perfect for trapping large and stubborn contaminants
- Built to last for a long time of about 90 days
Cons
- There are only four pieces in every packaging
6. Filtrete 16x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter
The Filtrete 16x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter is ideal for fighting off-odors and other unpleasant contaminants, including allergens. Allergens, including dust and pollen, trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them.
Small contaminants from your bathroom and kitchen can cause nasty odors in the home. Therefore, you need a powerful air filter to trap such small and unwanted contaminants.
Installing and maintaining this furnace filter is a breeze. Just as is the case with conventional furnace filters, you do not have to do anything to keep them in good working condition. Once you have installed them correctly, you only need to monitor their performance to replace them when they are full.
However, you may be forced to purchase a new package or replace your Filtrete 16x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter sooner than later. They hardly last for 90 days, as the manufacturer indicates on the packaging.
Pros
- Perfect for fighting off allergens and odors
- Easy to install and maintain
- A high MERV rating of 12
Cons
- The furnace lasts for a relatively short time
What is the Actual Size of a 16x20x1 Furnace Filter?
Like that any other furnace filter, the actual size of a 16x20x1 furnace filter varies from what is indicated on the packaging. In truth, the furnace filters measure slightly less than the figures that are indicated on their packaging.
Generally, you will have to reduce all the measurements indicated on the furnace filter packaging by about 0.5 inches to get their actual sizes. Therefore, the actual size of a furnace filter that is marked as measuring 16x20x1 may be 15.5×19.5×0.5.
The slight difference between the indicated and actual measurement of a furnace filter is not a big problem. If you stick to the size indicated on the packaging, you will invariably find it easy to replace your furnace filter. If you fail to get the indicated size of your furnace filter, you will experience problems when replacing it.
Are Washable Air Filters Useful?
Washable furnace filters are helpful if you consider the following facts: they last longer than conventional air filters, and they use static electricity to trap contaminants.
Washable furnace filters have layers of electrostatically charged metal. The layers of the washable filters successfully attract and trap contaminants that are also electrostatically charged.
Washable filters are utterly ineffective against large contaminants and small ones that do not have an electrostatic charge. Notably, spores do not have an electrostatic charge. Therefore, washable furnace filters can not trap spores.
Washable furnace filters do not require frequent replacement. You need only to vacuum and wash them to get them back into working condition. This can save you the cost of often purchasing new furnace filters for replacement when the existing ones become saturated.
Pleated versus Non-pleated Air Filters
Pleated furnace filters are more effective than non-pleated ones. The pleating of the strands increases the surface area of the furnace filter. This means that the filter can trap higher amounts of contaminants than those which are non-pleated.
Non-pleated air filters can still trap vast amounts of contaminants. However, their surface areas are less than those of pleated ones. This means that non-pleated furnace filters get saturated faster than the pleated ones. They also take in a smaller number of contaminants than the pleated ones.
To complement the pleating, some furnace filters have an electrostatically charged surface. The introduction of an electrostatic charge on the surface of the furnace filters enhances their capacity to trap contaminants.
Such furnace filters can attract and trap airborne contaminants that may be found in your home. Therefore, it is wiser to go for pleated furnace filters to keep your Indoor Air Quality high and avoid the headache of replacing your furnace filters quite often.
How Air Filters Can Prevent Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions are caused by the presence of some contaminants in the air. The contaminants are called allergens, maybe anything, including dust, pollen, and even small hair particles from your pets.
Some people are susceptible to specific contaminants. When the contaminants are in the air, they may make their way into the breathing systems of sensitive people. When this happens, their bodies immediately overreact to the presence of the contaminants. The affected persons may begin to sneeze, cough, or have trouble breathing.
Furnace filters can help you prevent allergic reactions because they attract and remove allergens from the air. Any furnace filter with a high enough MERV rating of about 11 can remove more than 80% of small contaminants.
Small contaminants are those that measure between 0.3 and 1.0 microns in diameter. Such furnace filters can also remove large contaminants, including dust and pollen. Therefore, having such a furnace filter in your home can keep people sensitive to some allergens completely safe.
16x20x1 versus 20x25x1 Furnace Filters
There are significant differences between a 16x20x1 and a 20x25x1 filter. Here are important differences that you should consider when choosing between these two types of filters.
Size
A 20x25x1 furnace filter is more significant than a 16x20x1 one. The difference in size is apparent in the length and width of these two types of filters. A 20x25x1 furnace filter is more extended and broader than a 16x20x1 one. However, there is no difference in the thickness of these two types of furnace filters. They are both 1-inch thick.
Performance
The performance of a furnace filter refers to the percentage and size of particles that it can effectively attract and trap. The performance of furnace filters is indicated in terms of MERV ratings.
There is no relationship between the MERV rating and the size of an air filter. Therefore, the MERV performance of furnace filters that measure either 16x20x1 or 20x25x1 is independent of the sizes of these devices.
Longevity
The thickness roughly indicates the longevity of a furnace filter. The thicker the furnace filter, the longer it will take for it to be saturated with contaminants.
This is because the thicker the furnace filter, the higher the surface area. Both 16x20x1 and 20x25x1 furnace filters are 1-inch thick. This means that they will relatively take the same time to be fully saturated.
Conclusion
16x20x1 furnace filters can provide the desired level of protection against inborne air contaminants. You only need to choose the furnace filter with eh right MERV rating to ensure that it attracts and traps large percentages of small and large-sized contaminants.