20x30x1 furnace filters can be the best choice if you get one with the right features. It is important to consider their MERV rating and other additional features, including whether the surface is pleated or non-pleated.
This review covers some of the best 20x30x1 furnace filters that are available for home use.
Best 20X30X1 Air Filter
1. FilterBuy 20x30x1 Air Filter
The FilterBuy 20x30x1 Air Filter is designed for longevity. It is built using industrial-grade beverage boards that are reinforced with double wires. This design ensures that these furnace filters withstand heat and other sources of pressure when they are working.
In addition to longevity, your FilterBuy 20x30x1 Air Filter will not cause problems with the air supply. However, some furnace filters with exceptionally high MERV ratings may hinder the free flow of air in your HVAC system. This may cause untold miseries in the costs of repair and maintenance.
The surface of this furnace filter is electrostatically charged and features a pleated design. The electrostatic charge maximizes the particles that this furnace filter attracts and traps.
Similarly, the pleating of the strands increases the surface area available for filtration. This maximizes the Indoor Air Quality of your home when you install this furnace filter.
Pros
- The relatively low MERV rating of 8 is perfect for air circulation in your HVAC system.
- The electrostatically charged surface and pleated design enhance air filtration performance.
- Built for longevity because of the industrial-grade beverage board frames and dual-wire backings
Cons
- The MERV rating of 8 is not sufficient for the trapping of 90% of microparticles.
2. Nordic Pure 20x30x1 Pleated AC Furnace Filter
If you are looking for a furnace filter that can conveniently trap over 90% of large-sized and small-sized contaminants in your home, the Nordic Pure 20x30x1 may be the ideal choice.
With a pleated and electrostatically charged surface, this furnace filter can trap microparticles that measure from 0.3 to 1.0 microns in diameter.
Thus, you can rely on it to fight allergies, odors, and other problems caused by small airborne contaminants.
There are six pieces in every package. Besides, every furnace filter can last for up to 90 days. Therefore, you will enjoy the convenience of not having to replace your furnace filters quite often.
However, the longevity of the furnace filter depends on many factors. The most important one is the overall quality of the air in your house.
The only downside of using this furnace filter relates to its ability to obstruct airflow in your HVAC system. High MERV rating furnace filters have this problem. However, it is not as severe as if you choose a furnace filter with a MERV rating of 16.
Pros
- The high MERV rating is perfect for attracting 90% of microparticles
- There are six pieces for your convenience
- Ideal for fighting off allergies because of the pleated strands and electrostatically charged surface
Cons
- The furnace filter may interfere with the airflow in your HVAC
3. Filtrete 20x30x1 Furnace AC Air Filter
The Filtrete 20x30x1 outperforms fiberglass and washable filters. Although washable filters can last for a long time, one needs to clean them regularly. Besides, they are not as effective as replaceable furnace filters.
Furthermore, your Filtrete 20x30x1 has a pleated and electrostatically charged surface. These two features are great because they dramatically enhance the ability of your furnace filter to keep the air free of contaminants.
They enable the filters to attract and trap microparticles that may be floating around in the air in your home. It can trap all physical contaminants, including pollen, dander, small hair particles from your pets, and smoke.
The only drawback of using this furnace filter relates to the MERV rating. You may find the MERV rating of 7 relatively low if you are keen on getting high MERV rating furnace filters. Filters with a high MERV rating are ideal for trapping large percentages of microparticles that measure between 0.3 and 1.0 microns wide.
Pros
- It outperforms basic washable and fiberglass furnace filters
- Safe for protecting your HVAC system from damage
- The 3-in-1 technology enables the air filter to attract and trap small and large contaminants
Cons
- The MERV rating of 7 is relatively low
4. Nordic Pure 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air
One of the most impressive features of the Nordic Pure 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air is the combination of a relatively average MERV rating and the pleated surface. Furnace filters with a meager MERV rating are suitable for your HVAC.
However, such furnace filters perform dismally when you consider the amount of small-sized particles that they can trap. Alternatively, a high MERV rating is perfect for trapping microparticles but forces the blower to overwork.
The Nordic Pure 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air has the perfect combination of these two extremes. At a MERV rating of 8, this furnace filter can successfully trap considerably higher percentages of large and microparticles.
However, you will have to replace your Nordic Pure 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air filter more often than you would expect. Although the manufacturer indicates that the filter remains useful for 90 days, this is not often the case.
Pros
- Its MERV rating of 8 is ideal for your HVAC because it does not cause damages to the blower.
- The pleated surface increases the air filtration performance of the furnace filter.
- There are six pieces in every pack for your convenience
Cons
- The furnace filter does not last if it is indicated on the packaging
5. Filtrete 20x30x1, AC Furnace Air Filter
Although the Filtrete 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air Filter has a relatively low MERV rating of 5, it still has various benefits. Notably, this furnace filter outperforms fiberglass and washable filters regarding the percentage of airborne contaminants that it can attract.
Furthermore, this furnace filter has an electrostatically charged surface. The surface can attract and trap large amounts of significant airborne contaminants between 1 and 3 microns wide. This includes smog, smoke, dust, and hair particles from your pets.
The Filtrete 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air Filter is very friendly to your blower and the entire HVAC system. Its low MERV rating of 5 ensures that the filter does not restrict airflow in your system.
This means that you will not be worried about carrying out expensive repairs to your HVAC system when installing this furnace filter. However, you may have to get a different furnace filter with a higher MERV rating to capture high percentages of microparticles.
Pros
- It has an electrostatically charged surface for attracting and trapping contaminants.
- It outperforms fiberglass and washable filters.
- Very friendly to the blower and the entire HVAC system because its MERV rating of 5
Cons
- The MERV rating of 5 is relatively low
6. Filtrete 20x30x1, AC Furnace Air Filter
The Filtrete 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air Filter is a highly durable device because it is constructed. The use of industrial-grade materials and the inclusion of wires reinforce the frame of this furnace filter. Thus, it can withstand the effects of heat and moisture to remain functional for a long time.
Every package contains six pieces. Furthermore, the furnace filters remain helpful for about 90 days. This means that you do not have to worry about replacing your furnace filter often.
The only notable drawback of using the Filtrete 20x30x1 AC Furnace Air Filter is that its MERV rating of 7 may be unsuitable when one needs to ensure that 90% of microparticles are filtered from the air. In such a case, you will need to install a furnace filter with a MERV rating of over 11.
Pros
- Highly durable because it is built using industrial grade and reinforced materials
- Ideal for maintaining high Indoor Air Quality by capturing small and large airborne contaminants
- There are six pieces in every packaging for your convenience
Cons
- The MERV rating of 7 may be relatively low in certain circumstances
How Do I Tell My Filter Needs Replacement?
There are many ways of telling when your filter needs replacement. Any of them works well in helping you ensure that you change your filter promptly and avoid living in an environment full of contaminants.
The color of the filter changes to gray
When your filter changes its color and can spot dirt on its media, it may be time to change it. This is usually a clear indication that the media of the filter is saturated with dirt.
The home becomes dustier than usual.
The presence of dust in the air in your home shows that the furnace filter is no longer trapping the contaminants as it should. This may be because it is full of contaminants, and it cannot take up anymore. To restore your Indoor Air Quality to the desired level, replace your furnace filter.
The HVAC system is straining.
If your HVAC system is straining, consider changing your furnace filter. The HVAC system will overwork when the medium of your furnace filter is saturated with dirt. Changing the furnace filter will solve this problem immediately.
What is Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor Air Quality is a measure of the extent to which an indoor environment is healthy and comfortable for the occupants. Indoor environments can be occupied with various contaminants. The contaminants are usually solid objects of varying types and sizes. They may come from any source, including dust, smoke, pets, and even cooking.
As a rule of thumb, the higher the percentage of airborne contaminants found in a building, the lower its Indoor Air Quality. This is because the presence of the contaminants undermines the comfort of occupants.
People may experience difficulties breathing if the room they are in is full of dust or smoke particles. Furthermore, contaminants undermine the health of the occupants of any building where they are complete. The adverse health effects of staying in a contaminated room may occur immediately or afterward.
Immediate effects are common in people who are sensitive to some contaminants. They may start to sneeze or experience any other form of reaction. Therefore, using furnace filters is to improve the Indoor Air Quality of homes, offices, or any other place where they are installed.
The Best MERV Rating for Indoor Air Quality
The best MERV rating for Indoor Air Quality ensures the removal of most large particles that are 1 to 3 microns wide and small ones that measure 0.3 to 1.0 microns in diameter.
Ideally, go for MERV ratings that range from 9 to 12. Furnace filters with a MERV rating that falls within this range effectively remove contaminants from the air in your home without damaging the blower.
This explains why you need to balance the need to keep your indoor environment healthy and comfortable for the occupants and preserve your HVAC system. High MERV ratings can force your blower to strain and damage other components of your HVAC system.
How to Properly Install a Furnace Filter
Installing a furnace filter need not be a difficult thing to do. Here is a brief outline of how you can go about this simple process.
- Open the compartment of the furnace filter. You may have to price out the cover if it does not open easily.
- Remove the old furnace filter.
- Install the new furnace filter according to the instructions of the manufacturer
- Close the compartment
The only tricky part is to ensure that the lines marked on the body of the filter are aligned with the direction of the flow of the air. If you get this wrong, your furnace filter will not work.
Besides, always ensure that the filter is perfectly fitting into its slot before you close the compartment. This will ensure that all the areas are fully covered and that the filter functions correctly.
Conclusion
The most important thing to consider when choosing your 20x30x1 furnace filter is the MERV rating. The higher the MERV rating, the more significant the amounts of small and large-sized particles that the filter can trap.
However, this may come at the expense of forcing your blower to overwork. However, furnace filters with a low MERV rating are suitable for your HVAC system but do not trap high percentages of microparticles that measure between 0.3 and 1.0 microns wide.