I change CT MERV8 25x6x1 filters monthly. I left it go ~7 weeks by accident recently (run fan in continuous mode, esp with AC on) and it was filthy. $10 every 3 months is nothing to keep your furnace cleaner. Do 5" last so much longer?
When to change 25x16x5 furnace filter
- Last Updated:
- Aug 2nd, 2020 1:58 pm
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- SCORE-2
- cocodc
- Sr. Member
- Jan 14, 2010
- 686 posts
- 228 upvotes
- Central Ontario
- cheapshopper
- Deal Fanatic
- Jan 31, 2007
- 5028 posts
- 5145 upvotes
- Richmond Hill
I change them approx every 6 months. When I switch from heat to AC, and AC to heat.
At the same time is turn on/off humidifier as well.
At the same time is turn on/off humidifier as well.
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Bright side of RFD: Often find good deal
Dark side of RFD: Tons of stuff that I don't need but still got them because of RFD
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Bright side of RFD: Often find good deal
Dark side of RFD: Tons of stuff that I don't need but still got them because of RFD
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- Gee
- Deal Expert
- Aug 2, 2004
- 36357 posts
- 9621 upvotes
- East Gwillimbury
The bigger the filter, the better
The pleats are not as close together as 1” filters thus giving you more surface area. The V shape on a 1” filter is a lot smaller and closer together allowing dust to easily accumulate. On a larger filter, the V angle is more obtuse.
This gives you more air flow.
- 250strong
- Member
- Jan 18, 2017
- 398 posts
- 308 upvotes
Where does everyone buy their filters? And how much do they cost?
16x25x4
What do you think of these?
https://www.amazon.ca/Filtrete-Replacem ... lp_pl_dp_1
Or furnace filters.ca?
https://www.amazon.ca/16x25x4-Furnace-F ... lp_pl_dp_9
16x25x4
What do you think of these?
https://www.amazon.ca/Filtrete-Replacem ... lp_pl_dp_1
Or furnace filters.ca?
https://www.amazon.ca/16x25x4-Furnace-F ... lp_pl_dp_9
- stansoltz
- Deal Addict
- Apr 5, 2009
- 1056 posts
- 296 upvotes
I change my 4 or 5 inch wide filter everytime I enable or disable the humidifier... fall and spring... about 6 months
- koffey
- Deal Expert
-
- Oct 6, 2010
- 15508 posts
- 10156 upvotes
- Toronto
There's a few threads on them. Pete gave the link above. You can cash and carry, example, I paid $45 for 12 16x25x1
250strong wrote: ↑ Where does everyone buy their filters? And how much do they cost?
16x25x4
What do you think of these?
https://www.amazon.ca/Filtrete-Replacem ... lp_pl_dp_1
Or furnace filters.ca?
https://www.amazon.ca/16x25x4-Furnace-F ... lp_pl_dp_9
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10-no joke
- hightech
- Deal Expert
-
- Dec 23, 2003
- 16805 posts
- 5389 upvotes
- Toronto
Filters all come down to usage and environment. Our 16x25x5 gets inspected every 3 months. After that, we check it every month and gets changed when it starts looking dirty compared to the new one (after 5 to 6 months). Changing the filter is easier than having to clean the AC coil in the ductwork that has dirt built up due to a dirty filter.
I would suggest you get the cheapest 16x25x5 filter so it puts less stress on the motor.
I would suggest you get the cheapest 16x25x5 filter so it puts less stress on the motor.
- carztoronto
- Member
- May 7, 2016
- 483 posts
- 417 upvotes
I do the same with a 5" filter. Easy to remember and even though the filter says it could last 1 year, after 6 months it looks like it is ready to be replaced.cheapshopper wrote: ↑ I change them approx every 6 months. When I switch from heat to AC, and AC to heat.
At the same time is turn on/off humidifier as well.
- CaptSmethwick
- Deal Fanatic
-
- Oct 12, 2007
- 8097 posts
- 6692 upvotes
- Ottawa
I make sure that we have a new filter right at the beginning of the cooling season as even a slightly dirty filter can affect how well cool air reaches the rooms in our house furthest from the furnace. We tend to use Merv10 and have no pets.
- Squirrel99
- Deal Fanatic
- Dec 27, 2007
- 5948 posts
- 3232 upvotes
I was changing it 6 months but it looks perfectly clean so I'm gonna try waiting longer next time.
No pets
No smokers
No pets
No smokers
- Huck50 [OP]
- Member
- Jul 14, 2017
- 388 posts
- 65 upvotes
- Ontario
We have all hardwood flooring,no pets,no kids,no smoking,so I think I can be safe by going with Daylight Savings Time to change out our 16x25x5 filter.Last time I think I changed it too early as it still looked fairly clean and mainly changed it only because I had 3 extras on hand, so to be 'safe'. H50
Last edited by Huck50 on Aug 3rd, 2020 6:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
- cocodc
- Sr. Member
- Jan 14, 2010
- 686 posts
- 228 upvotes
- Central Ontario
I actually don't understand this logic, and can't find any sources that agree with this. Can you enlighten me, thanks?TomLafinsky wrote: ↑ You do realize that changing a MERV 8 filter monthly means you are allowing more dust in your furnace than if you were to wait 2-3 months (which is average for a 1" filter). A filter becomes more 'efficient' over time. There is obviously a limit to how efficient it can become. And all this has to be balanced with allowing sufficient air flow.
I would suggest you wait 2-3 months unless you live in an area with above average dust. Filters are supposed to get dirty, to a limit.
- cristianosham
- Deal Addict
- Sep 6, 2017
- 4524 posts
- 3003 upvotes
- fdl
- Deal Fanatic
- Dec 5, 2009
- 5756 posts
- 3589 upvotes
Never changed anything in 6 years. Never had an issue. Sounds like a money grab. You know what they say about a fool and his money.