How to Easily Install an Electrostatic or Washable 14x20x1 Air Filter

Installing an electrostatic or washable 14x20x1 air filter in your furnace or HVAC system is easy when you know what you're doing. Learn how to install it properly for optimal performance.

How to Easily Install an Electrostatic or Washable 14x20x1 Air Filter

Installing an electrostatic or washable 14x20x1 air filter in your furnace or HVAC system is a straightforward process that doesn't require any special skills. To get started, make sure the filter is turned on. Dust and dirt will be trapped in the filter just like in any oven filter. Instead of having to replace them, you can easily take them out and dust them off.

You can also clean them in the kitchen sink, shower tub, or clothes sink, or with a garden hose in the yard. To remove any grease or smoke residue, spray the filter with a mild household cleaner and rinse it thoroughly. Shake or drain the excess water and place it in your HVAC system (following directional airflow guidelines, if any). The ventilation airflow will completely dry the clean air filter. Air filters, furnace filters, and air conditioning filters are similar products and the terms are used interchangeably.

Because these filters are made of metal, they can be washed and reused, saving you the hassle (and additional cost) of having to replace them every three months, as with disposable filters. Air filters serve three critical roles in your central air system and contribute to the health and comfort of residents and customers. MERV 11 and 13 air filters offer high performance and greater filtration for residents or businesses who need it. For thicker furnace filters, the replacement interval increases to 9 months for 3 to 4 thick filters and to 12 months for 5 thick furnace filters. For the best results, buy your replacement air filters from a trusted air filter manufacturer like Filterbuy.

Air filters can be changed from behind the intake grilles (often referred to as air filters or air conditioning filters) or in the oven case of the central air unit (often referred to as “oven filters”). Disposable filters with cardboard frames should be changed every two to three months, while permanent filters should be cleaned once or twice a month for optimal performance. Although they look like something out of George Jetson's Skypad Apartment, electrostatic air filters are actually fairly simple devices that rely on fairly basic science to help clean indoor air. In this case, the dust particles are charged by the action of friction between the air entering the oven and the woven polypropylene air filter medium (manufactured with inherent electrostatic properties). The air filter is designed to protect both the mechanical components of the boiler and the quality of the indoor air in your home from particles suspended in the air.

This action helps filter contaminants and clean the air before it flows back to your home. Most air filters have a MERV rating between 1 and 20, as MERV 1 filters are only capable of removing larger debris and the MERV 20 is capable of filtering microscopic particles, such as viruses and bacteria, from the air. For optimal performance, make sure you follow all instructions for installation and replacement carefully. Installing an electrostatic or washable 14x20x1 air filter is easy when you know what you're doing. To ensure that your HVAC system runs smoothly and efficiently, it's important to replace your air filter regularly. By purchasing a quality product from a trusted manufacturer like Filterbuy, you can rest assured that your home will be well-protected from airborne contaminants.