When it comes to air filters, the thicker the filter, the less restrictive it is. This means that a 2-inch oven filter allows better airflow than a 1-inch filter. However, these two are not drastically different in thickness. With the 2-inch pleated filter, although it is smaller, we have a static pressure of 0.158 WC, which is much better than the 0.25 WC of the 1-inch filter.
Atomic Filters Whole House Air Filter Collections are also available. A 2-inch filter will generally last longer since it has more media, but if your vent is not deep enough, you can use a 1-inch filter. The 4-inch filter will last longer and provide better air quality for your home, but it will also plug up faster and require more frequent changes. Washable filters simply need to be rinsed with a garden hose once a month and air dried before being put back in place.
The thickness of the air filter ranges from 1 to 5 inches deep; some options are more common than others, and your oven may dictate the thickness you can use. If you put several 1-inch filters together, it's similar to putting 5 coffee filters together and trying to brew a cup of coffee - it just doesn't work. A 1-inch filter with less surface space will clog up quickly and need to be replaced much sooner than a coarser filter. On the other hand, you can use a 1 inch thick filter in compartments that can accommodate a deeper filter. When selecting an air filter, you should be careful with the MERV rating.
If you choose a filter with a high MERV rating, you will have to change it every month or two when the oven, heat pump, or air conditioner is used heavily. Going down an inch in thickness shouldn't be a big problem; for example, you should be able to use a 4-inch filter instead of a 5-inch filter. Using a 4-inch filter would mean getting a filter with at least a MERV 8 rating, which would remove contaminants up to 3 microns (one unit of measurement), including dust mites and some types of pollen. Filters are measured by nominal size, which is a rounded number that varies by brand, so many filters have the part number of each brand they are compatible with.
