14x20x1 Air Filters – FAQ & Buyer’s Guide!

Having a good furnace filter ensures that your HVAC system will remain clean and will thus run efficiently, reducing the amount of money that you use to settle your utility bills. We all want to save money on costs, and this is one way to go about it. Other than saving you some bucks, a good furnace filter also cleans the air in your space, ridding it of pollutants which can trigger asthma attacks and allergies, and it thus promotes good health.

List of Top-Rated 14x20x1 Air Filters

PhotoNameMERVLifespanDescription
1. FilterBuy AFB MERV 8 14x20x1 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter, (Pack of 4 Filters), 14x20x1 - SilverFilterBuy AFB14x20x1M8pk483 monthsView on Amazon
2. Filtrete 14x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1500, Healthy Living Ultra Allergen, 2-PackFiltrete FBA_AFB14x20x1M8pk4123 monthsView on Amazon
3. Aerostar 14x20x1 MERV 8 Pleated Air Filter, Made in the USA, 6-PackAerostar 14x20x1 MERV 8860-90 daysView on Amazon
4. Nordic Pure 14x20x1 MERV 12 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filters, 6 Pack, 14x20x1M12-6Nordic Pure 14x20x1M12-61230-90 daysView on Amazon
5. True Blue Allergen 14x20x1 Air Filter, MERV 11, 4-PackTrue Blue 314201.411120 daysView on Amazon

Additionally, having an efficient filter in place will reduce the strain on your HVAC system as it will no longer have to deal with contaminants. As a result, you will find that the system will last longer than those without filters. For you to get this advantage, it is necessary that you replace the filter as often as needed as a dirty filter will only pose a challenge to the efficiency of your system.

You can see that all these benefits stem from the use of a good filter and thus, the best place to start in this guide would be the selection process, to help you find something that is a good fit for your space.

When getting the filter, be sure to check the MERV ratings as this will affect how well they work and whether they will restrict airflow. MERV ratings of 4-12 should be okay for residential use. Anything less than this will be less useful and anything higher than this will limit the flow of air. Let’s check out some of the best 14x20x1 filters on the market as of now:

The Best 14x20x1 Air Filters Reviews

1. FilterBuy AFB MERV 8 14x20x1 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter, (Pack of 4 Filters), 14x20x1 – Silver

This furnace filters 14x20x1 is a product of FilterBuy, which is a family owned business that has been in operation for decades on end. The filter is 100% USA-made, and it features pleats which provide it with adequate surface area to capture contaminants in the atmosphere. Pleated filters often trap and capture more unwanted particles in the air, owing to their added sizes.

This filter features a beverage board in its construction, and this enables it to remain firm and stable during operation. This build also adds to the filter’s strength, making it possible for it to work in hot and wet regions where the temperatures can be as high as two hundred degrees Fahrenheit. What’s more, the synthetic media in play ensures that the filter does not absorb water, and thus keeps microbial growth at bay.

The filter can capture at least ninety percent of the unwanted particles in the air ranging from lint to pet dander, and it works for at least 90 days under standard use. Where there are children or pets, the need for change may be more frequent than this. With its MERV 8 rating, this filter is suitable for use in homes as well as small offices.

You can rely on this filter for clean air and lowered energy bills for at least three months.

Product Features

  • MERV 8 rating
  • MPR 300/600
  • 90% capture rate
  • Beverage board frame
  • Made in the USA
  • Lasts three months
  • Weighs 1.55 pounds

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Long lasting
  • High-quality build
  • Anti-microbial growth
  • Reasonable pricing
  • Easy installation process
  • Removes dust from the air

Cons

  • Narrow

2. Filtrete 14x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1500, Healthy Living Ultra Allergen, 2-Pack

This 14x20x1 air filter Filtrete comes in a two-pack, and it should thus be a while before you make a trip to the store again. For people who often forget to change their filters, you know how bad this can be for your system. When your filter is not working at its optimum, it allows dust and other debris into the vents and eventually, these particles work to clog the system.

You could end up paying a lot to get the system repaired after a breakdown, not to mention the vast sums of money that you will spend on utility bills. With this filter, you get to be part of a filter change reminder program that alerts you when it is time to make the change. You also get tips that are best suited for your environment, to help you retain the quality of air that you breathe.

This filter is highly active and can capture large as well as small particles. It is especially useful in homes with pets and children as it can keep the pet dander from making its way through the vents and triggering allergies in your loved ones.

Installing it is a smooth process. You will begin by removing the plastic and the label before locating the arrow that you will then direct toward the air conditioning or heating fan. You can now slide out the old filter and put this in its place.

Product Features

  • Captures particles smaller than one micron
  • Electrostatic charging
  • 1500 MPR rating
  • Lasts three months
  • Uses 3-in-1 technology
  • Weighs 12.8 ounces
  • Actual dimensions of 19.8*0.8*13.8 inches

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Long lasting
  • Works for residential spaces
  • Great for people with allergies
  • High-quality build
  • Fast installation process
  • Great value for your money

Cons

  • Strains the HVAC system a bit

3. Aerostar 14x20x1 MERV 8 Pleated Air Filter, Made in the USA, 6-Pack

This air conditioner filter 14x20x1 uses synthetic media and will thus not absorb moisture from the environment, making it an ideal option for someone who lives in a hot and wet region. It can capture particles in the ranges of three microns and above and will work great in a place where there are pets and children. It is effective against dust and lint, mold and pet dander, amongst other pollutants that can trigger allergies.

You should change this filter every thirty to ninety days, depending on how much you use it. When the months are very hot or cold, you will find that changing will be more frequent to lower the strain on the HVAC system.

Product Features

  • MERV 8 rating
  • Weighs 2.45 pounds
  • Actual dimensions of 19.9*14.1*6.3 inches
  • MPR rating of 600
  • Lasts 60-90 days

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Easy installation process
  • Gives you value for your money
  • Deals with pet dander
  • Reduces strain on the HVAC system
  • Does not restrict airflow
  • Prevents microbial growth

Cons

  • Narrow

4. Nordic Pure 14x20x1 MERV 12 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filters, 6 Pack, 14x20x1M12-6

This ac filter 14x20x1 with a MERV rating of 12 is ideal for anyone with pets as it will effectively deal with pet dander in the air. It works for various kinds of animal shedding and will ensure that there are no pollutants to trigger allergies, thus keeping you and your loved ones in a clean environment. It also deals with smoke and other odors in the home.

The recycled beverage board frame is sturdy and can withstand varying environmental conditions without collapsing, and it ensures that you get extended service from this active filter. This filter is more effective than most brands that you will come across in the market owing to the use of pleats in its design.

Product Features

  • The actual size is 13.5*19.5*0.75 inches
  • Works for residential and commercial use
  • MPR rating of 1500-1907
  • MERV 12 rating
  • Made in the USA
  • Weighs 3.7 pounds

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Antimicrobial
  • Long-lasting
  • Gives you value for your money
  • Easy installation process
  • Great for people with allergies

Cons

  • Restricted airflow

5. True Blue Allergen 14x20x1 Air Filter, MERV 11, 4-Pack

This 14x20x1 filter is best for people with pets as well as those who tend to suffer from allergies when exposed to pollutants in the air. It has an efficiency rating that is higher than what you would get from fiberglass filters, and it will serve your home for at least four months under standard use.

It has electric charges, and the field created enables it to attract and capture even the tiniest particles in the air. You can thus count on it to eliminate smoke, pet dander, and other allergens in the air.

The synthetic media in play ensures that there is no microbial growth, which is an added benefit.

Product Features

  • MERV 11 rating
  • Comes in a four-pack
  • Pleated filter
  • Lasts four months
  • Weighs 2.3 pounds

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Gives you value for your money
  • Ideal for people with allergies
  • Simple installation process
  • High-quality build
  • Works in humid environments

Cons

  • Narrow

How to pick a 14x20x1 air filter

Measurements

The one thing that you can do wrong when selecting a filter is getting one with dimensions that do not work for your space. Thus, you should start by getting your furnace manual and reading through to see what filters will work for it. You can then go through the various filter options to see which ones meet those dimensions. Where you cannot get hold of the manual, you can opt to measure the size using a tape measure.

Where you already have a filter in place and are in search of a replacement, it helps to use the dimensions of the old one in your quest as you will not go wrong with this approach. You should remember that though a filter states that it is 14x20x1, this may not be the real size.

Take time to go through the actual and nominal figures as the disparity may have you getting something that will end up in your store. The nominal dimensions are what manufacturers write down after rounding off the actual figures, so be sure to keep this in mind.

Type

Your system’s manual will give you pointers as to the kind of filter that you should use, and where you are unsure of what to purchase, this is an excellent place to start. As you go through the option on the market, look for those suited for the use that you have in mind.

Most of the filters that we will cover in this guide work for both residential and commercial spaces. Where the filters are for commercial use, and you use them in your home, you may find that the filtration efficiency is straining your system and it is thus not advisable to use a filter for its unintended purpose.

The aim in this process is to get a highly efficient filter that can get rid of contaminants in the air without posing restrictions in airflow and it is thus best to aim for a balance in the two. The types available are quite many on the market, and they feature different materials and styles. The most common types are the disposables made of paper, fiberglass, cotton, and other materials.

You can also get the adjustable types which work for filter sizes that aren’t standard. You can also get the washable filters which call for added maintenance practices or the electrostatic models which can either be disposable or reusable.

When buying a 14x20x1, remember to take note of the actual dimensions as this will help you know if you are getting the right fit. With this in mind, your purchase should result in a worthy investment. All the best!

About the author

Lou Anderson

Lou Anderson

Lou Anderson is a keen home and garden innovator with over 25 years of hands-on experience in, home improvement, landscape gardening and all things appliance related to making life easier and more interesting.

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