14x18x1 Air Filters – FAQ & Buyer’s Guide!

You cannot undermine the importance of having an efficient air filter if you wish to have an efficient HVAC system and breathe in clean air. A good air filter ensures that your HVAC system remains free of contaminants and thus does not experience strain during operation, therefore lowering the amount of money you spend on utility bills. You also get to enjoy air that is free of contaminants which boosts your health as well as prolong the life of your HVAC system. The key to enjoying all these benefits lies in finding an air filter that is suited to your space. Let’s get into some of the essential things in this regard and why:

How to pick a 14x18x1 air filter

The Size

The first thing you should consider is the size of the filter. For a first time buyer or someone who is in a new home, this may be tricky, and the best thing to do is to refer to the furnace manual. Here, you will find the correct dimensions. Where it is not possible to rely on the manual, you can measure the size using a tape measure. If there is an old filter in place, you can use its measurements to determine how big the filter should be. Let’s take an example of this 14x18x1. You will find that though a manufacturer may state that this is the size of the filter, it could be with concern to the nominal dimensions and not the actual figures. You will thus find that it is a give-or-take situation and the missing decimals could make a huge difference when it comes to fitting. So be sure to look at the nominal figures too.

The Ratings

Filters get rated based on their efficiency in removing unwanted particles in the environment. In many cases, you will find that people use the minimum efficiency reporting value, abbreviate as MERV. This rating should give you an idea as to how much particles the filter will eliminate, whether there will be a restriction of airflow and how long the filter will serve your needs. The scale starts at one and ends at sixteen. The performance of a filter increases with its MERV rating. However, getting one with a high value may not be the best thing for your central heating and cooling system.

The ideal filter for a home would have a MERV rating of 1-12, as this will eliminate pollutants while ensuring that airflow does not get impeded. Anything that has a score that is above 12 is not suitable for the home and is best for commercial spaces such as hospitals where the filtration needs are much higher than for residential uses. Your furnace manual should direct you on the best option for your home as this will help you keep airflow at an optimal level without overworking your system.

You should also consider the type of filter that you would like to use as they come in different materials and styles and are designed to last for varying periods. Here are some of the best 14x18x1 filters on the market and their corresponding features:

List of Top-Rated 14x18x1 Air Filters

Photo	Product	MERV	Lifespan	Details
	FilterBuy AFB14x18x1OEpk2	8	3 months	View on Amazon
	Flanders 84857.011418	8	90 days	View on Amazon
	US Home Filter SC80-14X18X1-6	13	90 days	View on Amazon
	Filters Now FB14X18_4=QBB	8	3 months	View on Amazon
	US Home Filter SC40-14X18X1-6	8	90 days	View on Amazon

The Best 14x18x1 Air Filters Reviews

1. FilterBuy Allergen Odor Eliminator 14x18x1 MERV 8 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter with Activated Carbon – Pack of 2-14x18x1

If you have been battling with foul odors in your space which you would wish to eliminate, this furnace filters 14x18x1 is an ideal buy for you. It works to get rid of unwanted smells ranging from smoke to pet scents to cooking smells, thus ensuring that the air coming through the vents is fresh. This filter can get rid of particles that are as small as one micron, and this includes but is not limited to pet dander, dust, lint, and pollen. This filter can serve your needs for up to three months under regular use. You may have to replace it more often where you use it continuously. It helps to know that the filter is 100% made in the USA, including its components. You are thus getting a premium product at an affordable price.

Product Features

• Pleated filter
• Features activated carbon
• MERV 8 rating
• For residential use
• Comes in a two-pack
• Made in the USA
• Lasts three months

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Works for people with allergies
• Useful in the removal of odors
• Extensive surface area to catch unwanted particles
• Gives you value for your money
• Sturdy build in play
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Tricky installation process

2. Flanders PrecisionAire 84857.011418 NaturalAire Odor Eliminator Air Filter with Baking Soda, MERV 8, 14 x 18 x 1-Inch, 4-Pack

This 14x18x1 air filter is a product of Flanders, which is a US-based company that has been in operation since 1950. You are thus putting your health in the hands of a reputable company that aims to provide quality products to the market. This filter features baking soda, which is an active compound that can neutralize those nagging smells in the house. And that’s not all. As the filter eliminates odors, it also gets rid of unwanted particles in the air, which can trigger asthma attacks and allergies. It deals with everything from mold spores to dust to smoke and leaves your house smelling great. It features synthetic media in its build, which does not absorb water from the environment, and it is, therefore, safe to use this filter in humid climates as it will not allow microbial growth to take place.

This filter can work with many HVAC systems without straining them as it features a MERV rating of 8, which gets rid of dust in the house without raising your energy costs. The installation process is quite simple, and you can have the work done in under fifteen minutes. The filter can serve your home for ninety days under standard use before a replacement is necessary. Where someone in the house is prone to asthma attacks or suffers from allergies, the changes should take frequently. The same goes for households with pets and children as the filtration needs in such spaces will be high.

The frame features an inch of molding that is resistant to moisture and one with wire-backing to ensure that it remains steady, adding to its lifespan. It can thus withstand temperature changes as well as other external forces that may threaten your quality of air.

Why Baking Soda?

For a very long time, people have relied on baking soda as a means to get rid of household odors, and they would frequently use it in wiping surfaces which had lingering smells. The working mechanism in the filter is the same as it will work to get rid of odors, leaving the air fresh. It helps to know that because it is a naturally occurring material, you will not pose harm to people in the space. And it also features antiseptic properties to keep the environment sterile.

Product Features

• Uses baking soda
• MERV 8 rating
• Suited for residential use
• Comes in a four-pack
• V pleats for added surface area
• Lasts ninety days

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Gives you value for your money
• Eliminates odors at home
• Does not affect airflow
• Lasts long
• Quick installation process

Cons

• Puts some strain on the HVAC system

3. US Home Filter SC80-14X18X1-6 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter (Pack of 6), 14″ x 18″ x 1″

People who suffer from allergies will benefit from the use of this air conditioner filter 14x18x1 with a MERV 13 rating. You will recall that in the factors to consider, we had talked about how important it is to look into the MERV rating as it may overwork your HVAC system. Though the rating in this filter may be high, the manufacturer has put in some measures to reduce the load on your system, and you should thus not incur high energy costs when using it.

It can filter tiny particles in the ranges of one micron going up and is thus able to get rid of odors in the home, including those of food. This filter is also suitable for commercial use where need be.

Product Features

• MERV 13 rating
• Heavy duty frame
• Galvanized metal backing
• Pleated filter
• Actual dimensions of 13.5*17.5*0.75

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Resistant to moisture
• Works for both residential and commercial uses
• Great for people with allergies
• Sturdy build
• Gives you value for your money
• Simple installation process
• No harmful chemicals

Cons

• Voids warranties for some HVAC systems

4. 14x18x1 (13.5×17.5) MERV 8 Air Filter/Furnace Filters (4 Pack)

This ac filter 14x18x1 is an excellent option for anyone looking to save some money while getting a quality product made in the USA. It features a MERV 8 rating that is suitable for residential homes where the filtration needs are not high, and with this kind of rating, you do not have to worry about straining your HVAC system. The working mechanism involves electrostatic media, which not only attracts but also captures unwanted particles in the environment, leaving the air smelling fresh.

Where you use this filter under normal conditions, it should serve you for ninety days. You should consider your needs when determining the changing frequency.

Product Features

• MERV 8 rating
• Comes in a four-pack
• Made in the USA
• The actual size is 13.5*17.5
• Lasts three months
• Electrostatic charges

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Long-lasting
• Steady build
• Affordable pricing
• Unrestricted airflow
• Works in humid environments

Cons

• Need handling with care

5. US Home Filter SC40-14X18X1-6 MERV 8 Pleated Air Filter (Pack of 6), 14″ x 18″ x 1″

With a MERV 8 rating, this 14x18x1 filter is sure to give your central heating and cooling system an easy time when pushing clean air through the vents. It can eliminate tiny particles in the air with ease while getting rid of odors. It features pleats which increase its surface area and thus enable it to capture more pollutants than non-pleated versions would. It works great for people with mild allergies.

Product Features

• MERV 8 rating
• Actual dimensions of 13.5*17.5*0.75
• Heavy duty frame
• Galvanized metal backing
• Weighs 3.1 pounds

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Gives you value for your money
• Resistant to microbial growth
• Suited for residential use
• Easy installation process
• Unrestricted airflow

Cons

• Thin material

When choosing an air filter, it is essential that you pay note to the furnace manual as it will guide you as to the MERV rating that is best for your home. Where you get a filter that is not right for your space, not only can you end up overworking your system and causing a breakdown, but you can also end up voiding your warranty, leaving you to cover the costs for repair. Where you are in doubt, it is best to refer to the manual, and the same goes for replacements.