Question:
I heard that the use of air filters other than what was initially installed can damage the furnace. I have a Goodman MBR air handler and the Epurair filter system. Can I use any filter that is 24 x 24 x4?
The Epurair filter (referred to as a filter cell in their literature) is a very efficient pleated air filter and you can replace it with any other brand of pleated filter of the same dimensions. Any 24 X 24 X 4 pleated filter that will fit into the filter rack will do the job.
If you are concerned about impacting air flow in a negative way, you can check the MERV rating of the filter you are replacing and replace it with a filter that has the same rating.
It is important to point out that this applies to all filters. Brand is not important. What is important, is the filter rating. For example, replacement Honeywell furnace filters can be purchased through various filter manufacturers. They are made to the same specifications as the brand name filter.
Best,
p.s. Millions of products, are manufactured every day by companies that you would not recognise the names of and often in foreign Countries. The brand name company then puts their logo on the product and sells it as their own. This is not always the case but it is very common.
More articles about filter brands and ratings:
Trane Furnace Filters
This article is about Trane furnace filters but applies to all manufacturers of pleated furnace filters.
MERV Ratings
MERV is a standard used to measure the overall efficiency of air filters. Higher MERV ratings mean fewer dust particles and other airborne contaminants pass through the filter.
Furnace Filter Ratings
There are some important terms used to rate furnace filters and air conditioner filters. Typically you will see air cleaners, electrostatic filters and electronic filters rated by efficiency only and they will not be given a MERV rating.