What needs to be ensured is that the filter rating allows for the proper airflow and filter level. If the filter 5 fits and has a similar density, it will allow the system to move air with less resistance. I would warn about the increase in filter density, as this may affect the efficiency of the unit. I repaired a fan that the owners thought if one filter was good, two would be better and bought some very expensive heppa filters, which caused the fan motor to run very hot and burned the grease on the bearings in just a few years.
I added an electrostatic element and returned to the standard filter. After that, the owners said that the house had more uniform heating and that the oven worked less. Can you use a 4-inch filter instead of a 5-inch one? Reducing the thickness by one inch shouldn't be a big problem; for example, you should be able to use a 4-inch filter instead of a 5-inch filter. If you're considering a thicker air filter to improve air quality, it may be best to focus on the MERV rating.
First, 4-inch filters cover a higher range of MERV ratings, with a slight overlap with 1-inch filters. With a filter of 4, you'll get at least an 8 MERV rating. With higher ratings of up to 16, you can control supermicrocontaminants, such as bacteria, viruses and dust particles. The short answer? A 4-inch filter will last longer and provide better air quality for your home.
Most air conditioning and HVAC units use standard size filters, but some require a custom-sized air filter to be purchased and installed. The purpose of a good filter cabinet like that is to have a perfect fit so that very little air bypasses the filter, otherwise you could also put a cheap filter in there. The bottom line is that size does matter, as long as it comes to the thickness of your oven filter. A thicker filter (4-5 inches) has more surface area and therefore leaves more room for air to pass through.
If a certain amount of dirty air passes through both, the number of “unclogged” pores will be greater in a thicker filter than in a thinner one. In these cases, you have more flexibility in selecting the size of the filter, since you can choose one that is longer than the size of the opening. If you place the filter upside down, the normally collective end of the device will not face the air supply. A good rule of thumb is to change 1-inch to 2-inch filters every three months, 4-inch filters every six months, and 5-inch filters every 12 months.
If you can't find a standard size filter within that parameter, you'll need to order a custom-sized air filter. On the other hand, if it's too tight, you might not be able to remove the filter when it's time to change it (if that's what you decide). That said, a thinner 1-inch filter with a high MERV rating would clog up very quickly (compared to a 4-inch pleated filter), since there is less surface area available to trap contaminants. The higher the MERV index, the smaller the contaminants a filter can trap, which also means it will clog up faster.
A 4-inch filter provides more surface space to trap contaminants, facilitating proper airflow and continuous removal of contaminants.
