Hello. I have a Honeywell F50F electronic air cleaner on my HVAC system. It came in a house I purchased. I am not overwhelmed with how well it works and it is something of a pain to wash it - it entails 2 trips into the crawl space (once to remove and again to replace after washing).

So I am wondering if I can, after turning off the power to the unit, replace the electronic elements with a pleated filter? My measurements of the two electronic elements (end to end as they sit in the housing) is 4-3/8 x 19-7/8 x 19-1/2 inches.

I have been looking online trying to find an exact fit. I have found only this one "furnacefilterwarehouse.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FC200E1011&Show=Tec hSpecs"
which says the actual size is 19 7/8" X 19 7/8" X 4 3/8" and this one "furnacefilterwarehouse.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HWP20204M11&Show=Te chSpecs"
which says the actual size is 20"x19 7/8"x4 3/8".

There seems to be a generic filter size called a 20x20x4 but often has an actual size of 19.5 x 19.5 x 3.75 (seen at Amazon and elsewhere).

If I can do the swap of electronic for pleated filters, I am not sure which of the above is the best choice. How much does it matter that the fit is "exact"?

Thanks in advance for your help.

It is your choice. Pick the one that fits the best. The ideal filter will have no gaps to allow the air to pass unfiltered.

OR here is a place you can contact and they can advise you on the conversion and exactly what filter to use.

Honeywell Media Air Cleaner and Replacement Filters: Bel-Aire ElectronicAirCleaners.com (http://honeywell.electronicaircleaners.com/media.html)

By the way, is it possible (or preferable) to use multiple 20x20x1 inch filters stacked up instead of the single wider filter? Or would this likely reduce airflow too much? Thanks.

By the way, is it possible (or preferable) to use multiple 20x20x1 inch filters stacked up instead of the single wider filter? Or would this likely reduce airflow too much?

NOT a good idea. This can create more problem than you will ever know.