16x22x5 Electro-Air Filters for Rental Properties
TL;DR
Stock one 16x22x5 Electro-Air filter per unit for every planned change, plus a 10 to 15 percent buffer. On a 90-day schedule, that's four filters per unit each year. Measure the old filter first, since the actual size is 15.38 x 21.88 x 5.25 inches, and buy by the case, which can cut the per-filter price in half.
I put this guide together by working through the questions landlords actually face with this size, starting with how many to buy and what a year of filters really costs.
Key Takeaways
Size check first: 16x22x5 Electro-Air filters measure 15.38 x 21.88 x 5.25 inches, so a 16x20x5 or 16x25x5 won't seal the same cabinet.
Simple math: a 90-day schedule means four filters per unit per year, while pets or allergies push that to six or more.
Two ratings cover most buildings: MERV 8 for standard units and MERV 11 for pets or allergies, with MERV 13 where the system allows.
Buying by the case pays: the multi-pack price on this size can run about half the single-filter price.
What Is a 16x22x5 Electro-Air Filter?
A 16x22x5 Electro-Air filter is a 5-inch-deep replacement media filter made to fit Electro-Air compatible air cleaner cabinets. Filterbuy makes this size in MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 at its U.S. factories. The label shows the nominal size, but the cabinet is built around the actual size of 15.38 x 21.88 x 5.25 inches.
Five-inch filters hold far more pleated media than a standard 1-inch air filter or the 4-inch HVAC air filters many systems use, so they take longer to clog and are commonly sold as 3-month filters. The same stocking math works for 16x25x5 air filters.
How Do I Confirm the Size Before Buying in Bulk?
Measure the old filter in every unit. A true 16x22x5 Electro-Air filter is 15.38 x 21.88 x 5.25 inches. One detail surprised me when I compared listings side by side: two Electro-Air sizes both sold as "5-inch" aren't the same depth. The 16x22x5 is 5.25 inches deep, while the 16x20x5 is 4.38, so check depth as well as length and width.
A filter that doesn't seal can cause furnace filter whistling from air leaking around the edges, which is often the first sign of a wrong size.
How Many 16x22x5 Filters Should a Landlord Keep on Hand?
Multiply your units by each unit's changes per year, then add a 10 to 15 percent buffer. An eight-unit building on a 90-day cycle uses 32 filters a year, or about 36 with a buffer.
Count the units that use the 16x22x5 size.
Set each unit's interval: 90 days as the baseline, two months for pets, and six weeks for tenants with asthma or allergies, since dust, pet dander, and mold are common indoor asthma triggers. In Florida and other cooling-heavy markets, lean toward the shorter end.
Add the buffer for move-outs and damaged boxes.
Reorder when you're down to one change cycle's worth plus a week of shipping time.
What Does a Year of 16x22x5 Filters Cost per Unit?
Expect about $132 per unit per year on a 90-day schedule at multi-pack pricing, versus about $256 buying one filter at a time. Here's the math I ran: at Filterbuy's listed prices in early November 2026, a single 16x22x5 filter cost about $64, while four or more dropped to about $33 each. For the eight-unit example, the gap is roughly $1,100 a year.
The same listing includes Auto Delivery at 5% off, which can replace a manual reorder point if you match it to your change cycle.
How Do I Stock a Building With Mixed Filter Sizes?
Give each filter size its own count and reorder point. One-inch filters like the 25x25x1 furnace filter need changing far more often than 5-inch media, so they run out first.
Common 1-inch sizes include 16x25x1 furnace filters, which Filterbuy sells as a single 16x25x1 MERV 8 filter at Walmart, plus 20x20x1 air filters and 20x24x1 MERV 8 four-packs at Target. Deeper cabinets may take 16x25x4 pleated furnace filters on Amazon, 20x25x4 MERV 13 two-packs at Home Depot, or a 17.5x23.5x4 HVAC air filter. Two-inch racks may use a MERV 8 17x20x2 HVAC air filter. Replacement Air Filters covers other sizes, and owners with Canadian rentals can source 16x20x5 Electro-Air filters in Canada.
Which MERV Rating Should I Stock for Each Rental?
Stock MERV 8 for most units and MERV 11 for units with pets or allergies. Add MERV 13 only where an HVAC contractor confirms the system can handle it, since it's the EPA's suggested minimum when upgrading but adds airflow resistance.
MERV 8 for standard units: traps everyday dust and pollen.
MERV 11 for pet-friendly units: adds finer capture for pet allergens that forced-air systems spread through a home.
MERV 13 for sensitive tenants: a strong pick for residents with asthma or in smoke-prone areas, and the EPA recommends it for protecting indoor air during wildfires.
Set the order split by your pet policy. If two of eight units have pets, about a quarter of the order goes to MERV 11. The EPA's guide to air cleaners in the home advises using the highest rating your fan and filter slot can accommodate. If tenants ask about going further, this MERV 14 vs HEPA comparison explains the airflow trade-offs, and this overview of allergen furnace filters covers allergy-focused options.
How Should I Store Spare Filters?
Store spares in their original boxes, lying flat, in a dry, climate-controlled room and off bare concrete. The EPA's guide to mold and moisture suggests keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent, and damp or crushed media won't filter as rated.
Plan the shelf space: each filter has a footprint of roughly 15.4 x 21.9 inches. By my math, the 36 filters from the eight-unit example stack six high (about 32 inches) in six stacks, or roughly two 48-inch shelves.
Label by property and rating so techs grab the right box.
How Do I Keep Filter Changes on Schedule Across Units?
Put every unit on a written schedule and pair filter swaps with visits you already make. ENERGY STAR recommends checking filters monthly. My take: the move-out walkthrough is the most reliable filter day, because the unit is empty and no entry notice is needed.
Write the install date on the filter frame and log it by unit.
Bundle changes with pest control visits or seasonal inspections, with proper entry notice under your lease and state rules.
Point the airflow arrow toward the blower on every install.
Tag the cabinet with the change date, the next due date, and a number to call if the system whistles or the filter looks gray.
Why Does Filter Stocking Matter for Rental Properties?
A filter that isn't on the shelf turns into a skipped change. A clogged filter then strains the equipment and pushes more dust through a unit tenants live in every day.
For the heating side, see this look at furnace filters and heating system efficiency. In South Florida, attic insulation installation in Davie, FL can cut cooling load, and Keys owners adding ductless units can review the Florida Keys mini-split rebate and SEER minimums. For more reading, browse these HVAC air filter resources.
"Generally, we recommend replacing air filters every 90 days, every two months in homes with pets, and every six weeks for anyone with asthma or allergies. In rental buildings, the filter that causes trouble is usually the one that isn't on site when it's due, so keep at least one spare per unit."
Lorraine Brazzel, Author
Essential Resources
Electro-Air 16x22x5 replacement filters with actual size and MERV 8, 11, and 13 options. This product page lists the actual size and recommended change intervals for this filter.
EPA: What Is a MERV Rating? The EPA explains how MERV ratings work and when to upgrade to MERV 13.
ENERGY STAR: Maintenance Checklist. This checklist recommends inspecting filters monthly alongside other routine HVAC care.
HUD: Healthy Homes for Healthy Families. HUD frames home health around keeping a home clean, ventilated, and maintained.
NCHH: The Principles of a Healthy Home. The National Center for Healthy Housing outlines healthy home principles that fit a landlord's maintenance routine.
AAFA: Control Indoor Allergens. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America lays out practical steps for cutting allergens at home.
American Lung Association: Clean Air Indoors. This page explains why indoor air quality matters and notes that Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors.
Supporting Statistics
About one in three U.S. households rent. The U.S. homeownership rate was 65.5% in the third quarter of 2026, per the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Vacancies and Homeownership release.
88% of U.S. households use air conditioning. Two-thirds rely on central AC or a central heat pump, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
39% of U.S. renters live in apartments. That share comes from the National Multifamily Housing Council’s resident demographics data, which counts 45.6 million renter households nationwide.
Final Thoughts
After working through the numbers, my biggest takeaway is that the multi-pack price and a written count do most of the work. Confirm size and depth in every unit, and let the move-out walkthrough catch whatever the schedule misses.
Next Steps
Measure the filter in every unit and confirm the 16x22x5 size.
Assign each unit a change interval and a MERV rating.
Calculate your annual count, add a buffer, and set a reorder point or Auto Delivery.
Set up a labeled shelf, a change log, and cabinet tags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 16x20x5 Filter the Same as a 16x22x5?
No. A 16x22x5 measures 15.38 x 21.88 x 5.25 inches, while a 16x20x5 Electro-Air replacement filter measures 15.75 x 19.75 x 4.38 inches. The smaller filter leaves a gap, and unfiltered air slips around it.
How Can I Tell a 16x22x5 Filter Needs Changing?
Replace it on schedule even if it looks clean. Change it early if the media has turned gray or the system starts whistling.
Does a Filter Last Longer in a Vacant Unit?
Usually, yes, since the system runs less with nobody home. Install a fresh filter before move-in anyway so the new tenant's 90-day clock starts clean.
Who Is Responsible for Changing Filters in a Rental?
Whoever your lease names, within local law. If the lease is silent, add a clause, because the owner pays for the equipment a clogged filter wears out.
Keep Every Rental Ready With the Right 16x22x5 Filters
A stocked shelf of correctly sized 16x22x5 Electro-Air filters turns filter changes from a scramble into a routine. Run your count, set your reorder point, and every unit stays on schedule.
Glossary
16x22x5 Electro-Air Filter: A 16x22x5 Electro-Air filter is a 5-inch-deep replacement media filter for Electro-Air compatible air cleaner cabinets, made in the USA by Filterbuy, with an actual size of 15.38 x 21.88 x 5.25 inches, available in MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13.
MERV: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, an ASHRAE-based rating from 1 to 16 that shows how well a filter captures particles between 0.3 and 10 microns.
Media Air Cleaner: A cabinet installed in the return duct that holds a deep pleated filter, usually 4 to 5 inches thick.
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