slim filter

Slim Filter

This page lists all 1 Slim Filter replacement filters available from Metal Air Filters — precision-manufactured washable aluminum mesh filters engineered as direct OEM replacements for Carrier commercial HVAC equipment. All filters on this page are HI Series products manufactured by American Metal Filter Company (AMFCO) with .030" extruded aluminum alloy frames, corrugated aluminum mesh media, UL 900 Class 1 certification, and a 275°F maximum operating temperature rating.

Each filter is a permanent washable replacement — clean and reuse for 5–10 years rather than replacing disposable filters every 30–90 days. AMFCO’s aluminum mesh construction provides 43% average dust arrestance per ASHRAE 52.1, making these filters ideal pre-filters in multi-stage Carrier commercial HVAC systems protecting downstream MERV 8 through HEPA filtration stages in rooftop units, air handlers, and split systems.

Commercial & Industrial Applications

Carrier commercial HVAC equipment is deployed across a wide range of commercial, institutional, and industrial building types. The following applications represent the primary use cases for Slim Filter permanent washable aluminum mesh filters.

The ECAS05 custom 1/2-inch washable electrostatic air filter delivers versatile performance across residential, commercial, and light industrial environments where both non-standard filter housing dimensions and extremely limited cavity depth make standard catalog sizes and conventional 1-inch filter profiles impractical or impossible. The ultra-slim 1/2” profile and robust aluminum construction make this custom filter the definitive solution for HVAC configurations with minimal filter compartment depth—from custom-built homes with unusually shallow filter housings to older commercial equipment with slim-profile filter slots that no modern standard filter fits.

Residential HVAC Systems

Homeowners choose the ECAS05 custom washable MERV 6 electrostatic air filter when their forced-air heating and cooling system, heat pump, or split system equipment uses a filter housing with an unusually shallow cavity depth that cannot accommodate a standard 1-inch filter. Custom-built homes with sleek recessed filter housings, historic properties with original slim-profile filter compartments, architectural HVAC installations designed to minimize equipment footprint, and retrofit situations where duct modifications reduced the available filter cavity depth all represent scenarios where only a 1/2-inch filter profile can be installed. The ECAS05 is also the correct choice when a non-standard H × W dimension compounds the depth constraint—no standard catalog filter is available in both the unusual size and the 1/2-inch depth simultaneously. The permanent washable air filter design eliminates the compounded frustration of locating and re-purchasing hard-to-find thin non-standard disposable filters; with the ECAS05, you order once, wash to maintain, and replace only when the filter sustains physical damage over its decades-long service life. The lightweight .025” aluminum frame makes handling straightforward during washing and reinstallation regardless of the custom dimensions specified, and the nominal-minus-half-inch H × W sizing convention ensures precise fitment in the actual housing opening.

Commercial HVAC Systems and Office Buildings

Commercial property managers, building operators, and facilities teams choose the ECAS05 custom washable electrostatic air filter for office buildings, retail spaces, and institutional facilities where equipment age, original specification, or architectural constraints resulted in filter housing configurations with both unusual nominal dimensions and shallow cavity depths not served by any standard catalog filter. Older commercial buildings constructed before filter size standardization often contain air handling units with slim-profile filter banks in unusual nominal dimensions that facilities teams struggle to stock—a double constraint the ECAS05 resolves permanently. The 1/2-inch nominal depth is specifically engineered for these shallow-housing applications, and once you have a custom ECAS05 built to your housing dimensions, the wash-and-reinstall cycle replaces ongoing procurement challenges with a simple maintenance routine. Building maintenance teams implementing washable electrostatic air filter programs across slim-profile non-standard equipment convert recurring special-order thin disposable filter costs into periodic washing schedules, reducing annual filtration expenditures while maintaining consistent MERV 6 air quality throughout occupied spaces.

Light Industrial and Warehouse Operations

Light manufacturing operations, distribution centers, warehouse facilities, and laboratory environments with custom or modified air handling equipment featuring shallow filter banks benefit from the ECAS05 custom washable electrostatic air filter’s ability to be specified to exact slim-profile housing dimensions not found in any standard product catalog. Custom-engineered ventilation systems with space-constrained filter compartments, process air handlers with shallow filter banks, and retrofit installations that reduced original filter cavity depth all represent applications where the 1/2-inch custom profile is the only viable path to permanent washable filtration. The passive electrostatic charge captures fine particulates in woodworking shops, light assembly operations, packaging facilities, and clean manufacturing environments, while the washable aluminum construction allows maintenance crews to restore filter performance without special-order disposable filter procurement delays. The 150°F maximum temperature rating covers all standard light industrial HVAC applications, and the custom dimensions ensure proper fitment that prevents bypass airflow in any slim-housing configuration.

Multi-Family Residential Properties

Apartment complexes, condominium developments, townhome communities, and property management companies operating HVAC equipment with shallow non-standard filter dimensions realize significant operational savings by deploying ECAS05 custom washable electrostatic filters permanently sized to their equipment. Multi-family properties with centralized air handling infrastructure that uses slim-profile filter slots in unusual dimensions face a constant dual procurement challenge: the filters must be both thin and non-standard in H × W. The ECAS05 resolves both constraints simultaneously with a single custom order. Property management companies serving large portfolios of older buildings with inconsistent shallow filter housing specifications can obtain custom-cut 1/2-inch washable filters for each unique housing dimension, standardizing on a wash-based maintenance program that eliminates per-unit procurement complexity. With proper care, these custom washable filters serve indefinitely, converting a perpetual procurement challenge into a routine maintenance schedule.

Ordering the ECAS05 custom 1/2-inch washable electrostatic air filter requires knowing your required nominal dimensions—the standard industry convention for specifying filter size. Follow these steps to ensure you receive a filter that fits your housing perfectly:

Step 1: Measure Your Filter Housing Opening

Remove the existing filter (or open the filter access door if no filter is present) and measure the actual interior opening of the filter housing in both height and width. Use a tape measure and record both dimensions to the nearest 1/8”. Also measure the available cavity depth to confirm the housing requires or accommodates a 1/2-inch profile. If an old disposable filter is present, you can read the nominal size printed on its label—but verify this matches your actual housing opening and depth, as filters sometimes ship in incorrect sizes.

Step 2: Determine Your Nominal Dimensions (Add 1/2” to Each Measurement)

Filter nominal sizes are the “named” dimensions used for ordering, which are always larger than the actual filter by 1/2” on each face dimension. To convert your measured housing opening to nominal ordering dimensions: add 1/2” to your measured H and add 1/2” to your measured W. The resulting nominal H × W is what you specify when ordering. For example: if your housing opening measures 15.5” × 19.5”, your nominal ordering dimensions are 16” × 20”. The ECAS05 will be built to 15.5” × 19.5” actual face dimensions, fitting your housing opening with standard industry clearance.

Step 3: Confirm the 1/2-Inch Depth

The ECAS05 is 1/2-inch nominal depth with an actual depth of 1/2” (0.5”) exact—the thinnest EC Series profile available, purpose-built for slim HVAC housings with very limited filter cavity depth. Verify your filter housing specifically requires this slim profile before ordering. If your housing can accommodate a standard 1-inch depth, see the ECAS10 Custom 1-Inch Washable Electrostatic Air Filter for the most widely compatible depth option. If your housing requires a 2-inch depth instead, see the ECAS20 Custom 2-Inch Washable Electrostatic Air Filter.

Step 4: Place Your Order

Enter your required nominal H × W dimensions when ordering the ECAS05. Our team reviews custom orders to ensure the specified dimensions are within manufacturer production limits. Standard lead time for custom-cut filters is typically longer than stock items—contact Metal Air Filters for current production and shipping timelines on your specific custom dimensions. Once received, your ECAS05 is a permanent washable electrostatic air filter: wash as needed with warm water and reinstall for decades of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean and wash the ECAS05 electrostatic air filter?

Remove the ECAS05 from your HVAC system and rinse with a moderate-to-heavy stream of warm water, washing from the clean side through to the dirty side to push accumulated dust out through the loaded face. Continue rinsing until water runs completely clear. Allow the filter to air dry completely in a clean location before reinstalling—typically 1–4 hours depending on ambient conditions. Do NOT apply adhesive coatings or filter spray treatments; it is not advisable to coat EC Series filters with any adhesive coating as these products interfere with the passive electrostatic charge. The charge restores naturally as the filter dries and normal airflow resumes.

How often should I wash this custom 1/2-inch electrostatic air filter?

Most residential applications require washing every 3–6 months under normal household conditions. Homes with multiple pets, heavy outdoor air introduction, or elevated particulate environments may require more frequent washing. Commercial applications should establish schedules based on visual inspection and differential pressure monitoring. The most reliable indicator is visual inspection—wash when the filter appears visibly loaded with dust accumulation across the face, regardless of elapsed time since the last cleaning cycle.

What is the MERV rating of the ECAS05?

The ECAS05 is rated MERV 6 with 85% dust arrestance efficiency at rated airflow per ASHRAE 52.2 at 300 FPM face velocity. MERV 6 performance captures common household and commercial particulates including dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, bacteria, and household debris, while maintaining low airflow resistance compatible with all standard HVAC fan systems.

What sizes are available for the ECAS05 custom filter?

The ECAS05 is custom-cut to any H × W nominal dimensions you specify at time of order, up to the manufacturer’s maximum production dimensions. Depth is fixed at 1/2-inch nominal (1/2″ exact actual). There is no minimum size restriction for standard custom orders; contact Metal Air Filters to confirm your specific dimensions are within current production capabilities. If your housing can accommodate more depth, see the ECAS10 Custom 1-Inch Washable Electrostatic Air Filter for 1-inch nominal depth, or the ECAS20 Custom 2-Inch Washable Electrostatic Air Filter for 2-inch nominal depth.

How do I measure for a custom 1/2-inch filter?

First confirm your housing cavity depth requires the 1/2-inch profile. Then measure the actual interior opening of your filter housing in both height and width. Add 1/2″ to each measurement to convert to nominal ordering dimensions (nominal = actual + 1/2″ on H and W). For example: a housing opening of 17.5″ H × 21.5″ W means you order nominal 18″ H × 22″ W. The ECAS05 will be built to 17.5″ H × 21.5″ W actual, fitting your opening with standard industry clearance. The depth is always 1/2-inch nominal (1/2″ exact actual). Verify your measurements carefully, as custom-cut filters are non-returnable once manufactured.

What are the actual dimensions of my custom ECAS05 filter?

Actual face dimensions are always 1/2″ smaller than nominal on both height and width: actual H = nominal H − 0.5″, actual W = nominal W − 0.5″. The actual depth is 1/2″ (0.5″) exact for the ECAS05, with tolerance of ±1/16″. This follows the universal industry standard for HVAC filter sizing on the face dimensions. When you provide your nominal H × W at order, your ECAS05 will be built to nominal minus 1/2″ on each face dimension with 1/2″ exact actual depth.

Can I apply an adhesive coating to the ECAS05 washable electrostatic filter?

No—do NOT apply adhesive coatings, tacky treatments, or filter spray compounds to EC Series electrostatic filters. Per AMFCO manufacturer specifications, it is not advisable to coat EC Series filters with any adhesive coating. These products interfere with the polypropylene media’s passive triboelectric charging mechanism essential for MERV 6 filtration performance. The electrostatic charge restores naturally after washing during normal airflow operation—no treatments are needed or beneficial.

What is the maximum operating temperature of the ECAS05?

The ECAS05 is rated for maximum continuous operation at 150°F. This covers all standard residential forced-air systems, heat pumps, and the vast majority of commercial HVAC equipment operating under normal conditions. Do not install this filter in applications exceeding 150°F, such as high-temperature process heating, industrial furnace ventilation, or commercial kitchen exhaust systems where temperatures could damage the polypropylene electrostatic media.

How long does a custom ECAS05 washable electrostatic filter last?

With proper care, regular washing, and protection from physical damage during handling, the ECAS05 custom washable electrostatic air filter is designed for decades of reliable service. The aluminum frame resists corrosion from water exposure and the electrostatic media maintains its charge regeneration capability through thousands of normal airflow cycles and washing operations. Many users report 10–20+ years of service from properly maintained EC Series filters, providing substantial long-term savings over repeated special-order thin disposable filter replacement.

Does the ECAS05 work with all HVAC systems?

Yes—the ECAS05 is rated at 300 FPM face velocity with low static resistance, compatible with all standard residential and commercial HVAC fan systems including forced-air furnaces, heat pumps, split systems, and air handlers. The filter may be installed vertically or horizontally. The ECAS05 is specifically designed for HVAC housings that require the ultra-slim 1/2-inch profile—thin filter slots, shallow retrofit cavities, and space-constrained installations where a standard 1-inch nominal filter cannot physically fit. Ensure custom-specified nominal dimensions match your housing opening precisely to prevent bypass airflow.