Dust to Allergens: MERV 13 16x22x5 Day and Night Air Filter

Don’t take your indoor air for granted. Right now, inside your home, particles too small to see are cycling through your HVAC system on every pass — dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and bacteria-carrying particles that a standard filter simply lets slip through. If your Day and Night HVAC system takes a 16x22x5 filter, you already have the right cabinet for the job. The only question is whether the filter inside it is actually doing the work your family deserves.

The MERV 13 16x22x5 Day and Night air filter from Filterbuy is engineered to close that gap. At MERV 13 — the highest efficiency rating widely recommended for residential use — it captures particles as small as 0.3 microns, trapping 98% of airborne contaminants without restricting the airflow your system depends on. After manufacturing filters for over a decade and serving more than two million households across the country, we know what separates a filter that performs from one that just sits in the slot.

This page will show you exactly what your MERV 13 16x22x5 filter captures, how it fits your Day and Night system, and why upgrading to MERV 13 is one of the most impactful choices you can make for your family’s air. Let’s make the invisible visible.

TL;DR Quick Answers

MERV 13 16x22x5 Day and Night Air Filter

The Filterbuy MERV 13 16x22x5 is the direct replacement filter for Day and Night HVAC systems using part numbers FS1620, M0-1056, MU1620, 9183940, 918394, and MFAH-S. Its actual size is 15.38" x 21.88" x 5.25". At MERV 13, it captures 98% of airborne particles — including dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and bacteria-carrying particles as small as 0.3 microns — without restricting airflow in your 5-inch cabinet system. Manufactured in the United States. Replace every 90 days under normal conditions.

• Filter size: 16x22x5 nominal / 15.38" x 21.88" x 5.25" actual

• MERV rating: 13 (captures particles down to 0.3 microns)

• Capture rate: 98% of airborne particles

• Compatible part numbers: FS1620, M0-1056, MU1620, 9183940, 918394, MFAH-S

• Also fits: Amana, Goodman, Coleman, BDP, Electro-Air, Payne, York, and more

• Replacement interval: Every 90 days standard; every 60 days for pet or allergy households

• Made in: USA

Top Takeaways

• MERV 13 captures what lower ratings miss. Particles from 0.3 to 1.0 microns — including smoke, bacteria-carriers, and fine allergens — are the ones most dangerous to respiratory health. MERV 13 is the first residential rating designed to stop them.

• Your 5-inch cabinet is built for this. Day and Night HVAC systems with a 16x22x5 slot have the cabinet depth to support MERV 13 without restricting airflow. You don’t need to compromise between clean air and system efficiency.

• The actual size is 15.38″ x 21.88″ x 5.25″. Nominal and actual size are different. The 16x22x5 is the nominal shorthand. Always confirm your cabinet accepts a 5-inch filter before ordering.

• Compatibility is verified. This filter replaces Day and Night part numbers FS1620, M0-1056, MU1620, 9183940, 918394, and MFAH-S. It also fits Amana, Goodman, Coleman, and a dozen other brands sharing the same nominal size.

• Replace every 90 days — or up to 12 months. Standard households should change on a 90-day cycle. Pet owners and allergy sufferers should check sooner. Low-occupancy homes with 5-inch filters may stretch to 12 months.

• Built in the United States, guaranteed to fit. Every Filterbuy filter is manufactured domestically. If your filter doesn’t fit, we’ll send you the correct size — no questions asked.

What Is MERV 13 and Why Does Your Day and Night System Need It?

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It’s the industry-standard scale, defined under ASHRAE Standard 52.2, that rates how effectively a filter captures particles of different sizes. The scale runs from 1 to 20. A MERV 8 filter captures most large particles — lint, dust mites, pollen. A MERV 11 adds fine dust and pet dander. MERV 13 goes further, capturing particles as small as 0.3 microns: smoke, bacteria-carrying particles, smog, and the microscopic allergens that make allergy seasons feel like an ambush inside your own home.

What makes MERV 13 the right choice for a Day and Night 16x22x5 system specifically is the cabinet depth. Most 1-inch filter housings can’t handle MERV 13 without straining the blower motor. A 5-inch deep cabinet solves that equation entirely. The larger surface area created by the deeper filter means the same airflow passes through with far less resistance, even at a higher efficiency rating. You get hospital-quality air cleaning without the airflow penalty.

How the 16x22x5 Filter Fits Your Day and Night HVAC System

When you look at your old filter, you’ll see two different measurements. The nominal size — the large number printed on the frame, like 16x22x5 — is a rounded shorthand for easy shopping. The actual size is the precise physical dimension: 15.38″ x 21.88″ x 5.25″. That slight difference is intentional. Filters are manufactured smaller than the slot so they slide in cleanly without bending the frame or forcing the fit.

If you’re replacing a Day and Night filter and want to confirm compatibility before ordering, look for these filter part numbers on your old frame or system documentation:

• FS1620, M0-1056, MU1620, 9183940, 918394, MFAH-S

• Totaline part number: P102-1620

• Housing numbers: ABB1620 and related Day and Night cabinet designations

This same 16x22x5 filter also fits Amana, Goodman, BDP, Coleman, Electro-Air, Five Seasons, Gibson, Maytag, Nordyne, Payne, and York HVAC systems using the same cabinet size. If your filter is missing or damaged and you can’t find the part number, measure the filter slot opening and round each dimension up to the nearest whole inch. That gives you the nominal size.

Pro tip: If the filter you receive doesn’t fit your system, Filterbuy will send you a better-fitting size. We’ve been doing this long enough to know that even identical cabinet designations can have minor variations between production years. We’ll make it right.

From Dust to Allergens: What the MERV 13 16x22x5 Captures Particle by Particle

Most homeowners think of air filtration in general terms. We think about it in microns. Here is exactly what your MERV 13 16x22x5 filter stops on every cycle through your Day and Night system:

• Dust, lint, and debris (>10 microns): Captured. These are the particles most filters stop. MERV 13 eliminates them completely.

• Pollen and dust mite debris (5–10 microns): Captured. Seasonal allergy sufferers feel the difference within days of upgrading.

• Mold spores and pet dander (1–5 microns): Captured. Mold spores are a primary trigger for respiratory irritation and asthma. Pet dander is finer than most people realize.

• Smoke, smog, and bacteria-carrying particles (0.3–1.0 microns): Captured. This is where MERV 13 pulls away from every lower-rated filter. These microscopic particles are the ones most directly associated with respiratory disease and immune response.

The electrostatically charged pleated media inside each Filterbuy 16x22x5 MERV 13 filter doesn’t just physically block particles — it attracts and holds them. Eleven pleats per foot create the surface area needed to trap fine particles without building up resistance. The dual wire backing keeps pleats evenly spaced so performance stays consistent from the first day of use to the last.

To understand the full spectrum of what’s living in your home’s air and how it affects health, the EPA’s resource on biological pollutants and indoor air quality is a strong starting point.

How Long Does the 16x22x5 MERV 13 Filter Last? Replacement Schedule Explained

The standard recommendation for a MERV 13 16x22x5 replacement filter is every 90 days. But your actual replacement interval depends on how your home and system are being used:

• Pet households: Replace every 60 days. Pet dander and hair load the filter faster and reduce its effective life.

• Allergy or asthma households: Replace every 60–90 days. When the filter’s job is to actively reduce symptoms, maintaining peak efficiency matters more.

• Standard households (no pets, average occupancy): 90 days is the sweet spot. You get maximum performance across the full cycle.

• Low-occupancy or vacation homes: A 5-inch filter in a lightly used system can last up to 12 months. The greater media surface area handles lower airflow volumes without clogging prematurely.

Setting up a recurring order removes the guesswork entirely. When your next filter arrives, it’s time to change the current one. No forgotten filter, no degraded air quality, no emergency hardware store run.

Why Filterbuy’s 16x22x5 MERV 13 Is Built Differently

In our experience manufacturing filters for over a decade and serving more than two million households, we’ve learned exactly where a filter’s construction determines whether it performs or just pretends to. Here’s what sets the Filterbuy MERV 13 16x22x5 apart:

• Electrostatically charged pleated media: Our filter media doesn’t just mechanically block particles. The electrostatic charge attracts microscopic particles to the media surface, improving capture rates at the fine end of the particle-size range.

• 11 pleats per foot: More pleats mean more filtration surface area. More surface area means less pressure drop and longer filter life. This is why our filters last 3x longer than standard fiberglass models.

• Dual wire backing: Pleats that collapse or shift under high airflow create gaps that let particles through. Our dual wire backing holds the pleat structure stable under the full range of HVAC operating conditions.

• Beverage board frame: Our recyclable beverage board frame resists humidity and temperature extremes that warp and degrade standard cardboard frames over time. A collapsed frame means bypass — unfiltered air around the edges of your filter.

• 100% manufactured in the United States: Every Filterbuy filter is made in our facilities in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah. American manufacturing means consistent quality control on every batch.

“What most homeowners don’t realize is that their 5-inch Day and Night cabinet is essentially purpose-built for MERV 13 — the deeper housing eliminates the airflow restriction that makes high-efficiency filtration impractical in thinner systems, so you get genuinely cleaner air without asking your blower motor to work harder.”

— Filterbuy HVAC Filtration Specialist, with over 10 years in residential and commercial air filtration manufacturing

7 Essential Resources on Indoor Air Quality and Air Filtration

You’re already doing the right thing by taking your home’s air quality seriously. These seven authoritative resources will help you go deeper on the science, the standards, and the real-world health stakes behind every filter change.

1. Wikipedia: Air Filter

A foundational overview of how air filters work, the history of filtration standards, and how MERV, HEPA, and other rating systems compare. A useful reference for understanding how the 16x22x5 MERV 13 fits within the broader filtration landscape.

URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_filter

2. U.S. EPA: Introduction to Indoor Air Quality

The EPA’s essential primer on what indoor air pollution is, where it comes from, and the full spectrum of health effects linked to poor indoor air quality — including respiratory disease, heart disease, and long-term exposure risks.

URL: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality

3. U.S. EPA: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home

The EPA’s practical consumer guide to selecting furnace and HVAC filters for home use, including guidance on MERV ratings and what level of filtration is appropriate for different household situations, including allergy and asthma households.

URL: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home

4. U.S. EPA: What Is a HEPA Filter?

The EPA’s explanation of HEPA filtration alongside context for MERV ratings, including the note that filters with a MERV between 7 and 13 are nearly as effective as true HEPA filters for controlling most airborne indoor particles. Useful for homeowners deciding between residential filtration options.

URL: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter

5. U.S. EPA: Biological Pollutants and Indoor Air Quality

The EPA’s detailed resource on biological contaminants — bacteria, mold, pet allergens, dust mites, pollen, and viruses — and the health impacts associated with each. Directly relevant to what a MERV 13 filter is designed to capture.

URL: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/biological-pollutants-impact-indoor-air-quality

6. ASHRAE: Filtration and Disinfection FAQ

ASHRAE’s official resource on air filtration standards, including the MERV rating framework defined in ASHRAE Standard 52.2. The industry authority behind every MERV rating printed on your filter. Recommended reading for anyone wanting to understand the technical foundation of filter efficiency ratings.

URL: https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/filtration-and-disinfection-faq

7. CDC NCHS: Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Adults, United States 2024

The CDC’s most recent national data report on allergic conditions, including seasonal allergies and eczema prevalence by age, sex, and region. Provides critical context for why indoor allergen control — the job of your MERV 13 filter — is a public health priority, not just a household preference.

URL: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db545.htm

3 Statistics That Put Indoor Air Quality in Perspective

These numbers come from authoritative government and public health sources. They are the kind of data that makes the case for upgrading your air filtration better than any product description ever could.

1. Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.

Source: U.S. EPA — Indoor Air Quality Report on the Environment

2. Approximately 3 in 10 U.S. adults and children reported having at least one diagnosed allergy — including seasonal allergies, eczema, or food allergies — in 2024.

Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics — Press Release, January 2026

3. True high-efficiency filters rated MERV 13 to 16 can reduce indoor airborne particles by as much as 95 percent compared to unfiltered air.

Source: U.S. EPA — Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Indoor Air Filtration

Final Thoughts and Our Honest Opinion

Upgrading to a MERV 13 16x22x5 filter isn’t a luxury decision. It’s a practical one. The particles that MERV 13 captures — fine allergens, smoke, bacteria-carrying particles, mold spores — are exactly the ones linked to the respiratory conditions that most burden families at home. And if your Day and Night system has a 5-inch cabinet, you already have a system that can deliver MERV 13 performance without compromise.

In our experience working with more than two million households, the homeowners who report the most noticeable improvement in their home’s air quality share one thing in common: they committed to a consistent replacement schedule. The filter itself matters enormously. But the discipline to change it on time is what makes the difference between a home that consistently breathes clean and one that just feels like it does.

Our honest recommendation: if your Day and Night system accepts a 16x22x5 filter and anyone in your home has allergies, asthma, pets, or young children, MERV 13 is the right call. Not because it’s the most expensive option — it isn’t. Because it’s the level of protection that actually addresses the particles your family is breathing. The ones you can’t see are the ones worth stopping.

Next Steps

You now know what your MERV 13 16x22x5 Day and Night replacement filter does, how it fits, and why it matters. Here’s how to move forward:

1. Confirm your filter size. Check the current filter in your Day and Night system. The nominal size (16x22x5) will appear in large text on the frame. If the filter is missing, measure the filter slot and round each dimension up to the nearest inch.

2. Verify your part number. Cross-reference your system’s filter part number against our compatibility list: FS1620, M0-1056, MU1620, 9183940, 918394, MFAH-S, or Totaline P102-1620. Any of these confirms the 16x22x5 Filterbuy MERV 13 is your replacement.

3. Set your replacement schedule. Choose your filter quantity based on your replacement cycle — 90 days for most households, 60 days for pet homes, up to 12 months for low-occupancy spaces. A multi-pack subscription ensures you never run past your window.

4. Order once, breathe consistently. Filterbuy ships your filters directly to your door, free. If your order doesn’t fit, we make it right. No guesswork, no returns maze, no trips to the hardware store.

5. Read our airflow guide if you want to go deeper. If you’re curious about how MERV 13 interacts with your system’s CFM requirements, our resource on best MERV 13 filter CFM ratings covers it in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a MERV 13 16x22x5 air filter capture?

A MERV 13 16x22x5 filter captures dust, lint, pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, smoke particles, smog, and bacteria-carrying particles as small as 0.3 microns. Per ASHRAE Standard 52.2, MERV 13 achieves at least 75% efficiency in the 0.3–1.0 micron particle size range and over 85% efficiency in the 1.0–3.0 micron range. In practice, Filterbuy’s MERV 13 filters trap 98% of airborne particles on each pass through your HVAC system.

Is the 16x22x5 MERV 13 filter compatible with my Day and Night HVAC system?

Yes, if your system uses any of the following filter part numbers: FS1620, M0-1056, MU1620, 9183940, 918394, or MFAH-S. Housing designations including ABB1620 also confirm compatibility. The 16x22x5 Filterbuy MERV 13 is a direct aftermarket replacement for Day and Night systems requiring this nominal size, as well as compatible Amana, Goodman, BDP, Coleman, Electro-Air, Five Seasons, Gibson, Maytag, Nordyne, Payne, York, and Totaline systems.

What is the actual size of a 16x22x5 air filter?

The actual measured size of a 16x22x5 air filter is 15.38″ x 21.88″ x 5.25″. The nominal size — 16x22x5 — is the rounded shorthand printed on the filter frame and used for ordering. Filters are intentionally manufactured slightly smaller than nominal so they slide into the cabinet slot without bending the frame or creating bypass gaps.

How often should I replace my 16x22x5 MERV 13 filter?

Replace your 16x22x5 MERV 13 filter every 90 days under standard household conditions. If your home has one or more pets, aim for 60 days. Allergy and asthma households benefit from 60–90 day cycles to maintain peak performance. Low-occupancy homes — vacation properties or single-occupant spaces without pets — can often extend to 12 months with a 5-inch filter without a meaningful decline in air quality.

Will a MERV 13 filter restrict airflow in my Day and Night system?

Not in a 5-inch cabinet. Day and Night HVAC systems designed for a 16x22x5 filter have a cabinet depth that accommodates MERV 13 without significant static pressure increases. The larger surface area of a 5-inch pleated filter means the same volume of air passes through with less resistance than a 1-inch filter at the same MERV rating. For technical details on how MERV 13 affects CFM across different system configurations, see our MERV 13 airflow resource.

What is the difference between MERV 13 and MERV 8?

MERV 8 captures particles in the 3–10 micron range — large dust, lint, and pollen. MERV 13 adds capture of particles from 0.3 to 3.0 microns: smoke, bacteria-carrying particles, fine allergens, and smog. For households with allergies, pets, or anyone with a respiratory condition, MERV 13 provides substantially better protection because it stops the particles that drive the most health impacts.

What brands use the 16x22x5 filter size?

The 16x22x5 nominal filter size is used by Day and Night, Amana, Goodman, BDP, Coleman, Electro-Air, Five Seasons, Gibson, Maytag, Nordyne, Payne, and York HVAC systems. Totaline systems using part number P102-1620 are also compatible. Confirm compatibility by checking the part number printed on your current filter or the filter slot label on your HVAC cabinet.

Are Filterbuy MERV 13 filters made in the United States?

Yes. Every Filterbuy air filter is manufactured in the United States, with production facilities in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah. Our filters are made with recyclable beverage board frames, electrostatically charged pleated media, and dual wire backing — all designed and assembled domestically with consistent quality control on every batch.

Your Home's Air Has Met Its Match — Order Your MERV 13 16x22x5 Day and Night Replacement Filter Today

From dust to allergens, the invisible pollutants hiding in your home's air don't stand a chance against a filter built to stop them — shop Filterbuy's American-made MERV 13 16x22x5 and breathe the difference with every cycle.