No, the 20x25x5 air filter is one inch wider than the 20x25x4 and won't fit in the slot made for the latter. While it may be possible to use the reverse, not all ovens are compatible with a 20x25x4 air filter. Some ovens, especially older models, can only accommodate thinner filters. However, since 20x25x4 air filters are more effective at filtering, some homeowners choose to resize their ovens to fit them.
If your oven isn't compatible with a 20x25x4 air filter, you can talk to your HVAC technicians to change the size of your oven's filter chamber. This is an effective way to improve indoor air quality since all indoor air must pass through the air filter when you turn on the heating and air conditioning. The 20x25x5 air filter can capture up to 50 percent of all indoor air particles and germs. On the other hand, using a 4-inch thick air filter for a system that is made for a 1-inch thick filter will actually reduce efficiency and could damage components.
You can use a 1-inch thick filter in compartments that can accommodate a deeper filter, but it may be too shallow and cause a loose fit that allows unfiltered air to enter the ducts. Reducing the thickness by one inch shouldn't be a problem; for example, you should be able to use a 4-inch filter instead of a 5-inch filter. A 20x25x4 air filter captures at least 65 percent of particles with a size between 1.0 and 3.0 microns. At four inches thick, it offers more surface area to capture additional particles, lasts longer and offers many other benefits.
The average homeowner won't need more than two 20x25x4 air filters in any given year. Heating and air conditioning specialists recommend maintaining the air conditioning at least twice a year, in addition to regularly changing dirty 20x25x4 air filters. When homeowners regularly use a clean 20x25x4 air filter, they protect not only the air in their home but also their heating and air conditioning equipment.