Furnace filter box and method of assembly

A furnace filter box adapted for mounting next to an intake air opening in a furnace, the filter box disposed under an air intake in a lower portion of a furnace, the filter box adapted for receiving at least one furnace filter therein for filtering intake air received from an air intake duct, the filter box comprising:

• a vertical front panel with a furnace filter door, the front panel attached to sides of a vertical first side panel and a vertical second side panel, the first and second panels attached to a vertical back panel, a horizontal bottom panel is attached to a bottom portion of the front, the back and first and second side panels, the front, the back and the first and second side panels includes spaced apart vertical strength ribs formed therein for adding strength to the filter box;
• a pair of “U” shaped horizontal furnace filter rails mounted to an inside of an upper portion of the first and second side panels, the filter rails having a width of 1 inch and greater for receiving different widths of furnace filters, the filter rails adapted for holding the furnace filter next to an enlarged open top in the filter box and covering the open top;
• and
• a vertical air intake opening in the first side panel, the air intake opening adapted for receiving an end of the air intake duct.

A method of assembling a furnace filter box, the filter box adapted for mounting next to an intake air opening in a furnace, the filter box adapted for receiving at least one furnace filter therein for filtering intake air received from an air intake duct, the steps including:

• attaching sides of a front panel with a furnace filter door to sides of a first side panel and a second side panel;
• attaching the sides of the first and second panels to sides of a back panel;
• attaching sides of a bottom panel to a bottom portion of the front, the back and first and second side panels,
• mounting a pair of “U” shaped furnace filter rails to an inside of an upper portion of the first and second side panels, the filter rails having a width of 1 inch and greater for receiving different widths of furnace filters, the filter rails adapted for holding the furnace filter next to an enlarged open top in the filter box and covering the open top;
• cutting an air intake opening in the first side panel, the air intake opening adapted for receiving an end of the air intake duct;
• and
• mounting the assembled furnace filter box next to the intake air opening in the furnace.