Air Filter Factory Replacement For 14911, 32-14911, ES12 Sears Kenmore Humidifier Wick Filter 4-Pack

What it is and where it fits

I tested the Air Filter Factory wick filters as replacements for the 14911/32-14911/ES12 style found in many older Sears/Kenmore evaporative humidifiers. Each filter measures 5 x 10 x 13 inches and arrives in a four-pack, which covers a full heating season for most households if you maintain them properly. They’re made of a dense paper-pulp media with a thin aluminum reinforcement layer bonded to the surface. The idea is straightforward: maximize wicking and moisture output while preventing the filter from collapsing or deforming as it becomes saturated and later mineral-laden.

Build and materials

The construction is better than most generic wicks I’ve handled. The paper media feels uniform and tightly formed, without the loose fibers that tend to shed and clog pumps or water channels. The aluminum reinforcement is the standout here. It’s lightweight, smooth to the touch, and it gives the filter a bit of backbone so it doesn’t bow or slump after a few weeks of use. It also makes flipping the filter (more on that below) easier, because the wick retains its shape when you pull it out and rotate it.

A couple of practical notes from handling:
- Edges are cleanly cut; I didn’t find frayed paper strands.
- The aluminum layer did not corrode or stain my reservoir during a typical 45-day cycle.
- The media discolors as minerals accumulate, which is normal and not a reason to change it by itself—performance is the real guide.

Installation and fit

These filters are designed to replace a curved, pleated OEM wick that many of the Kenmore consoles used. Because of the aluminum reinforcement, the new wicks are a bit stiffer than the old paper-only pleats. In my unit, the wick needed a little persuasion to seat into the curved track. It’s not a struggle, but you should expect to guide the top and bottom edges into place rather than having the filter naturally conform to the housing.

A few tips from my installs:
- Dry fit first. Make sure the corners are fully seated, then slide the housing closed to confirm no pinching.
- If your humidifier uses a curved cradle, gently flex the wick with both hands along the curve before placing it. Don’t crease it—just a gradual bend helps.
- Check your model tag against the part numbers (14911, 32-14911, ES12). These filters are specific; guessing by look or size isn’t worth the hassle.

Once seated, the filter sat secure, didn’t rattle, and the fan clearance was correct.

Startup and performance

With evaporative humidifiers, the real measure is consistent wicking and steady humidity over long runtimes. On first start, I like to pre-wet the wick by pouring a bit of water over the media and letting it sit for a few minutes. It isn’t strictly necessary, but it speeds up initial wicking so the fan isn’t blowing over a dry surface for the first hour.

In use, these wicks pulled water reliably and kept my humidity where I wanted it across a mid-size living area. Output was comparable to my old OEM filters, with no noticeable drop until the final week of a 6-week cycle when mineral buildup started to slow absorption. Once that happens, the fan sounds harsher while the humidity set point lags—both are signals it’s time to swap.

A few maintenance habits made a clear difference:
- Flip the filter every time you refill the tank. It evens out mineral deposition and drying patterns.
- Use filtered water if you can. Hard water will shorten the life of any paper-based wick; these are no exception.
- Be aware of your furnace settings. When I ran the heat higher than 72°F, the humidifier worked harder, dried the wick faster between cycles, and lifespan shortened by a few days.

Durability and lifespan

Air Filter Factory recommends replacing about every 45 days, which aligned with my results in a typical winter environment. Some weeks I got closer to five or six weeks; in very hard water areas, you might see less. The aluminum reinforcement paid off late in the cycle: where many wicks begin to sag or cave in as minerals stiffen the paper, these held their geometry, which maintains even airflow across the media.

I didn’t see paper delamination or the aluminum layer peeling. The media darkened uniformly and stiffened over time, as expected. This isn’t a washable or reusable design; attempts to rinse out minerals usually collapse the structure and harm performance. Swap it and move on.

Noise, airflow, and side effects

The filter itself doesn’t change fan noise on a healthy machine. As the media clogs with minerals, airflow drops and the fan pitch can get sharper, which is your cue that performance is down. I didn’t notice any paper dust or particulate shedding into the reservoir or into the room. The reservoir stayed cleaner than with cheaper wicks I’ve tried, likely because the media is more tightly formed and reinforced.

Compatibility and sizing confidence

The safest approach is to match by part number: 14911, 32-14911, or ES12 on your model tag, typically found on the bottom or side of the unit. The 5 x 10 x 13-inch dimensions are accurate, but the form factor matters more than raw size because these sit in a shaped cradle. If you’ve got an older Kenmore console, there’s a good chance this is the right style—but verify.

Value and running costs

Buying these in a four-pack makes sense. Evaporative humidifiers have real ongoing costs, and it’s easy to run out mid-season. A four-pack gets you through most winters without a scramble. You can find cheaper generic wicks, but I’ve consistently traded low prices for short life or poor wicking. These sit at a fair middle ground: not bargain-bin, not premium-priced either, and the reinforcement layer is a real, tangible benefit over flimsy paper-only filters.

Consider the hidden economics:
- Filtered water extends life, effectively lowering your cost per week.
- Flipping after every tank keeps the media open longer.
- Pushing the furnace hot and the humidifier hard will chew through any wick faster.

Who it’s for

• Owners of older Kenmore/Sears evaporative humidifiers that take the 14911/32-14911/ES12 style.
• Users who prefer predictable, steady performance and are willing to stick to a simple maintenance routine.
• Anyone frustrated by collapsing or misshapen wicks and wants something that keeps its structure late into the cycle.

Who might look elsewhere:
- If your humidifier requires a perfectly curved, highly flexible pleat, the reinforced layer’s stiffness may require extra care during install.
- If you’re in extremely hard water and can’t use filtered water, expect shorter cycles and plan on more frequent changes, regardless of brand.

Practical care tips

• Pre-wet on first use to jump-start wicking.
• Flip the filter orientation after each tank refill.
• Keep the reservoir clean; scale at the base will feed right back into the media.
• Replace on performance cues—slower humidity recovery, harsher fan tone, and visibly crusted media—rather than color alone.

The bottom line

These Air Filter Factory wick filters are a solid, thoughtfully built replacement for the 14911/32-14911/ES12 format. The paper-pulp media wicks reliably, and the aluminum reinforcement meaningfully improves shape retention and late-cycle performance. Installation takes a touch more care in curved cradles due to the added stiffness, but once seated, the fit is secure and consistent. With reasonable maintenance—flipping after refills and using filtered water—I averaged about 45 days per filter with steady humidity output and minimal fuss.

Recommendation: I recommend these wick filters. They strike a good balance of performance, durability, and value, especially in a four-pack that carries you through the season. The reinforcement layer sets them apart from flimsy generics, and while installation in curved housings may require a gentle hand, the day-to-day reliability and predictable lifespan make them a dependable choice for keeping older Kenmore-style humidifiers doing what they do best.