This is a common question that we get from time to time and the truth of the matter is yes. A pleated filter can strain a system and potentially cause damage but more often then not the person in charge of maintaining the system is at fault because filters changes are not as frequent as they should be. Since pleated filters are doing a much better job at cleaning your indoor air compared to a basic fiberglass filter they can become more restricted thus restricting the airflow and putting too much strain on your system. All of the pleated filters we carry have been tested by the manufacturer's to be compatible with most systems, so remember the main thing is changing those filters...when you don't change them your more at risk.