The invention is directed to a direct replacement filter having a housing with an exposure slot with a filter media storage area having unexposed folded, pleated filter media stored therein, being unexposed pleated, folded, and stacked to be compactly held within storage area. An at least one motor is coupled to a power supply and in communication with a controller. An at least movement member is coupled to an at least one support member coupled to the media. A containment area also provided where the controller signals the motor engaging the movement member which is driven such that the movement member drives the at least one support member which engages the unexposed folded pleated filter material, moving the unexposed folded pleated filter media the storage area toward the containment area and moving an exposed portion of the filter media through the at least one exposure slot toward the containment area.