Have you changed...

Guard Dad

Guard Dad

Administrator
Staff member
...your furnace filter lately?

If not, please do.

A dirty filter restricts air flow in your furnace which not only hurts efficiency, it raises the temperature of the heat exchangers which shortens their life. It can actually make your furnace run so hot it will burn out the safety limit controls.

In heat pumps, dirty filters also hurt efficiency and they make the pressures run high which can shorten compressor life.

Those $15-$20 Filtrete filters? Save your money, they restrict air flow and can actually damage your equipment. The low-cost pleats are my pick; they filter well with minimal loss in air flow. At the least, use the spun fiberglass filters. They don't help your air quality a lot, but they help keep the equipment and ducts clean.

This public service announcement was brought to you by Guard Dad. :neenerbutt
 
I just bought the thick ones for our two units. I guess I should take them back, right? They are supposed to last a year where the others last 3 months. Haven't put them in yet. If I get the thin ones, is it better to get the higher numbered particle filter? Is that also a deterrent? My furnace is made for the thick ones, but I trust your judgment. More money over the long haul but if it protects equipment better, then I'm all for it.
 
If you mean the 4 - 5 inch thick ones, they are great. It's when they try and make a super filter in 1" of thickness that it creates a problem. You just don't have the surface area on a 1" filter to pull that off without restricting airflow.
 
GD, do you have any brands/models you suggest? I've been using the $8 Filtrete pleated version.

I'm still getting used to the HVAC system at our new home. Two big intakes, one on each side of the house. I have to change out the filters once a month - they get stuffed with crud so fast!!! :eek: The entire unit sits right outside the house, there is nothing in the crawl space but duct work.
 
MacDaddy said:
GD, do you have any brands/models you suggest? I've been using the $8 Filtrete pleated version.

I'm still getting used to the HVAC system at our new home. Two big intakes, one on each side of the house. I have to change out the filters once a month - they get stuffed with crud so fast!!! :eek: The entire unit sits right outside the house, there is nothing in the crawl space but duct work.
Click to expand...

The Filtrete brand itself is not bad, it's those super fine filters they sell that re the problem. You just don't have sufficient surface area in a one inch filter to use such fine media without restricting air flow.

As long as you stay with the more basic filters instead of the ones with high "MERV" ratings, you should be OK.
 
Hey, that's some great advice. One of those little things I always wonder about and never know the answer to. Now I do. You are a wonderful man, I don't care what anybody says. :D
 
I have the 4" block filters that the hvac installer recommended years ago for our units. Sometimes the 1" thick ones aren't rigid enough around the edges to support the air flow. That makes me feel better knowing I spend $27 a piece for these things. They are supposed to last a year so I come out cheaper buying them (if they work all year long).

GD--If you have the filters to buy, I'll surely buy them from you. I think you do commercial more if not exclusively but would you be willing to get me a price on a unit for our basement? I have all the duct work completed along with the lines for the A/C (heat pump?) outside. All that is needed are the units inside and out (along with installation of course)

We have about 2100 sf in the basement if you need it for pricing a unit.
 
Blazing Saddles said:
I have the 4" block filters that the hvac installer recommended years ago for our units. Sometimes the 1" thick ones aren't rigid enough around the edges to support the air flow. That makes me feel better knowing I spend $27 a piece for these things. They are supposed to last a year so I come out cheaper buying them (if they work all year long).

GD--If you have the filters to buy, I'll surely buy them from you. I think you do commercial more if not exclusively but would you be willing to get me a price on a unit for our basement? I have all the duct work completed along with the lines for the A/C (heat pump?) outside. All that is needed are the units inside and out (along with installation of course)

We have about 2100 sf in the basement if you need it for pricing a unit.
Click to expand...

Yes, and yes. We need to talk.
 
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