Filter Confusion????????

[pes2u]

Please help me understand the many filters on the market. I am sure that each has a function but primarily I need it to do the basic job and do it well. So what is going on with the pleated air filters, allery reduction filters, ultra allery reduction and the 3mth filtrete kind? Will they allow my system to perform better, save me money of somekind, or should I just use the regular fiberglass filters which are cheaper but I would go to something more expensive if it has proven to help the system perform more efficiently.

[Jay11J]

Type of filters.

Washable- Don't bother with these.. After time, they plug up even tho you wash them.

EAC (electronic air cleaner)- They are good, but you need to clean them every 3-4 weeks! Lot of people don't have time to wash these...

Media- Best filter you can go for.. They cost money up front to get in installed.. Most of the are switching to this from EAC. In the long run, these filter are cheaper and easier to take care off.. They only need to be replaced once a year or 6 months depending on the home.

1" filters.....

Fiberglass. they are CHEAP.. You get what you pay for.. They catch around 8% of the dust, rest gets onto your blower, A/C coil, duct work, and back into the house. You can buy a spray to help them. but to me personaly it not worth it.

Pleated.

The standard ones or dust control do work well to help keep your system clean and your home.. some dust still by pass, but not as bad as the fiberglass ones. They catch about 20% of the dust.

The Plus or Allergy reduction are about 80%

The Ultra (thin paper like) filter are about 90%.

Even tho the filters says "Last up to 90 days" it don't mean ignore it for 90 days.. Check it every 30 days.. Once these load up, they cut back on your air flow. They get dirty faster than the fiberglass!

[Ed Imeduc]

Look at the filter at the store Go for a MERV 5 pleated. Also look there they should have a spray coat,filter coat of some kind. This you take and spray light on the intake side of the filter. Helps to stop dirt and other "things"

Like said forget all the rest. Now we say change the filter every 30 to 90 days. But you are there look at it now and then and see how its doing. Keep a clean filter in there cost a lot less then to have a hvac tech come out and clean the ac coil in the unit. also will give you a cleaner home.

ED ;)