Missing Air Filter

[Screen King]

Dear Folks;

The house I have moved into recently has a keep-rite high efficiency gas forced air furnace which has an electronic air cleaner but no regular air filter.

The furnace was replaced by the previous owner 5 years ago and works fine but it is clear that no air filter was ever installed with this replacement.

Is this normal with modern furnaces ?, Is the electronic air cleaner alone sufficient ?, or should I be looking for an HVAC contractor to install some small ductwork to accomodate a regular air filter ?

Best Regards

Adrian D.

[Ed Imeduc]

I find that we take out more EAC filters than we put in. They work at first but people will not take care of them and it just lets the dirt get in the home. Its like you have to take thim out every 2 weeks and wash them. Id get some one to look at it and see if they cant work in like a 4" Air Bear filter in the same part of the duct. 5 years old for sure have them check the AC coil there and clean it.

ED ;)

[Jay11J]

I am with Ed about staying on top of these EAC.. EAC is your "filter" and the cells needs to be washed often for it to do it's job.

You can replace the cells with the 4" media filters... Take out the large cells and lay them down.. Messure the w by h. Most will be 20 by 25" These media filters can be found at Home Centers like Home Depot. When you do use the media filter, make sure you REMOVE the power going to the EAC unit.

The media filters only needs to be changed otu once or twice a year.

[noroomsforme]

The electronic filters work great but have a small flaw they don't work well if people don't clean them ever. In addition you should have air return grill filters so the filth doesn't get into your duct work. Given the choice I prefer the 4 inch thick media filters low tech and they do work I think even better from experience.

[mattison]

In addition you should have air return grill filters so the filth doesn't get into your duct work.

These only add more restriction to the system cutting down on airflow. A good 4" media filter at the furnace is all you need or if you only have 1" get the $5 dollar pleated and change it every 30-90 days depending on how dirty it gets

[Jay11J]

I am with Matt, If you already have a filter at the furnace, don't add another at the return gill.

Noroomforme, Not sure where you are from. I know it's pretty common for a single large return w/ filter in the hall way down south. Here in the northern states, they tie all returns in all the room to the duct work.. It's not needed and not eye pleaseing to have a large return grill in the wall to hold a filter in every room. So that's why the filter at the furnace itself.