Advice on furnace filter

[Visser]

My furnace has reusable filters that I clean and reinstall at proper intervals. I've always wondered if the disposable filters offer any advantages, or actually filter more. I realize that the reusable filters that I clean and reinstall are suppossed to be better for that reason alone. Nevertheless, I've still always wondered if todays fabric filters prevent more particles from getting through.

Any thoughts or advice??

Visser

[Jay11J]

Sounds like you got the electrostic filters. (metal frame with fiber in between the screen/mesh)

These filters are worst thing to have over time.. These filter fiber get build up with dirt over time, and the air flow is cut down.. I tried these out for a short time, and did wash them every month... Hold the filter to a light or sun light.. You'll see "dark" spots.. That is where dirt is embeded intoo the fiber.

When you cut down on air flow, the heating system over heats, and shortens the life of the heat exchanger. or a/c coil may freeze up on you.

Just get a good basic 1" pleted filter and stay on top of it every month.. Even tho the package may say "Last up to 90 days", it don't mean ignor it for 90 days..

If you got room in your return drop, I would upgrade to a 4" media filter like April Air, Air Bear or Honeywell Media filters.

The 4" media last up to a year or 6 months.

[Ed Imeduc]

Any filters thatyou can wash out and clean . For get them not worth D**. Dont thing about a electric one they are just more trouble. Lots of good filters out there from 1" on up to 4" they all work good. For now just try like a MERV 5 pleated filter. if you want there also are filter coats that you can spray light on the intake side of the filter when you put it in. It also helps the filter. The cost of new filter's will pay you back when you dont have to have the AC coil clean so often. New filter every 30 to 90 days


ED ;)

[Visser]

Thanks, gents, I appreciate the advice.

Ed I was thinking the same way. In just looking at the washable filter, I cant see how it could filter as well as the pleated ones.

Thanks again!

Visser

[Visser]

Does anyone recommend a good filter that works to prevent allergens? My family has some allergy troubles and I know there are filters that are suppossed to be good for preventing a good deal of allergens form getting through. Anyone know if they really are any better than the "ordinary" pleated, disposable filters?

Visser

[Jay11J]

There is the 3M filters that are in a red package.. They work well. I've used them in the past with my allergy..

I've had new furnace put in, and had a media filter system installed.. Media filter are going to be better for the system, and cheaper in the long run.. Media filters only needs to be changed otu once or twice a year.

[noroomsforme]

I worked at a building where we had 200 apartments they had the washable kinda the evaporator coil got dirty often and had to be cleaned. I'm not much for working my butt off so I rather work smart so we did a trial test using several types of filters to check performance. Found the 50cent blue filters were no better. The pleated filters after 3 months the evaporator was still clean as a whisle and no complains about air or heating problems. You can get filters in any size you want just have to special order them is all. The cost of the filters ran us about $6 each but compared to the labor to clean evap coil it was cheaper. I highly recommend people buy quality air filters not the cheapo ones the extra cost will save you from dusting as much. The air is cleaner for breathing and will add years of life to your system. I also recommend return grill filters don't let the filth get into your duct system and you won't have to pay to have it cleaned out. Duct cleaning is $150 plus here that money is better used to buy return air filter grills and better quality air filters and install a humidified if needed.