Home A/C filter question?

[175gr7.62]

What kind of filters do ya'll run in your system? When we built the house I was super **** and used the high dollar 3M filters. Last summer we had a line in the attic bust and when it was getting fixed the A/C guy told me the high dollar filters are a waste of money. I bought some cheap ( 4 for $5) "EZ Flow" filters last month.

I can see why they are easy flow cause you can see right through the things. Was so concerned that I doubled them. Went to change them and they look almost new. The high dollar filters I had been using would get so dirty that it would actually impede airflow if I skipped a month on the change.

Any HVAC guys out there, or anyone else for that matter, with an opinion on what I should be using?

[ecallarman]

anything pleated gets my vote!

[Tx.Fisher]

I'm not an HVAC guy, but several AC guys have told me to get the midrange filters and check them every month in the summer.

[gigem95]

Following.

[Wild Hare]

Home A/C filter question?

At the very least get pleated filters not fiberglass. The pleated are the filters with the wire backing. I wouldn't necessarily double up on filters as this can at times cause problems. Not all the time but some times. I'm guessing when you said high dollar filters you're talking about the five inch thick filters. These usually have merv ratings of 10-15. The higher the Merv rating the smaller the particulates it takes out of the air. So in short, yes the more expensive filters can be worth it. Especially for people that have more allergies....but, different strokes for different fokes.

[basschsr]

Use the pleated filters and depending on how dirty they are it is best to change every time you pay your electric bill. I can sometimes let mine go 2 months. The pleated filters tend to last a little longer than the cheaper filters. You don't necessarily have to buy the most expensive filters but if allergies are a problem in your home, they do help. I would never use those flimsy see through filters. You will pay for those later in the service call to clean your indoor coil.

[deer99hunter]

As an air conditioning contractor I LOVE PLEATED FILTERS !! They cause a lot of premature compressor failures due to the density and lack of being changed properly. Also, the filter grill in most homes is not sized for a high density/pleated filter.

They are a good product but most homeowners don't change them as often as they should.

[stuntriderant]

I use ez flow cheap blue. Allows lots of air flow into your return air and less static pressure. Fan doesn't have to work as hard saving some money on your electric bill.

[ecallarman]

i change my pleated filters every 4-6 weeks or sooner if I hear a change in the difference of air flow at the intake.

[Gummi Bear]

I prefer the pleated 3M filters.

I don't think of them as wasting money, $10-20 per month is hardly an expense to fuss over.

I run the red ones most of the year, and the purple ones when allergy season is at its peak.

The ez flo are junk. They don't filter anything, and your coils become the filter at that point (definitely not a good thing). Get a quote on what it costs to have a coil pulled and cleaned. It will only go south when it is crazy hot, so add a premium after hour charge to it as well, and deal with a hot, grumpy Mrs with no AC for a day or two while it is being done.

If you want a test:

Take a shaker of pepper with you to the store, and shake it on to several filters. Give em a wiggle while holding it flat, and see how much falls through. The pepper simulates particulate matter, and wiggling the filter simulates the effects of turbulence on it when the fan is blowing.

[texxfletch]

another vote for pleated filters......(@ 5 bucks a piece).just check them every month.If dirty chnge them out.
Don't let thm get so dirty that they "buckel up" because they just let the dirt flow by them on the sides.

If you use the cheap filters(@$1 a piece), then cleaning the evap coil is in your future.

Also, make sure your fan is not running when you change the air filter (whatever style you choose).,
If running and you mess with the filter , the dislodged dirt(stuff) will plaster onto/imbed your evap coil.

[Skyjunky]

My AC guy said the same thing. Buy the cheap ones and replace once a month. He said the pricey higher merv rated ones make the unit work harder.

[bowhntrmatt]

I wish I had videoed the testing I did with the national comfort institute.

We tested airflow and particulate-stopping ability of over a dozen filters, from the cheap fiberglass ones to the metal ones like you see in mobile homes, lots of pleats and the big 4-5 inch media filters, as well as some electonic ones.

What we found is that you pretty much get what you pay for.

Almost all pleated filters restrict airflow about the same, but the more expensive ones actually do filter better. We used a particulate counter made by IQ Air.
Interestingly enough, the cheap fiberglass ones are only marginally less restrictive than a pleated, but suck at filtration.
The best filters are those that use the thick media, like the Bryant perfect air purifier and the aprilaire series of filters. The absolute best was the IQ air perfect 16, which filtered perfectly and had no pressure drop across filter (merv 16). It is also crazy expensive and huge.

Unless you have one of these advanced filters installed, most homeowners are stuck with whatever fits in their 1" grill. I usually recommend any pleated filter. As stated in a different post, it is very common that filter grills are undersized. Ideally, you should have about 1 sq in of grill surface for every 2 cfm on a pleated filter, obviously in conjunction with adequate ducting to the unit.

[airehead]

In our house is 20X25x4 Honeywell media air cleaner it is should last 6 months I check every month they are fitted to the system they are in my humble opinion the best bang for the buck.
I have been an A/C contractor here since the Stone Age

Ron

[JayB]

I have a different take on a/c filters. First and most important, cardboard of any kind makes an poor filter. A pleated filter is surrounded by this useless material. I like/prefer, use a panel filter. The entire surface is a filter. Traps dirt well and can even stand up to a water leak. I sold these years ago so I don't have any leads on where you can buy, I believe these filter best. I change 2-3 months.