Filters for central heat/air systems.

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

During the course of my life I've tried cheap fiberglass, reusable, thick, allergen screening and all sorts of filters. Each has their plusses and minuses.

I currently only have central heat (and room A/Cs) so only change filters during the cold months. I'm using the inexpensive wavy gray looking ones and just change them frequently. (I also wash the filters on my room A/Cs frequents and that makes a huge difference in their cooling performance.)

What do you use?

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Comments (5)

grainlady_ks
10 years ago
We were told by the technician not to use the "best" filters because they don't allow as much air through the unit and make it work harder, but don't use the least expensive, either.

He also mentioned, if you deal with a number of pets and lots of pet hair in your home, you may need something specific to handle that, and change it at least once a month.

At one point during allergy season, we left our unit fan on constant to keep the allergens filtering through the filter and made sure we changed it at least once a month due to the additional use.

It's not a one size-fits-all thing.
morz8 - Washington Coast
10 years ago
The system with the air cleaner in my former home was electronic and I could run the panel through the dishwasher, no replacing.

I only wish I had a filter in this house ;) The heat is radiant in the ceilings and cozy, cost effective (natural gas). I have dust for the first time in years, no filtering air cleaner to remove it before settling onto my furniture and floors.
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chisue
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We have two furnaces, each with an Aprilaire filter and a flow-through humidifier. I buy furnace filters and humidifier plates from Best Air, usually ten of each at a time. The humidifier plates don't always need replacing, and the furnace filters get replaced once or twice a year. (Hardwood floors + a powerful central vacuum.) All of these are cheaper in volume and direct from the manufacturer (Hampshire, Illinois).

We often run the furnace fans constantly to keep the house comfortable when we aren't using the A/C.
rob333 (zone 7b)
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I have to rebuild the opening in mine. I know, I know. I just moved in and already I am repairing? Well, if they'd built it a bit differently, maybe I'd leave it alone. As it stands, the opening is 36 inches by 24 inches. Takes three filters each month. Gets expensive. I like the rinsable filters because of the cats. I can clean it as often as I want. As is stands, nothing fits there. So I'll get it down to a reasonable size and buy a reusable filter that I can rinse off fairly often (two cats).

ETA: nevermind! I finally found one that will fit; it's only $50. Yay!
User
10 years ago
I have the kind you wash once a month, I've been using it for 9 yrs now no problems. They are about $25-30.

Filters for central heat/air systems.

Comments (5)

grainlady_ks

morz8 - Washington Coast

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chisue

rob333 (zone 7b)

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