Furnace Filter - How to Change it the Right Way & SAVE Money
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- STOP wasting money & learn how to change a furnace filter the right way & why. I take your through how to find your filter, which filters to use & how long they really last. Easy tips that can make this job simple.
Furnace filters I use: amzn.to/3ZJ4Uof
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.
Thanks for watching please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE - Filters I use: amzn.to/3ZJ4Uof
It seems like several recent videos could have been left a second or two longer at the end to avoid such an abrupt cutoff.
I subbed, great content
Wow! Most people posting comments still believe it's best to use merv 11 filters or higher for their furnace.
The furnace is designed to MOVE HOT AIR. Not purify the air.
I have an AAP electrostatic washable filter, rated at merv 4. That's perfect to keep hot air circulating throughout the house. For the allergens and microparticles, I have dedicated hepa air purifiers for localized use, where needed.
I've asked every HVAC guy that comes to my house what filter I should use and they all give me the same advice as you. But, obviously, you did a MUCH BETTER job of explaining why. Thanks for the great content!
This is exactly why I’m a fan of yours. You touch on everything and anything. Just purchased my first house and was wondering why my furnitures were constantly dusty regardless of all the cleaning I’ve been doing. Sounds silly but I didn’t even know furnaces required a filter. Needless to say when I went down to the basement to checkout it out,all the dust finally made sense. I don’t think the filter ever been replaced. It was so old that it was falling apart as I tried to take it out. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Write on the filter the date you changed it with a Sharpie. Or put a stickie note on the outside of the furnace with the date. Always helpful to maintaining a schedule.
I make a note on my kitchen wall calendar when I should be changing my filter. I don’t look at my furnace that often for a note on it to be useful. 😊
Our wifi enabled Ecobee thermostat sends us a note on when to change. Handy “reminders” for PM/CM.
I keep a magnetic white board w/pen right on the furnace. I strike out the last date and add the new date when changing the filter and it gives you the history of when you changed the filters. Mine is now years old and I see exactly when I changed every filter or made changes, etc. etc.
Best system I've ever used.
@@sleepinglioness5754 for another high speed tip, ALWAYS keep a spare ignitor and flame sensing rod next to the furnace. Guarente'd wear item (that you can clean a few times before replacing) but will save you a $500 service call in the middle of the night on the coldest day of the year, when it will fail.
I write the date I put in the new filter on a piece of painters tape which I stick to the furnace. If it’s been cold and the furnace has been on a lot I change it at 2 month# max. If it hasn’t been on very much I may stretch that to 2 1/2 to 3 months. Some 3 M filters have a link to an online tool that will remind you when to change filters.
My uncle owned an HVAC company for 20 years. When they installed my new furnace and AC I was told to run the cheap filters due to air restriction and that furnaces are made for those filters, not the expensive ones.
Was also stated that replacing every month is recommended and if running the expensive filters to change twice a month due to them being so restrictive on air flow. Just my 2 cents.
I think you make more sense than the guy posting the video
That's simply wrong. Modern efficient furnace filters are not restrictive unless allowed to get too dirty.
It cost me a $120 service call for the tech to tell me that the reason the furnace was not working was because the mid-range pleated filter was plugged after only one month. Middle of winter, windows closed, no pets or kids, no sawdust or other dust creating activities. Recommended that I go to the basic fiberglass filter which I still continue to replace regularly. No problems since then.
Also beware of the Furnace Duct Cleaning companies. They use low paid inexperienced workers who should not be around modern furnaces with expensive electronics. The guy removed the electronic board and simply tossed it onto the concrete floor, damaging it.
@@christopherhaak9824 , you are wrong. Too many people claim the filters clog even before recommended time of changing, even under close to ideal situations. They are made just too close to being “restrictive” when brand-new…even before they trap any debris. We don’t live in surgical wards.
I love changing the air filter, it's the simplest home maintenance project and makes me think I have actually accomplished something. I'm in Texas, so the air-conditioning runs far more than the heat, and I'm always surprised how much it catches in just two or three months.
I used to use a MERV 11 until I realized it restricted the air flow, as you say, and sent for a MERV 8. It's great. Now I've switched to a reusable filter that I vacuum once a month and wash in the clothes washer once every 3 months or so. I love making less garbage!
I love how organized and insulated your basement.
I've always told my kids to replace their furnace filter three times a heating season. Recently my son called me and said his house was not heating up. I asked him if he replaced his air filter. He answered no. Turns out his filter was dirty, really dirty. He replaced the filter and his house was able to heat up. Sometimes Dad knows what he is talking about.🤣🤣
Dad power 100%!
More than sometimes
Kids! 😒
three times per season? huge waste of money lol
@@busterscrugs when you have dogs and cats it's well worth the money. It's like changing the oil on your car.
Great advice. My HVAC installer also said the same thing. This filter is just to protect the heat exchanger and coils. Too restrictive of a filter will burn up the motor or damage the furnace heat exchanger or electrical coils as they expecting a minimum airflow to keep them from overheating.
If you read the installers manual for a furnace or air handler it will tell you the minimum airflow you need. Restrictive air filters mess that up
这是个很重要的问题，过滤网只是为了保护电器而设置的，高密度滤网并不能为你提供更高质量的空气！密度过高会损坏你的电器。MERV6-8最好！
I live in the gorgeous deserts of the American Southwest (Las Vegas, NV) and we change our filters every three months without fail. We used pleated Filtrete filters, but we invested in electronic filters from our residential HVAC company. Costs way more, but it also filters out more dirt, dust, pollen, and finer particles than standard filters. Our health is much better since using them.
Hopefully you also have DC furance fan motor too. Those you can leave running on low setting 24/7 because they use way less electricity than the typical AC fan motors. I would consider that combo a must for the best air cleaning results.
Thank you so much for your help. Your insight and concise instructions are invaluable to single and widowed folks...
Glad it was helpful! Thank you
@@SilverCymbal You are welcome!
Thanks!
Goodness, my old filters were TOO restrictive for my system! During the summer, my AC would run forever before satisfying the thermostat. Once I changed to a different level of filters, it was like night and day. Very happy I changed to the mid grade filters.
Thanks for sharing - This is happening to a lot of people now
... thorough, concise, and easy to understand. Thank you for sharing. It was very helpful to me!
Gracias señor Silver Cymbal!!!! That’s a job for the man of the house 😊
Helpful info! One can use a fine cut file, 1000-2000 grit sandpaper or foam sanding blocks to sand the nasty sharp edges off of sheet metal, if needed.
It’s 2023.... and this video was right on time. Thanks
Now its 2025. Just sayin.
Good call bud! I've been doing this for a decade. I buy $7.00 pleated filters and go through 3 a winter. Always clean . Nice!
3 a winter, wtf do you ever vacuum in the house or do you have 4 sheep herding dogs shedding in there? Thats not normal, lol.
@@srobeck77 Our winters/furnace needs are about 6 months. We get plenty of dust in fall and spring. We have no critters and a very clean house. I just don't like a filthy filter and don't put a heavy load on the furnace motor. But yeah it's not uncommon to go through three a year.
The 3M 1900 is the go-to filter for me. Project Farm found it has comparatively very low static pressure while still filtering significantly more. They have triple the number of pleats compared to the basic filters which also helps airflow.
Yes I agree the 3M 1900 is good and even think that you can go higher if you want. You bring up a good point of the part that actually matters is the static pressure. 3M does a good job at adding more filter material on their higher end filters to not cause the issues of it being too restrictive as mentioned in this video. They even rate their filter pressure drop at many flow rates, and it often can even be lower than the basic home depot filter shown in the video. This means the ultra high end 3M filter will be less restrictive than the middle of the road home depot filter.
For every increase in filter mesh, there is a commensurate amount of additional pleats. This keeps the filter looking the same across all mesh levels to the blower.
@@ErikMeike 1900 is wayyyy to restrictive. Thats causing your fan to use way more electricity, run hotter, have less airflow and it will wear out much faster. You just want a standard pleated not a hyper dense filter for those reasons.
I suppose every furnace is subjective to what it can handle for filtration. My thoughts on it are during winter you don't need to filter out pollon and some of the other things so a 1000-1300 should be fine during your heating season. Spring and summer if your running the air circulation I would go 1600 or above to give you that added benefit.
@@srobeck77 3M filtrete 1900 - merv 13, but also twice the media as most merv 8's on the market (1,560 sq. in) so they do not clog up fast, or create static pressure build up any faster then the typical merv 8. Oh, but they do collect smaller particulate matter MUCH better than any merv 8 on the market (including particulates from wildfire smoke) - which equates to cleaner coils, less work for your motor etc, and FAR better overall air quality in your home. It's a no brainer. My residential HVAC heating/cooling system (Maytag) is close to 20 yrs old. Other than changing out a pressure switch yrs ago, not a single issue.
I change the 3M 1900 every 4-6 weeks in summer, 8 weeks when snow is on the ground.
Agree with everything you pointed out...good idea to purchase your filters in bulk, online, much cheaper and less likely to forget to buy one when it's needed...I but a dozen at a time for approx.$60...also, free delivery!
Thank you for showing us how to do it properly, simply explaining how it works, and why even people with allergies should buy the mid-range filter and invest in a room air purifier. 🙂
We lost our Lab/Border collie in September and I replaced my filter on my regular schedule in October. Last week I changed my filter and it was the cleanest filter since we moved into this house. If you are a pet owner regular filter changes is a must. I do every 90 days with middle of the road filters.
As wife and I got older, we lose more hair than the animals!
I always spend time trying to decide which rated filter to get. No more. Thanks for this information.
Great video- Perfect. Clear, concise. Every sentence is compact with valuable info and no filler. Thank you from the ADHD community. I wish you taught math!
I can't find my filter or where it goes. Been searching for 3 months.
Just got a new furnace a few years ago and the installer said no matter what the filter says you should replace your air filter monthly and I agree. Don’t buy the most expensive filters and replace them monthly
I moved into a new construction house last year. The filter is 5 inches thick and the replacement recommendation is every 6 months. Need to order them online because no Home Depot, Lowe's or any other hardware store near me carries them
I was taught to base filter change on the amount of light that passes thru it. Check regularly but only change as needed.
Great job. I think you hit all the important points. I was surprised to note that my filter replacement plan is exactly like yours.
I have a boiler and I don’t even need a filter but I still watched your video just cause I love your videos… 😂
you just have to be concerned with the water quality inside the pipes. Tap water will eventually turn into black moldy sludge on the inside unless you chemically treat the water inside boilers
One thing I learned from watching HVAC technicians is don't get the most restrictive filters because they will cause premature wear on the blower motor. Likewise don't get the cheapest ones because they allow dust to accumulate on the evap coils.
I totally agree with them, my old house had one and I couldn't figure out why AC was so poor. swapped it to a mid grade, it was night and day
That's simply false with modern ECM squirrel cage blowers. There is no additional wear on these blowers as they spool up and down to deliver the necessary air flow rate.
@@christopherhaak9824 ECM motors still have to unnecessarily spin faster to make up for the restriction in the filter. And fan motors in furnaces have been squirrel cage types for over 4 or 5 decades now, so thats not really a benefit, its just the standard.
Our Heating/Cooling Unit has a access vent door on the ceiling in our living room..Size #18×30×1
Hopefully the filter is just before the components inside the unit and not downstream from it. Thats the main purpose of them to protect the unit from dust build up.
Awesome period of instruction and SOP! You sir are a rockstar !
As was said here there has to be a balance but for me I take a slightly different approach. I use the cheaper filters (maybe not the cheapest thing out there) but I change them more often. We also have several stand alone air filters one on each level of our house. The reason for this is that in the mid Atlantic we have three season with a pleasant fall and spring where our HVAC systems do not run that much. With that in mind and having pets I want full time air filtration which is why we use the stand alone air filters. Having been a home inspector at one time I do recommend staying away from the ultra restrictive filters because some can cut the airflow as much as 30% when they are new and much more when a bit dirty. As the video said a middle of the road filter is a good choice for most home owners.
I use permanent MERV 8 electrostaic filters. One time purchase. Clean every couple of months. Good to go.
we do ours every month because we have 2 ceiling intakes. 1 is in the kitchen, and 1 is in the living room. so between the grease from the kitchen and the pet hair from 3 animals, you can really start to hear it sucking harder towards the end of the month! i just write "filter" on the calendar every month and my husband checks it off once he's done it.
This has been a constant battle over the last 10 years in this house. It's come to replacement every 5 to 6 weeks. I've been using those Purple 3m, which run about 15.00 each.
Thanks for reminding me!
My filter is about 6 months past due 😂
I buy low-cost pleated and run fan 24/7. Change out every 6 weeks. Just replaced my 25 year old Trane. Great unit. Running fan all the time filtrates better and keeps house temp more uniform between my 3 levels. Added cost of electricity running fan full is minimal.
I do the same thing. Hopefully you told the new contractor that was your intention, so that he sold you a unit with an ECM (DC) fan motor which is far cheaper to run than the typical AC fan motor. Also, Id highly recommended adding on a UV light to the furance. Very easy to do yourself after watching a youtube video on it.
Never knew … will look into it. Thanks
I started watching your videos when I was searching for how to make my lawn look better and I'm glad I did. Thank you!
After over 20 years of experience in the hvac industry I don't think I could have explained filters any simpler than you did in this video.
If you'd ever like to dive deeper into the subject I'd be happy to help out
Thank you for these high quality videos sir, please keep them coming.
My HVAC system uses a 20"x26"x5" air filter which is expensive at $50+ if they are even in stock.
I installed a vacuum pressure sensor downstream of the filter to measure the pressure drop and determine when to replace the filter.
The 5" ones last much longer because they have more filter material. They won't clog up as fast.
@@SalvadorSTMZ I get about 18 months out of one filter. When I bought the house the filter in there was 5 years old, but very dirty and restricting flow.
Use your eyeballs and its just as effective. Typically a 4-5" filter can go about a 1 year but mileage varies with pets or if you have wood floors that you mop weekly, etc.
Based on my own experience, I change my filters twice a year. I have two separate heat pumps / blower systems. One for upstairs and one for downstairs. I track how many hours the system is running, not some some arbitrary number of months on a calendar. If the system is not running, the filter is not getting dirty. My heat pumps only run when heating or cooling is called for. Here in SoCal, there are two distinct seasons - summer and winter. For a month or two between the cooling and heating seasons, the weather is very mild and the systems are essentially not used. That's when I put new filters in the air handlers - between seasons. So each heating or cooling season starts with a new clean filter. I use MERV 8 filters which do a good job without choking the system.
My air return/filter is in the hall of our home. I noticed lint along the edges and corners of the return, so I now place the blue painter’s tape around my filter, sealing off any gaps between the filter and frame, forcing all the return air to go through the filter and not sneak through the sides. It actually cuts down how often I need to dust the furniture.
When we had new heat pumps installed, the installer said to use the cheapest filters and replace them more often. He said the units will last longer because (like you said) the more expensive kinds strain the system.
If by "cheapest" he means fiberglass, than thats completely wrong. If by "cheapest" pleated filter, than that would correct.
Mine has a return register that's luckily the same size as the filter, so I replaced the plain vent with one that accepts a filter. I put the cheapest filter in that and a really good one in the unit. I replace the cheap one every month and the good one now lasts about a year, though I still change it about every six months.
I'd put a good one at the return inlet so you don't have dust and whatnot collecting in the ductwork.
@@tihspidtherekciltilc5469 There is no ductwork, it's at the floor immediately under the furnace intake where the main filter lies. My reason is to make those $30 filters last by trapping the bulk of dust with a $2 filter.
As long as you arent using a fiberglass filter, then yup get the cheapest pleated filter.
Based on all of my extensive research, the average home should use a Merv 8 -12 filter. I replace every 33 days with a reminder on my phone.
30 days is just a reference. Your eyeballs are the best judge of when it needs to be changed. In the spring and fall, your furnace is barely running and its more like every 2-3 months for a filter.
@@srobeck77 My heat pump runs often, I also have my fan set to circulate air at times even with no heat or Ac on. I have allergies and this is what works good for me but not ideal for all cases.
i run my fan 24/7, but i dont feel like the airfilter does much for pollen. Youd need to have an electrostatic filter installed with the fans running 24/7 to really make a difference. I got an upgraded DC fan motor so iys uses about a quarter of the electricity that a typical AC fan motor uses.
MERV 10 + daily dusting + robo vacuuming + kids + pets + summer = 3-4 months. Invest in expensive filters and never compromise on wellbeing.
I wish the 2 inch filters were more common. They filter better and allow more airflow.
I totally agree with you, its crazy! Those things are really great
I have a 5" thick filter, which I haven't seen anywhere else. My heater is about 25 years old.
Previous places I have lived at had 1" filter and they are not the best. Have to trade off the pressure drop and MERV rating, and change them often.
Great video. Easy to understand! I appreciate your help!
I originally used the first example filters when I bought my home in 02, about a yr or two later I started using the 2nd one pictured. I usually replace my filer every 1 to 2 months depending on use.
I live in a bungalow, built in 1953. How often should I change the filter?
When my system was installed, it used a 5-in thick filter. That thing lasted forever and was still clean when I replaced it. I find the 1 inch ones with less filtering area, didn't last nearly as long.
I’m glad I didn’t skip this video, I think mine is installed backwards…lol
Draw an arrow with black marker on the ductwork. It should always point toward the furance. The second pro tip, write the date on the new filter before you put it in.
A couple comments. I recommend turning off your furnace and vacuuming it inside. I was surprised at the dirt accumulation and some of the construction materials found (old wood and nails). We have an older house. Our furnace technician recommended using only cheap filters which we change monthly due to family allergies. (The prior owner had 3 cats!) This plus professional vent vacuuming does make a difference. I did cover bare concrete walls with fibreglass and foil because concrete sucks away heat in our Canadian winters. The intent was to push additional heat into the house and it worked. I note that some around here even enclose their hot water tanks with foil to reduce hot water tank bills. Hopes this helps someone.
Imagine how dirty mine were after 89 years. I cleaned mine out for the last time then I moved the filter to the first floor and added a whole new return duct and a 2nd filter. All of the air that passes through both ducts now are clean. Read my post to see what else I did.^^
How are you guys dealing with heat and global warming? Do you still have gas and oil, etc? Cannot picture how heat pumps will work where you are as they are border line, even here in Virginia.
We use the fiberglass one and change it every 30 days.(marked on calendar). We have 3 medium dogs. Our furnace man said to use the fiberglass ones and change once a month so we do. He also said to never use the reusable ones.
Most repair/service techs are not fans of the high efficiency stuff. For a long time there was no medium sort of grade. I think the fiberglass filters do a great job and filters are really there to protect the motor and intake which fiberglass works well on
Fiberglass (aka leaf catchers) and the worse and cheapest ones you could ever dream up. I thought only slumlords ever used those in rental properties. Ya you wanna switch to a pleated filter asap, but not an expensive high density 3M scam version.
That leaf catcher filter your using, is dumping a ton of dust and dead human skin into your fan motor and coil inside the furance. And of course also, your breathing it in constantly too. Never, ever, use the a leaf catcher filter, they do almost nothing for dirt. Just look at the gaps in it, very obvious.....
Good advice. My pet peeve are return vents that are ceiling mounted. This requires breaking out a ladder to change filters. Fine if you are young and strong but what are people who are older or not able to haul out a ladder and climb it? Then people wonder why the filters are clogged. The system that you have is perfect as most anyone of any physical ability can change it. My other pet peeves are HVAC systems in the attic, especially gas fired HVAC systems that the homeowner simply can't monitor on a regular basis. Just some thoughts.
Thank you ❣️
Heat and AC guys in my area suggest the cheap ones because of the air flow restrictions of the other types.
Cheapest "pleated filter" not fiberglass. You gotta pay attention to the fine print, lol
Moved into a fairly new manufactured home, where the furnace is located in a closet-like area near the back of the house. The door where the furnace is located does NOT have a vent - it's just a solid door. If I leave the door slightly open, the air being sucked in will shut it. Should that door have a vent on it for better air flow?
Another tip: Write the date you installed the filter on the edge of the filter. Also, another good rule of thumb:
- During peak Winter / Summer months when Heater/AC is on almost 24/7 - change the filter every month
- During nominal temperature months, when the Heater/AC is hardly on - change filter roughly every 2.5 - 3 months
- As far as ratings go, Merv 8 is about max middle-of-the-road rating before air restriction issues can start being a problem
I do it when the weather changes, so 4 times a year roughly. I use the high flow during the summer and winter and medium filter during the spring and fall.
Lol never use the high density filters at any point, regardless of how you think your beating the system. Your just stressing out your fan motor every time it has to run.
Can you do a video on the K and N home hvac filters?
That’s what we use in our large house. Every 30-60 days I take them out and wash throughly. They collect lots of dirt and are Merv 11. We live in the desert, so we clean our filters often during the summer months. Paying $30 for a reusable saves $$ and the environment from lots of waste.
I use a MERV 14 filter which some may consider "restrictive", but the brand is known for good flow and not much pressure drop. No problems yet.
if you watch other hvac videos basically if you wanna filter better and last longer just upgrade to a thicker box, on 1 inch you are pretty limited on filter, do 4 or 5" then you can run 11 and 13, looks like your furnace has plenty of room you could splice in a 5" filter box and with merv 8 it would last you all year
Instead of teaching my 3 boys, I'm leaving them a playlist of your videos 😅.
When I had that type of filter I bought two washable filters. I would swap them out every month. I also left the fan on 24/7 for air circulation and filtering.
Cheap ones don't choke the furnace. My thermostat keeps track of furnace usage and I change based on that
Never use fiberglass filters. Always use pleated. Never use high density 3M scam pleated filters. That's what you all you need to know.
Thank you for mentioning that this filter isn't an air purification system - it's a simple filter to stop pet hair and dust bunnies from getting into your furnace and clogging stuff up. Not even close to enough of your home's air is running through this thing for it to really matter regarding picking up microscopic particles for overall air quality.
Xlnt video, what you advise is the same as what my hvac guy said...
Hey I have a question. So my filter track is bent. I am not sure how it happened or when as this happened before the house was mine. Is there a diy way to fix this? I have access to tools but I can't afford a repair man atm.
Hi- I want to thank you for ALL of your videos. You have class and intelligence which we appreciate. I do have a question- do you know or have any info on reusable filters? I would appreciate and value your input - thank you again
Great advice ! The filter market is a racket…
You could spray both sides of the filters . With PuraClean Filter Spray to attract and hold dirt .
We changed our filter every 3 months. Then we got a long haired cat and had to change to every 2 months till she died. We are back to 3. I put the date to change on the filter but also on my calendar on my phone. We use a merv 8’s. Hr is correct about the use of higher merv’s. Some furnaces don’t run well with higher merv filters.
Thoughts on reusable filters? One's that are washable etc. Wonder if one would end up saving some $$$ in the long run
I took out the re-usable filter because I didn't believe it could be 1) a quality filter and 2) truly be washed and not develop mold, mildew, odor, etc.
I just put in a new pleated filter last week. Out of curiosity I looked at it today and it's already started getting a grey colour. I'd consider our house to be pretty clean though. Not sure where it's coming from. Just been a week
If you burn wood or pellets than can be more in the air, and honestly dust from pets, etc adds up quick. Better in the filter than breathing.
@@SilverCymbal I guess 3 toddlers running around could be the cause. But other than that, no pets and no smoke. Thanks for your videos. Wish you a prosperous 2024 !
What is the material covering the ceiling of that room? Thank you.
I check the filter on my system every three or so months. When I replace one, I am out to the hardware store right away to always have one in reserve. Sometimes they are not readily available so that is why I shop for them right away. My system takes a 20X25X4 filter and I typically pay $35 for each one.
How often you change 4 inch filters?
I was told by an hvac tech that it's better to buy "cheaper" filters and replace often than to buy the most expensive.
I've always been told to change it once a month during the winter and twice a month during the summer of course I live in Florida where there's so much dust and pollen
Twice a month is way too much. Pull the filter out and hold up to a light. If you can still see alot of light, dont waste your money changing it out. Pollen is too small to get collected very well in a filter. Youd need an air ionizer or electronic air cleaner installed in your furance if you want to lesson that. (And wash your hair/pillows every few days). Filters do not address pollen.
Can you please do a more complicated filter change -one that rests inside the upper area on bottom white door and that you practically have to be on your back on the floor to get up in there?
You can upgrade the housing to use a 2” or even a 4” thick filter that filters Better and provides better airflow
My home is 98 years old and the upgraded 85%+ furnace's return duct was severely undersized when I bought my home. I added a separate duct and moved the now (two) in wall filters to grills in the center hall on the first floor and use washable filters. I also added a WiFi Filter Sensor from CleanAlert that tells me when to wash the filters based on the change in air pressure a dirty filter causes. My watch tells me when they are dirty. I also added a smart WiFi switch to turn off the furnace power now that I no longer need to go down in the basement to mess with filters. So now when I get the alert they are dirty, I tell Alexa to turn off furnace power, wash the filters, re-install the filters, reset the filter sensor on my app, then tell Alexa to turn the furnace back on. I did spend $200.00 for this convenience but this change will last over 10 years. My filters are 1" thick and the frame is just thicker than 1" & they made a bang sound when the air came on so I lined the plastic filter frames with magnetic tape so they stay in the seated position. Note: resetting the app sets the air pressure it takes to run when filters are clean and sends an alert when dirty filters decrease efficiency, so filters are not changed on a time table thus saving money. The filter scanner also compares return air temperature to supply temperature and will give you an indication of other issues such as inefficient A/C. Alerts are sent to my phone then I push the notification to my watch. I usually wash the filters when they get 60% clogged.
It has been 50 days since I washed my filters, I have 5 cats and 5 bedroom home and the filters are 51% clogged as of right now. The 80+ smart devices I have in my home make a 89 year old home seem brand new and I spend less time & energy doing simple things like turning on/off things.
Questions?>>>>
What do you have on your basement ceiling? It looks like insulation?
What about one of the washable filters, I think K&N makes them?
Check the furnace or air handling unit documentation. It should be specific about the recommended MERV rating for your system. Mine says MERV 13 so that's what I use.
Honestly thats too dense and you're running your fan motor alot harder than it needs to (more electricity) and getting very little in return. If you want improved filtration, you want to get an electronic air filter, are ionizer, and UV light (kills mold spores) installed instead. MERV 13 is just a gimmick if you ask any hvac tech.
Not just home owners, but also those who rent should know how to change the a/c and heater filters.
You’re a godsend. Thanks
A lot of people say you should still change your air filter even if you never run your HVAC system, because it maintains good air quality inside your home. How does it maintain good air quality if you never run the system?
unless that filter had a grid on both sides it looked like you put it in backwards compared to the one you removed. Just wondering?
I use the middle grade filters too, but we have our furnace fan run continuously to circulate the air and have to change the filter monthly.
You should be changing filters based on what your eyeballs tell you, not just a 30 number. I can guarantee in the spring and fall months, it isnt dirty enough enough to be changed monthly.
I would've liked for you to go into a bit of explanation of MERV & SEER ratings.
I use a SEER 11 as it seems to be a good balance of filtration and airflow.
I'm unable to find what my system recommends (no paperwork available and can't find specific info online).
That is one professional looking HVAC room
Went back to the old 'fuzzy' two dollar filters after pi$$ing away many $'s on 'the good ones' only to find (as mentioned here) they were too restrictive for proper operation of my furnace and cost me a couple hundred bucks to learn that lesson.
The only difference I make to the filter is a light spray of Pam or any other vegetable oil. Spray on the opposite side of the arrow (air entry side, away from the furnace) and like a lot of folks, leave a marker down by the furnace to date the installation. You will be surprised at what this little tweak picks up! You'll have to replace your filter almost every month because in short time you can't see through it at all.
It's been a year on my merv 11, 17.7 x 20 x 4.7 filter and it looks pretty clean. It's not white, it's a bit gray, not bad. Should I still replace it? They are PRICEY.
You say every couple months to replace the filter.. what if your furnace is off for 7-8 months a year? are you including the downtimes or just the times when the furnace is running?
You are correct, just for the time you are running it. They won't break down, unless they sat for years and years. I will often put a new one in right at the end of the season so I dont have to worry at the start of the next one.
Great info and tips....we have two furnaces and one is in the attic which is really hard to get to as I age but we have two dogs so I try and change the filters every few months. The air flow direction is always a question, not so easy to figure out the direction but the arrow should point toward the furnace is what I've learned.
I had hard to get to filter under house. Got too old to deal with it. It was a Space Guard and I hated it. Had to put it together to replace it and components would brake and have to be sh@t rigged. HVAC guy said, go back to simple in house as it will do fine. Still have large filtrate filter in attic but is easier than the SG to change. As pointed out the furnace is not an air cleaner like we wish. No matter what I use we get too much dust.
I use the cheap ones. Replace every 30 days during peak heating/cooling seasons
Use a Merv 7 or lower This will keep your furnace from going off on high limit. Going off on high unit too often can stress the heat exchanger causing it to burn out quicker You should change your filter every 3 months. The filter was designed to keep debris out of your furnace not to clean your air.
I buy the cheapest pleated filters and change them every 30 days in the winter time. And I get them 2 in longer where they hang out on each side and they are easier to pull out