A few things to keep in mind: 1. The only way to see if a filter is causing too much airflow restriction is measuring your static pressure with manometer. 2. A new filter might not restrict too much airflow, but as they get clogged with particles, often the higher MERV rating ones can restrict flow more quickly. 3. The primary purpose of filters is to protect the equipment, but using a Fiberglass filter as recommended by some HVAC guys, can allow more dust to accumulate in your system. So it's a balance between too little filtration/high airflow and too much filtration/low airflow. 4. If you can, using a 2" or 4" filter of a given MERV rating, will provide more airflow than a 1" filter. This is difficult for those with 1" ceiling return filter setups. 5. I have gone with a MERV 5 to 8, until I can get my manometer in place and do some testing. Seems like a reasonable balance. 6. If you really want clean air for health reasons, consider a dedicated room air filter system (the Swiss make some very effective ones, but are expensive).
I have an old system with a fan dP of 0.2 in. wc. To get the recommended air flow of 350 to 400 scfm per ton of refrigeration, I use the filter with the least air resistance. The filter is used to protect the evaporator coil, not to keep your house dust free. I am only concerned with keeping out particles that will bridge the small openings of the evaporator coil. Particles the reach the coil are probably caught by the condensed water that runs down the coil. The entire air volume of a house passes through the coil every ten minutes during AC operation.
Very good & easy to understand the difference of ac filters. I plan to follow your thinking & use the 7/9 filters. I have been having immense trouble with dust EVERYWHERE in my house. It is about to run me out!! I've had HVAC companies come out to check my system. The first company said that the filter I was using was choking my system...too much resistance for air to flow thru. He recommended the cheap filter. He actually said, "You're going to change oit the filter every 30 days anyway, why spend more money than necessary. I was doing that until I had another co.pany out for a 2nd opinion. Then I was told my ac is not going to last that entire summer or the next one. He continued to say the heater is leaking oil & can catch fire. He changed a part on my ac that cost me $130 cause he discounted down (w/his bosses permission) from $350 & then talked to me about a $17k new HVACC but he could reduce it to $12k. I declined. He was shocked. Same company sold my gf a $17k system before they came to my house. Her house was built in the early 80s. They took the system out of her attic & put it in her garage & the duct looks like a huge elephant trunk. It is hideous!!! I digress...nack to me. I recently saw a video a HVACC guy did $ he showed that same part & it only cost ~$11 & anyone can change it out. I was livid. Then I followed up w/a company to clean $ sanitize the ducts for $100. WTF???!!! That lasted about 1 to 2 weeks. I'm still overrun by dust. I bought my house brand new in 2011 & this started 3 yrs ago. Never a problem before. I recently saw a video from a HVACC guy that talked about a filter in the central heater. I have NEVER heard of that before. I'm waiting for .y son to go into the attic to see if there is one in the heater & get a new one. I looked up these filters online & they say to change them every 2 to 3 months. OMG!!! I've been here 13+ yrs & NEVER have known to do this. I hope that fixes the problem cause I'm tired as hell from dusting EVERYTHING...including inside my kitchen, bathroom, & pantry cabinets & EVERY dish, glass, & silverware on top of all the furniture, doors, walls, & windows!! In fact, I've done that twice & until the problem is fixed, I'm not doing all that anymore. I clean as I need the items. Have you ever heard of a problem like this? Oh & I meant to tell you that you sorta misspoke about the 90 days on the filters you showed. It states on the filters that they can ladt "up to" 90 days. Which can be a big difference. Any ideas are welcomed so I can combat the dust & jave my house at leadt look clean again. Thx for your time.
Sorry about you issues. I have been told that the dust is because the house itself is leaking and the dust/dirt is being drawn in when the system is on. I don't have a filter in my furnace in the attic. I have also been told if you house is very leak tight that then you need to have fresh air brought into the house and then there is a filter in the duct that does that. Cleaning the ducts gets rid of the dirt in the ducts but new dirt/dust is back. I have flex duct so afraid to have it clean for fear it will be torn. Think I need to replace mine anyway. Thanks for watching;
I like your table!! Thanks for the great video!! I use Merv 11's through Filter Buy. I have an American Standard Variable System, it doesnt have a problem with these filters
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.
I think I heard you say with more pleats you get more air flow. That is not usually true. It's actually the opposite. When you have more pleats, you have more area compacted and thus more restriction in air flow. I do use the HD FPR5 filters and think they are great for the price at 3 for about $15.
@@OakleysDIYHomeRenovation101Yes, you get more surface area with more pleats which in fact makes it MORE restrictive and you get LESS airflow because of that! It is not too difficult to understand! 😢🥲🤣😅😂🤣🥲
@@naturerules3371 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.
What i found on my system is the cheaper filters buckle and are difficult to get out when changing, not good beccause it leaves big gaps while running. Im trying a 3m 1500 this Month and so far system to be running fine and no buckling because it has very good support. Also newer model havac fans increase speed to over compisate for dirty filters. Time will tell
It depends on how much you use your a/c or furnace. Also depends on how air tight you house is. The "leaker" you house the more dirt that is sucked in and the more that goes through the filter. Thanks for watching.
If you have a 1 inch filter, no higher than MERV 7, unless you find a higher MERV with technology that does not increase static pressure. If you have a 2 inch filter, MERV 8 would be okay. What I would suggest is to convert/adjust your filter box/insert to a larger thickness, 4”, 5”, or even 6 if you can. The larger, the more surface area on the pleats, the higher the MERV can go without an increase in static pressure. But not too high. I have heard no higher than MERV 11 withe the larger filter.
How can you say that the cheapest air filter is the wrong air filter without justifying with facts. I have been using the cheap filter for 27 years and my system works and runs just fine. The problems with the higher rated filters is that they restrict air flow to the point that it takes a toll on the fan motor and it restricts the flow of heating and cooling to the furthest points within your home, not to even begin to mention the condensation issues that are caused with the heavier thicker higher fern rated filters.
That is true but that’s why a lot of Techs in an HVAC forum I’m in as well as the Tech that services my home recommends a MERV 5-8 filter versus the see-thru fiberglass filters (MERV 2) barely catching anything except large particles and hair. Dust goes thru it. You may be in a cleaner environment but some folks are in dusty environments and dust can collect on the coils. Don’t use the high MERV pleated filters-- but the basic MERV 7/8 pleated filters are fine - they only have bit more air flow resistance than fiberglass filters. The Home Depot HDX FPR 5 filters are cheap - 3 pack for $12.96. And change frequently every 30-60 days. I think MERV 13 is too restrictive.
Lol that's straight up anecdotal. I've been using merv 11 in my nearly 30+ year old system and it's working just fine. Both of us could be wrong both could be right. Lots of people do the wrong thing for a great long time and dont find out it's wrong until something eventually happens. Also didn't they find out years ago that fiberglass is extremely bad for the lungs and that's why they banned it in mattresses and whatnot why would you want to use that in a filter that goes directly into your air system??
“Yahoo!” I install an 8, then cut the perimeter cardboard ears off and lay in a simple spun fiberglass cheep filter on top of the 8. The cheep one gets the large particles and the 8 the remaining trash. By my listening to the airflow noise, I know the set needs replacing. That’s around 4 or 6 weeks, depending on the season. “It’s not rocket science!”
Same HVAC keep air flow will be same even with ANY filter, clean, dirty, any MERV rate. It will be compensate by blow, haw hard blow will work and how many resource and electricity will be used. Filter in HVAC use to clean air to prevent dirty accumulate in system. It is very expensive way to use HVAC to clean air in house. Mach more efficient to use air purifier, most expensive cost hundreds of $, it times cheep compare with HVAC, or it can be DIY for less then $100 by using 4 MERV 13 filters.
For more product review click the link: linktw.in/e3Onlo
"we learned that home depot just made some shit up" 💀🤣
Of course, I have Home Depot filters (Merv 8) because they are next door to my hair stylist. Next time, there's Amazon and I will save gasoline!
What we don't know is what the airflow of each filter is? We can see pleats we can see merv but we don't know the actual performance.
A few things to keep in mind:
1. The only way to see if a filter is causing too much airflow restriction is measuring your static pressure with manometer.
2. A new filter might not restrict too much airflow, but as they get clogged with particles, often the higher MERV rating ones can restrict flow more quickly.
3. The primary purpose of filters is to protect the equipment, but using a Fiberglass filter as recommended by some HVAC guys, can allow more dust to accumulate in your system. So it's a balance between too little filtration/high airflow and too much filtration/low airflow.
4. If you can, using a 2" or 4" filter of a given MERV rating, will provide more airflow than a 1" filter. This is difficult for those with 1" ceiling return filter setups.
5. I have gone with a MERV 5 to 8, until I can get my manometer in place and do some testing. Seems like a reasonable balance.
6. If you really want clean air for health reasons, consider a dedicated room air filter system (the Swiss make some very effective ones, but are expensive).
I have an old system with a fan dP of 0.2 in. wc. To get the recommended air flow of 350 to 400 scfm per ton of refrigeration, I use the filter with the least air resistance. The filter is used to protect the evaporator coil, not to keep your house dust free. I am only concerned with keeping out particles that will bridge the small openings of the evaporator coil. Particles the reach the coil are probably caught by the condensed water that runs down the coil. The entire air volume of a house passes through the coil every ten minutes during AC operation.
This was wonderful information!! Thank you. I will be using the 7🤗
Excellent informative video! Very well researched and presented. Thank you!
You are welcome, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Very good & easy to understand the difference of ac filters. I plan to follow your thinking & use the 7/9 filters. I have been having immense trouble with dust EVERYWHERE in my house. It is about to run me out!! I've had HVAC companies come out to check my system. The first company said that the filter I was using was choking my system...too much resistance for air to flow thru. He recommended the cheap filter. He actually said, "You're going to change oit the filter every 30 days anyway, why spend more money than necessary. I was doing that until I had another co.pany out for a 2nd opinion. Then I was told my ac is not going to last that entire summer or the next one. He continued to say the heater is leaking oil & can catch fire. He changed a part on my ac that cost me $130 cause he discounted down (w/his bosses permission) from $350 & then talked to me about a $17k new HVACC but he could reduce it to $12k. I declined. He was shocked. Same company sold my gf a $17k system before they came to my house. Her house was built in the early 80s. They took the system out of her attic & put it in her garage & the duct looks like a huge elephant trunk. It is hideous!!! I digress...nack to me. I recently saw a video a HVACC guy did $ he showed that same part & it only cost ~$11 & anyone can change it out. I was livid. Then I followed up w/a company to clean $ sanitize the ducts for $100. WTF???!!! That lasted about 1 to 2 weeks. I'm still overrun by dust. I bought my house brand new in 2011 & this started 3 yrs ago. Never a problem before. I recently saw a video from a HVACC guy that talked about a filter in the central heater. I have NEVER heard of that before. I'm waiting for .y son to go into the attic to see if there is one in the heater & get a new one. I looked up these filters online & they say to change them every 2 to 3 months. OMG!!! I've been here 13+ yrs & NEVER have known to do this. I hope that fixes the problem cause I'm tired as hell from dusting EVERYTHING...including inside my kitchen, bathroom, & pantry cabinets & EVERY dish, glass, & silverware on top of all the furniture, doors, walls, & windows!! In fact, I've done that twice & until the problem is fixed, I'm not doing all that anymore. I clean as I need the items. Have you ever heard of a problem like this? Oh & I meant to tell you that you sorta misspoke about the 90 days on the filters you showed. It states on the filters that they can ladt "up to" 90 days. Which can be a big difference. Any ideas are welcomed so I can combat the dust & jave my house at leadt look clean again. Thx for your time.
Sorry about you issues. I have been told that the dust is because the house itself is leaking and the dust/dirt is being drawn in when the system is on. I don't have a filter in my furnace in the attic. I have also been told if you house is very leak tight that then you need to have fresh air brought into the house and then there is a filter in the duct that does that. Cleaning the ducts gets rid of the dirt in the ducts but new dirt/dust is back. I have flex duct so afraid to have it clean for fear it will be torn. Think I need to replace mine anyway. Thanks for watching;
I like your table!! Thanks for the great video!! I use Merv 11's through Filter Buy. I have an American Standard Variable System, it doesnt have a problem with these filters
Glad you liked the video. Thank you for watching.
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.
I think I heard you say with more pleats you get more air flow. That is not usually true. It's actually the opposite. When you have more pleats, you have more area compacted and thus more restriction in air flow. I do use the HD FPR5 filters and think they are great for the price at 3 for about $15.
I don't think so, you get more surface area with more pleats. Thanks for watching.
@@OakleysDIYHomeRenovation101Yes, you get more surface area with more pleats which in fact makes it MORE restrictive and you get LESS airflow because of that! It is not too difficult to understand! 😢🥲🤣😅😂🤣🥲
@@naturerules3371 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.
I just checked my system requirements and they state a MERV 6 as a minimum. I've been using a MERV 8 for years.
Nice video. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you liked it, thank you for watching
The filtrete 1900 has 54 pleats
Thanks for the info! I have two hammers and a mallet.
DIY level: upcharge 😂🔨
What i found on my system is the cheaper filters buckle and are difficult to get out when changing, not good beccause it leaves big gaps while running. Im trying a 3m 1500 this Month and so far system to be running fine and no buckling because it has very good support. Also newer model havac fans increase speed to over compisate for dirty filters. Time will tell
This is insane. What was wrong with the micron system? Not only that, the prices are ridiculous on some of these filters.
Should we assume that the filters last for 90 days as the packaging states?
It depends on how much you use your a/c or furnace. Also depends on how air tight you house is. The "leaker" you house the more dirt that is sucked in and the more that goes through the filter. Thanks for watching.
If you have a 1 inch filter, no higher than MERV 7, unless you find a higher MERV with technology that does not increase static pressure. If you have a 2 inch filter, MERV 8 would be okay. What I would suggest is to convert/adjust your filter box/insert to a larger thickness, 4”, 5”, or even 6 if you can. The larger, the more surface area on the pleats, the higher the MERV can go without an increase in static pressure. But not too high. I have heard no higher than MERV 11 withe the larger filter.
Home Depot's way of selling more expensive filters.
How can you say that the cheapest air filter is the wrong air filter without justifying with facts. I have been using the cheap filter for 27 years and my system works and runs just fine. The problems with the higher rated filters is that they restrict air flow to the point that it takes a toll on the fan motor and it restricts the flow of heating and cooling to the furthest points within your home, not to even begin to mention the condensation issues that are caused with the heavier thicker higher fern rated filters.
That is true but that’s why a lot of Techs in an HVAC forum I’m in as well as the Tech that services my home recommends a MERV 5-8 filter versus the see-thru fiberglass filters (MERV 2) barely catching anything except large particles and hair. Dust goes thru it. You may be in a cleaner environment but some folks are in dusty environments and dust can collect on the coils.
Don’t use the high MERV pleated filters-- but the basic MERV 7/8 pleated filters are fine - they only have bit more air flow resistance than fiberglass filters. The Home Depot HDX FPR 5 filters are cheap - 3 pack for $12.96. And change frequently every 30-60 days.
I think MERV 13 is too restrictive.
Lol that's straight up anecdotal. I've been using merv 11 in my nearly 30+ year old system and it's working just fine. Both of us could be wrong both could be right. Lots of people do the wrong thing for a great long time and dont find out it's wrong until something eventually happens. Also didn't they find out years ago that fiberglass is extremely bad for the lungs and that's why they banned it in mattresses and whatnot why would you want to use that in a filter that goes directly into your air system??
Great vid
Thank you, glad you liked it.
Love it!
“Yahoo!” I install an 8, then cut the perimeter cardboard ears off and lay in a simple spun fiberglass cheep filter on top of the 8. The cheep one gets the large particles and the 8 the remaining trash. By my listening to the airflow noise, I know the set needs replacing. That’s around 4 or 6 weeks, depending on the season. “It’s not rocket science!”
Same HVAC keep air flow will be same even with ANY filter, clean, dirty, any MERV rate. It will be compensate by blow, haw hard blow will work and how many resource and electricity will be used. Filter in HVAC use to clean air to prevent dirty accumulate in system. It is very expensive way to use HVAC to clean air in house. Mach more efficient to use air purifier, most expensive cost hundreds of $, it times cheep compare with HVAC, or it can be DIY for less then $100 by using 4 MERV 13 filters.
too much camera movement
Like #69 hahaha cool.
Also thanks, also wtf home depot...
Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.
To Mach bla,bla
Buy the cheap ones change every 30 days the others make you system work harder and can even destroy it.