The local Home Depot finally carries a 3M Filtrete HVAC filter in my 25 x 16 x 4 size. It fit perfectly. My old one was a HDX Merv 8. Here are some shots.
Filtrete HVAC air filters
- Thread starter Snagglefoot
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That's very exciting news.
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It's likely less restrictive too since the filter media is larger.
Fun fact: the 3M 1900 (MERV13) actually has the least restriction because of its massive filter media: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=223260&DocumentContentId=27716
Fun fact: the 3M 1900 (MERV13) actually has the least restriction because of its massive filter media: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=223260&DocumentContentId=27716
This the only filter that I use. My parents purchased a Goodman furnace 5ish years ago and so far so good. Furnace filters are cheap in the scheme of things furnace maintenance and replacement isn't.
I no longer use Filtrete, I buy the less restrictive paperless type and change them every 3 or 4 months.
I go with the Merv 8 from Home Depot for that reason. Remember the particle capture only goes up as the media loads up with particles. Airflow will thus drop every day. I think this is more important during the heating season as you don't want hot spots on the heat exchanger due to poor airflow. During AC it is efficiency losses and higher cooling bills.
The 3M filter has what looks like 13 pleats vs the 10 on whatever you used before (HDX /Honeywell)
Lots of third party data on 3M filter show them to be excellent with only the lennox brand being measurably superior.
Lots of third party data on 3M filter show them to be excellent with only the lennox brand being measurably superior.
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A merv 8 will cause higher heat exchange temperatures than a merv 5, especially a loaded one.
True but so far I have not seen a merv 5 for sale in any any store I visit in my specific size. So I just replace 2x/yr. My 21 yr old Lennox passes inspections every year and so far so good no heat exchanger cracks or CO readings.
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Yup, that study, posted by a previous member, has had me buying those filters for exactly that reason. Flow amazingly well while also filtering like a total boss.
Don’t get hung up on filtering efficiency. It can hurt the furnace in the long term and in reality won’t provide any meaningful difference in air quality of your house.
The big 5 inch think filters can be higher merv because of the big surface area and not restrict airflow, but for the normal 1 inch think ones, I would use the cheap, mesh type ones and change them every month or two.
The big 5 inch think filters can be higher merv because of the big surface area and not restrict airflow, but for the normal 1 inch think ones, I would use the cheap, mesh type ones and change them every month or two.
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