Stupid AC filter question....

[JeffKeryk]

Why are filters different between CA and TX?

The house I am in right now (Arlington, TX) has 2 air conditioners. I looked around, and this is pretty common.
I have never seen this in CA, but perhaps in the Central Valley? Dunno...
I was wondering if some special filter might be important for the high demand.

 

[DBMaster]

I am near you in DFW and have been using MERV 7 or 8 pleated filters for years. I opened up the evaporator once to clean it and it was pretty spotless. I installed adhesive backed foam strips in the filter grill to hold the filters in place (mine are on the ceiling) and seal around the edges.

I also leave the blower on at all times. It cuts down on dust in the house overall.

 

[JustinH]

I lived in an apartment with 1 inch filters, and the inside of the unit was disgusting.

I had a house with one inch filters, and we changed them once a month (fiberglass), and everything was clean.

My new house has a 4 inch panel filter, it came with MERV12 filters. We buy MERV10 filters from Nordic Pure and have had excellent results changing them every 90 days.

Honestly 90 days is too often to change these types of filters, but I like to get up there and dump a little white vinegar down the drain to keep it from backing up.

 

[KrisZ]

The house I am in right now (Arlington, TX) has 2 air conditioners. I looked around, and this is pretty common.
I have never seen this in CA, but perhaps in the Central Valley? Dunno...
I was wondering if some special filter might be important for the high demand.

It doesn’t matter how many units are outside because there is only one air handler inside and that’s what the filter is for.
I have had very good service from HDs True Blue filters. They are pleated and very well priced when compared for Filterette brand.

 

[PandaBear]

The house I am in right now (Arlington, TX) has 2 air conditioners. I looked around, and this is pretty common.
I have never seen this in CA, but perhaps in the Central Valley? Dunno...
I was wondering if some special filter might be important for the high demand.

From what I heard AC in Texas is a safety requirement (you can die in heat stroke), and in case 1 fail you have another. Or maybe because it is cheaper to put in 2 5 ton than 1 10 ton, I don't know. My bro in law also has 2 5 tons at home there.

 

[KrisZ]

My current house has one 4 ton unit. The reason for two is because for residential AC systems 5 ton is the biggest you can get, so if the heat load calcs require more, two units are needed.

 

[DBMaster]

If your house is two-story two units is pretty much a must. As others have stated, if you exceed the interior volume that can be managed by a 5-ton system you would need additional units. I've seen smaller houses with single units and the result is that it's always hot upstairs in the summer. They don't seem to do a competent job of airflow balancing in new homes, either. It took getting a new plenum and adding an additional return air duct and filter to the system for it to perform well. So, for the first four years I was in this brand new house I had poor performance from the HVAC system.

 

[PWMDMD]

Our home used to use 2- 20x20x1 and 2- 14x14x1

I replaced them all with and only use 20x20x5 and 14x14x5 return grill filters. AKA 20x20x4 and 14x14x4
If you read all the responses above the 5 inch thick filters (actually 4.5 inch) I use cover all the bases! No restriction, great filtering capacity, dont have to be replaced as often. You can buy merv 8 or 11. Or one of each. Lower level of the house tends to pick up more dirt.

In hour home this means having to replace once a year, all four and honestly the ones on the second floor dont even look like they need it. I like the idea of higher flow through the vastly more surface area of a 4 inch deep media over less then half inch. Our main level has ceilings up to 16 feet high and the discharge registers are about maybe 10 feet high so I like to move alot of air downwards.

They aren't that common, most people (consumers) do not know they exist or even aware of the benefits. Once you start buying them and knowing how to search for them online it becomes second nature. Those expensive cheap thin filters you buy in the stores are huge money makers for the stores, I cant believe the price that some pay.

Im brand loyal to no company, I buy mostly price and at the same time I have learned which companies offer nicely made much better then Honeywell products, some made here in the USA, Honeywell is also ok, its just a filter.
I like Merv 8 or 11... IN the 14x14 I use mostly 11 but sometimes 8. It really depends more on price, doesnt matter, they are all good. But normally at least 2 of the four filters we use are Merv 11 and if they were 8 I wouldn't lose any sleep at all over it.

This is what I am using right now for the 20x20x5 ... I am happy with this company enough that I saved the site. Quality is top notch and price is great. But there are others, you just have to make sure you search 20x20x5 (or4) RETURN GRILL FILTERS.
Click here = 20x20x5 Return Grill Filter (keep in mind the price you see is for TWO filters, which is a great price for the quality) For the price I go with Merv 11 ...

For others, here is what they carry. Sometimes some companies stop carrying them and you need to search around a bit. Im really happy with these. https://filterbuy.com/brand/honeywell-filters/honeywell-return-grille-filters/


Anyway, for what its worth, this is one of the best questions I have seen in a long time and keep in mind the above filters are not "Honeywell" brand, they are Honeywell Compatible. I prefer they are not Honeywell which are expensive and not as nicely made as far as I think.

BTW the 1 inch filter link you posted isnt bad at all for I inch filters at least from what I can tell from a photo compared to retail stores. I do wonder if the size fits sung in the return grill, 19.5 would seem a bit on the loose side... have no idea/

FWIW....Supplyhouse.com had my 14x30x5 and 14x14x5 Honeywells for $29.00 and $32.00 compared to $47.50 and $45.50 at Filterbuy. I just ordered two days ago and they arrived today with free shipping.

 

[Donald]

Get an Aprilaire media filter housing installed. It uses 5" filters.

 

[alarmguy]

FWIW....Supplyhouse.com had my 14x30x5 and 14x14x5 Honeywells for $29.00 and $32.00 compared to $47.50 and $45.50 at Filterbuy. I just ordered two days ago and they arrived today with free shipping.

Yes, good point, it pays to shop around. I have used supplyhouse.com many times, never an issue with them. Im sure you noticed some of the Honeywell filters are sloppy made, especially the 14x14x5 not sure how much that matters, its just a bit surprising for the "Honeywell" name.

For us and the OP the 20x20x5 is less expensive on filterbuy.com then supply house by a few dollars the 14x14x5 is (right now) is much cheaper on supplyhouse.com. One must keep in mind shipping is free on filterbuy and $7 on Supplyhouse.

I can attest to the quality of the filter buyfilters.com compared to the Honeywell. All in all the price is a wash because filterbuy doesnt charge shipping and supplyhouse does.

Anyway, I do like Supplyhouse, price wins, way more so on your 14x30x5 and why it pays to shop around. In fact the two mentioned sites are among the best, Filterbuy offers a nice well made product with free ship and depending on size is well priced. Supplyhouse is a great site too, normally good prices just watch the shipping charge if your down to slitting hairs on price.
When it comes to filters Honeywell is just an ok made filter but a safe choice and one I have used many times but the 20x20x5 is pricey for what it is which is how I ended up at filterbuy , nicely made and I buy two at a time for a discount.
Either way, two good choices to order filters filterbuy.com and .... Supplyhouse has been my benchmark for pricing, others site have come and go over the last 15 years when it comes to the Return Grill Filters

 

[PWMDMD]

Yes, good point, it pays to shop around. I have used supplyhouse.com many times, never an issue with them. Im sure you noticed some of the Honeywell filters are sloppy made, especially the 14x14x5 not sure how much that matters, its just a bit surprising for the "Honeywell" name.

For us and the OP the 20x20x5 is less expensive on filterbuy.com then supply house by a few dollars the 14x14x5 is (right now) is much cheaper on supplyhouse.com. One must keep in mind shipping is free on filterbuy and $7 on Supplyhouse.

I can attest to the quality of the filter buyfilters.com compared to the Honeywell. All in all the price is a wash because filterbuy doesnt charge shipping and supplyhouse does.

Anyway, I do like Supplyhouse, price wins, way more so on your 14x30x5 and why it pays to shop around. In fact the two mentioned sites are among the best, Filterbuy offers a nice well made product with free ship and depending on size is well priced. Supplyhouse is a great site too, normally good prices just watch the shipping charge if your down to slitting hairs on price.
When it comes to filters Honeywell is just an ok made filter but a safe choice and one I have used many times but the 20x20x5 is pricey for what it is which is how I ended up at filterbuy , nicely made and I buy two at a time for a discount.
Either way, two good choices to order filters filterbuy.com and .... Supplyhouse has been my benchmark for pricing, others site have come and go over the last 15 years when it comes to the Return Grill Filters

It's funny the filters came well packaged and the 14x14x5's were perfect with the pleats nice and uniform/straight and undisturbed but the 14x30x5 pleats were all a mess. I made some adjustments with my hands and while not perfect (the spacing between pleats is wavy) they are open. I don't know if it was all in my head but it felt like the AH was moving significantly more air with the 5" filters compared to the 1" filters.

Are the filters from Filterbuy.com their own filter or are they Honeywells? I can't tell from the website because it make reference to Honeywell in multiple places.

 

[cvlw]

I like to spray my filters with a light coat of a filter coating. Smells good, reduces chance of mold and holds dust. Ed

What is the name/brand of the product you spray the filters? I am looking to do this to mine and am looking for product recommendations.

 

[alarmguy]

It's funny the filters came well packaged and the 14x14x5's were perfect with the pleats nice and uniform/straight and undisturbed but the 14x30x5 pleats were all a mess. I made some adjustments with my hands and while not perfect (the spacing between pleats is wavy) they are open. I don't know if it was all in my head but it felt like the AH was moving significantly more air with the 5" filters compared to the 1" filters.

Are the filters from Filterbuy.com their own filter or are they Honeywells? I can't tell from the website because it make reference to Honeywell in multiple places.

Yeah I have to admit if you don’t read carefully can be a little misleading the way they sell the filters. But once you see at the actual order where you select how many filters you want it says replacement for Honeywell. They are not Honeywell…I read on the website and confirms when I receive them they are their own brand. The website says it’s a family owned business…Made in the USA.
That’s funny your large filter is the sloppy Honeywell. My 14 x 14 was always the sloppy one. I’ve been using filterbuy now and haven’t seen the 14 x 14 in a while. It used to drive me nuts simply because I didn’t expect that from the Honeywell brand.

 

[blupupher]

Why are filters different between CA and TX?

It is not the filters, it is the things the filters get exposed to and need to filter out, as well as time used.
Some areas in Cali require a single filter change a year due to the system just not running much and not a lot of pollutants.
Most of Texas requires A/C for 10 months of the year, with summer time meaning 10-14 hours run time a day.

Will be interested to see what you think.
Electrostatic filters always interested me. Never had one at this point in my life never will, pricey too. thought I remember hearing about cleaning it being a pain, that was many, many years ago, havent thought of it since.

Cleaning was a pain. I tried just using a water hose with a spray nozzle to clean, and it just did not work well.
They make special sprays that you are supposed to use to pretreat before cleaning, then hose it off, and then wait for it to dry, and then hope in is clean. I just got tired of it.
I noticed no difference in how much dust ended up in my house after switching to the green ones, so just never bothered with it again.

 

[97prizm]

I prefer to have clean air, filters are cheap new furnaces are not. I got 21 years out of my last furnace using one green pre-filter, a 3M 1900 high performance fine filter and an electrostatic behind it.

 

[alarmguy]

I need to update a couple things to my previous posts in the spirit of being accurate.
Over the years I have mail ordered MANY Return Grill Filters. I normally have a few stocked onhand and sometimes forget I have them!
I do shop price, companies have come and gone, others have switched product suppliers at the cost of quality.
Just explaining why my update, sometimes I am reminded of who, what and where I ordered.

Anyway, After these posts, I decided to change out my return grill filters on the main level for the summer AC season, if forecast holds true, we will be approaching 100 degrees in a few days.

My main level uses 2 filters, 1- 20x20x5 (4ish actual) and 1-14x14x5 (4ish actual)

Second level uses 2 filters of the same size typical 8 to 11 Merv but I use 1 inch simply because they do not get half as dirty as the main level and I found after a year the two 5 inch filters would still be clean on the second floor so use the 1 inch for now anyway at this time.

Anyway, a good source for these RETURN GRILL FILTERS is
1. supplyhouse.com (mentioned by someone else, they are a reliable company and I have used them many times, though not recently you can't really go wrong)

2. filterbuy.com = The one I use 14x14x5 filter is their Merv 11, well made, neat clean construction. I will keep using for sure. I buy two at a time. They also make a slightly less expensive Merv 8 not as nice looking but will do the job for sure, I would put the Merv 8 on par with a Honeywell filter and have one of those as well. The Merv 11 is superior as far as look and feel of construction.

3. filtersusa.com = The one I am currently using is their Merv 10 14x14x5 very well made, tight fitting, superior compared to the 14x14x5 Honeywells I have used in previous years. (made in Mexico) I have only ordered from them once and just installed the second one from that order last year. I just checked the price and feel its a great price still for this 14x14x5 filter, though you need to get the order to around $50 for free ship.

With these filters it can be a little hit and miss. I shop price BUT I also look for quality and refine what I buy.
Sometimes I have even returned filters to other companies if they did not fit nice and tight, other times I just never ordered again. I don't THINK you can go wrong with numbers 1 & 2 ... Number 3 is a newer company to me but I am wowed as far as the nice clean construction of the 14x14x5.
There is never a 100% sure way to know one or two years later if any company will still use the same supplier. But All three of the above I would not hesitate to order from again and as I stated, for me, I will reorder the 20x20x4 Merv 11 from filterbuy.com and the Merv 10 14x14x5 from filtersusa.com if the price is right because a good place to compare is with supplyhouse.com and would not hesitate to order from them either.

All I know is assuming it will fit your return grill filter, without question I will always use this 5 inch deep filters (4ish actual) and the typical homeowner can safely just shop price and be happy but we are on BITOG and a little picky how a filter may "look" to us as well as fit. *LOL*

Ps. Sometimes searching for a 5 inch thick fiber can be tricky.
When on any site, type in "RETURN GRILL FILTER" to make sure you end up on the page with the correct filters. The other more popular filters are made for in the air duct before the coils or furnace and do not have the flange needed on the filter for the return grill.

 

[madeej11]

One reason the AC guys want you to use the cheapest filter so they can sell you on the coil cleanings.

I use a MERV 11-12 filters in my system and enjoy the benefits of cleaner air, with no issues at all. If you are worried about airflow buy a filter with more pleats.

It's amazing that we(bobistheoilguy) care about micron ratings about our engine air/oil filters but when it comes to HVAC filters nah just use a rock catcher.

Do more pleats = more air flow? Thought it might be the other way around.

 

[Dave Hess]

I like to spray my filters with a light coat of a filter coating. Smells good, reduces chance of mold and holds dust. Ed

Can you post a link to the product you spray ?

 

[alarmguy]

Do more pleats = more air flow? Thought it might be the other way around.

More pleats, more airflow because there is more filtering material present.
This is necessary for high-efficiency filters as air flow would be restricted with limited filtering material and less pleats on a 1 inch filter. To counteract this they increase the amount of pleats which increases the filter material surface area.

 

[blupupher]

Do more pleats = more air flow? Thought it might be the other way around.

With the same material, yes. More pleats (and/or deeper pleats) give you more surface area to flow the same amount of air over.

That is why this deep return air filter intrigued me.
I have used some of the high efficiency normal size filters, and I can hear a difference vs the green filters (I remember when they used to be blue).
I also found they tended to get dirty much faster, making airflow even worse.
Now I know a 4-5" deep filter will not give me 4-5x the filtering area over a 1 inch, but it will greatly increase it.

My unknown is will I realize a difference using a $35 filter vs a $3 filter. I don't know, but am willing to give it a go.
I wish I had a way to test airflow (I know there are tools out there for it, but I am not buying one), but think I may be able to tell just by sound how well it is flowing (I may pull my electrostatic filter down as well and see how that sounds).