Why not use a washable A/C filter rather than throw away paper ones?

[pbm]

I bought a Bo-Aire electrostatic washable A/C filter when I had my central A/C installed 16 years ago. I wash it every 3 months during A/C season following the manufacturers directions (It's used in summer only as I don't have heat capability because I have a natural gas boiler). I don't understand how these type filters aren't more popular as throw away filters aren't cheap. It's 20"x30"x1" and IIRC I paid less than $200 for it...I'm thinking $160 or $170. Thoughts?

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Have done both. Wife tends to forget checking it in our second house. Our house in Lawrence for daily living gets a 3M recommended by the HVAC guy. Don't know any major differences in efficiency.

 

[Zee09]

They usually are the WIX of the filter world.... but....good on you.

 

[Zee09]

Have done both. Wife tends to forget checking it in our second house. Our house in Lawrence for daily living gets a 3M recommended by the HVAC guy. Don't know any major differences in efficiency.

You're wife is in good standing here where the braintrust repeat a nearly clogged air filter is the most efficient... yeah don't get up, I know where the door is....

 

[JavierH19]

What is the filtration rating of it?

 

[Urshurak776]

You're wife is in good standing here where the braintrust repeat a nearly clogged air filter is the most efficient... yeah don't get up, I know where the door is....

Lickity Split 10 speed Lake dude approves that message, but would add oil filters also.....

 

[Cujet]

What is the filtration rating of it?

MERV 1 to 9 depending on what you purchase. The basic electrostatic ones like on a window AC unit are MERV 1 to maybe 4. They really don't get the fine particulates in one pass. The better ones have multiple layers that build up a charge. Merv 4 is very common and the better ones are MERV 8 or 9.

I've used them extensively and they tend to work well. I've also found that the high end pleated filters with MERV 14 ratings are restrictive, clog fast, and the evaporator coil still gets dirty over time. They tend to fall short as some air will bypass them due to restrictions.

 

[Geekhead]

MERV 1 to 9 depending on what you purchase. The basic electrostatic ones like on a window AC unit are MERV 1 to maybe 4. They really don't get the fine particulates in one pass. The better ones have multiple layers that build up a charge. Merv 4 is very common and the better ones are MERV 8 or 9.

I've used them extensively and they tend to work well. I've also found that the high end pleated filters with MERV 14 ratings are restrictive, clog fast, and the evaporator coil still gets dirty over time. They tend to fall short as some air will bypass them due to restrictions.

Home Depot HDX or equivalent Merv 8 is best I find and backed by many HVAC techs. I have a 16x25x4/38 and change 2x/yr.

 

[opus1]

If the general public approaches furnace filter maintenance the way they do car maintenance, chances are it's not costing them much more to use disposable filters. At least not until there are problems due to lack of maintenance.

 

[pbm]

What is the filtration rating of it?

I believe it's a MERV 8 but it might be 11.
11 is the highest I would use....after that (13 and 14) are too restrictive which puts a strain on the equipment in my opinion.

 

[GSCJR]

My 2003 Trane XR90 furnace came with a high velocity washable filter (FLR01486). After several years, I grew tired of washing and waiting for it to dry, so I replaced it with disposable 3M filters with a high a MERV value. As time went on, I transitioned to low MERV to increase air flow and that's what I currently use (HDX MERV 2)

 

[SeaJay]

I believe it's a MERV 8 but it might be 11.
11 is the highest I would use....after that (13 and 14) are too restrictive which puts a strain on the equipment in my opinion.

Use a MERV 11, never a problem, in Florida change em every 6 weeks in the summer, every two months in thes shorter cooler seasons.

 

[Rand]

I bought a Bo-Aire electrostatic washable A/C filter when I had my central A/C installed 16 years ago. I wash it every 3 months during A/C season following the manufacturers directions (It's used in summer only as I don't have heat capability because I have a natural gas boiler). I don't understand how these type filters aren't more popular as throw away filters aren't cheap. It's 20"x30"x1" and IIRC I paid less than $200 for it...I'm thinking $160 or $170. Thoughts?

I get a box of 12 filters for under $30 usually lasts 2.5 years. they are FPR5 which is aprox merv 8

so your $160 filter would be 12+ years of filters for me..