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..

 

[pbm]

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..

I see my 20"x30"x1" filters selling for a lot more than that....like $12 to $18 each.....or a 3 pack for $45 at Costco.
Where are you getting them at 12 for $30?

 

[Rand]

Home depot on sale

They're not on sale but your size is about $5 currently

 

[alarmguy]

Just changed my filters, typically every three months but went a few weeks into the 4th month by mistake. I used to buy the DEEP 4inch grill filters in our last home and change every 6 months to 1 year, but at the cost it was better buying the 1inch and doing it every three months.

14x14x1 and 25x14x1 I always try not to get anything higher than Merv 8 but sometimes for the smaller 14x14 I will get a Merv 11, not always by choice.

PLUS the system has a 6x6 inch filter INSIDE the air box of the 25x14 filter. The system when it turns on has a solenoid that opens a a flap that draws in outside air through a 5 inch or so duct in the roof. That duct is plumbed into the 25x14 air box and sits deep inside at the top of the box.

Look how dirty the 6x6 filter gets from drawing in outside air. Compared to the indoor filters that were in place for over 3 months. Sometimes I think about disabling the flap that allows outside air to be drawn in, but it's there as part of the house design which is a tight sealed house. So I am not sure if that is a good idea. It just seems a bit extreme. Then again, maybe it's building code now and important.