Filters

10 views
Skip to first unread message

Gene

unread,
Jul 16, 2011, 12:55:04 PM7/16/11
to Hallowell Acadia
Hi all,

It is interesting to see how discussions have evolved over the last
few weeks. As we are less concerned about compressors dying (thanks
again to Gabe and David), attention is starting to turn to "tune up"
items.

My question concerns filters. Our 4 ton has a Honeywell 20 X 20 X 4
filter (Honeywell F100F 1020 unit). These are EXPENSIVE filters,
around $30.

Which filters does your unit use? If the 4" filter, how often do you
change it? Or, simply out, how do you know when to change it?

With a $4 filter, if it looks dirty , I change it, but that would get
quite expensive with this one.

Has anyone found a cheaper supplier? Anyone using a reusable filter?

I'm also going to post this on the new site.

Thanks. Gene

David Friedman

unread,
Jul 16, 2011, 2:12:16 PM7/16/11
to hallowel...@googlegroups.com
Mine is also that thick expensive filter - but I think F.W. Wells charged a bit less.  My take on clenliness was to hold the filter up to a light and see if it is easy to see thru. 
 
Of course another tool is to compare color.  the original was white or yellow and after a month the filter gets quite black.
 
Althought expensive - I think that even moderately dirty filters hurt performance with (I think) also causing icing due to less heat dleivered out to outside unit.
 
David

Tom Berkey

unread,
Jul 16, 2011, 2:28:45 PM7/16/11
to hallowel...@googlegroups.com
What make AHU do you have? A York (AVY36) was supplied with my ACHP and the filters are 1" thick (the standard you find in any big box home store).

Tom

Kris Heikkila

unread,
Jul 16, 2011, 3:05:39 PM7/16/11
to hallowel...@googlegroups.com

On Jul 16, 2011, at 2:12 PM, David Friedman wrote:

> Mine is also that thick expensive filter - but I think F.W. Wells

No such place exists . Do you mean F W Webb?

As for proper filter length of service. The standard definition for a
tech would be to measure the static pressure drop across the filter to
determine the restriction in the filter ( or dirty coil) Depending on
the design of the system, some homes I have serviced were affected by
a " dirty filter" upon inspection, the a/c coil was filthy and was the
cause of the restriction.
.5 inches of water column is the unicorn ( desired but never seen) ,
but anything within 1.0 and less is ideal. Those of you that have
icing problems and are constantly changing what looks like a kinda
clean filter may wish to have the system evaluated by a competent
service tech that can test the static pressure drop of the return, the
filter , the coil and the supply.... No fair opening all those closed
registers before he gets there......
While I know most people do not have a magnahelic gauge . any draft
meter will work. I have seen some homes that have a green yellow red
gauge in the ductwork. If your spaceguard or air bear filter is
getting dirty and restricting the airflow with 1- 2 months I suspect
that you have a very dirty house with a large amount of traffic or the
home has many holes for intake of airborne debris from the outside.
I have found that most homes can use the standard airbear ( 20x25x5)
or spaceguard ( 20x25x6) The latter of the two now has a cheap upgrade
that runs about 12-15$ I have 4 dogs and I get 4-8 months out of one.
Kris Heikkila

Ryan Shapiro

unread,
Jul 16, 2011, 3:47:14 PM7/16/11
to hallowel...@googlegroups.com
I use filtersfast.com, good prices, no problems.

Ernst denBroeder

unread,
Jul 16, 2011, 4:01:59 PM7/16/11
to hallowel...@googlegroups.com
I have two 16" x 25" x 5" filter cabinets in parallel on my 3T. I change them at 6 months of run time (my honeywell tstat is setup to count the hours). Cost is about $55/year at the local contractors supply house.

USN-LPD7

unread,
Jul 17, 2011, 10:09:39 PM7/17/11
to Hallowell Acadia
I have a 20x22x1 filter setup and I buy MERV 8 pleated filters from
the dealers with the lowest prices I can find, I have just recently
picked up a set of filters with baking soda embedded in the fibers,
suppose to be great for freshening the air.

As far as length of service, it depends greatly upon your air quality,
my wife is very tidy and are non smokers so filters last us usually 2
months even though the ones I buy state 90 days.



On Jul 16, 4:01 pm, Ernst denBroeder <erns...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have two 16" x 25" x 5" filter cabinets in parallel on my 3T.  I change them at 6 months of run time (my honeywell tstat is setup to count the hours).  Cost is about $55/year at the local contractors supply house.  
>

Beekster

unread,
Jul 18, 2011, 6:49:01 PM7/18/11
to Hallowell Acadia
I agree Ryan, I have also been buying from filtersfast. Their private-
brand 20x20x1 Merv 11 works just fine and the price point is low
enough that I change them monthly during the heating season even if
they are not really dirty.

Mike

On Jul 16, 3:47 pm, Ryan Shapiro <techmome...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I use filtersfast.com, good prices, no problems.
>
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages