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Re: [Shop-talk] Furnace Filters

To: "'Jim Stone'" <1789alpine@gmail.com>, "'Shop Talk'" <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Furnace Filters
From: Karl Vacek <stearman809@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2021 13:50:44 -0600
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: shop-talk@autox.team.net
References: <B3C714CF-AAC5-4A2B-959F-15F58A6D5232@gmail.com> <C8F4D84C-BA8D-4336-9818-E8489669A16F@icloud.com> <7A31A1A5-4974-420F-8A92-2DC3A90E5661@gmail.com>
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The 4=E2=80=9D filter will give you far more filter area.  Generally the =
media for a given MERV rating will be about the same (differs between =
brands of course).  A thicker filter has deeper pleats, probably almost =
as many in a 1=E2=80=9D or a 4=E2=80=9D cartridge, but the 4=E2=80=9D =
will have roughly 4 times the area.  Thus a thicker filter of the same =
MERV rating will generally last as much longer as it is thicker.

=20

Remember too that the more filter area the less the pressure drop across =
the filter.  Besides blower life, the lower the pressure drop the more =
effective the filtration will be.  I used 5=E2=80=9D filters in the old =
furnace because they were the thickest that would fit.  I think they =
were about $35 apiece for 20x25.  New furnace has Carrier=E2=80=99s =
mucho-expensive air filtration system which is a box that holds a =
5=E2=80=9D filter and some electrostatic wires on the clean side.  While =
the 10-year warrantee is running I=E2=80=99ll bend over to buy theirs, =
but I doubt they=E2=80=99re anything special other than that they =
connect with a sensor in the unit that tells it that it=E2=80=99s eating =
the expensive stuff.

=20

Karl

=20

=20

=20

From: Shop-talk [mailto:shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of =
Jim Stone
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2021 6:03 PM
To: Shop Talk
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Furnace Filters

=20

Thanks, guys.  That is all good feedback. David: I hadn=E2=80=99t =
considered using a washable filter, but it is an interesting idea.  It =
looks like a 4=E2=80=9D one will cost me around $100, so the breakeven =
point is after a year.  Not too bad.

=20

But, here is an interesting point that showed up tangentially when I =
Googled =E2=80=9Cwashable furnace filters=E2=80=9D:=20

=20

Fortunately, most 20x25x4 air filters last between six to eight months. =
By that calculation, the average homeowners will not need more than two =
20x25x4 air filters in any given year. In contrast, a one-inch air =
filter will need to be changed every two to three months.  =
https://servicechampions.com/benefits-of-a-20x25x4-air-filter-installed-i=
n-your-furnace/

=20

If that is true, the cost difference between the 4=E2=80=9D and =
1=E2=80=9D disappears.  Thoughts?

=20

Jim=20

=20





On Dec 13, 2021, at 5:32 PM, Pat Horne <patintexas@icloud.com> wrote:

=20

My shop air handler is set up to use a 2=E2=80=9D filter but the =
installer said to use 2 one inch filters, both good ones. I watch the =
first one & remove it when it is too dirty, move the second one up & =
install a new second one.=20

There is some discoloration on the second filter, so it is doing =
something.=20

=20

If you want to go with two different ones, I=E2=80=99d put the poorer =
one first, followed by the better one.=20

=20

My HVAC guy says to not use the corrugated filters, nor the fiberglass =
ones that you can see throughout. He sells me Purolator 312 filters by =
the case.=20

Peace,

Pat

=20

Pat Horne=20

We support Habitat for Humanity

=20


On Dec 13, 2021, at 4:21 PM, Jim Stone <1789alpine@gmail.com> wrote:

=EF=BB=BFThe company that installed my HVAC system a few years ago used =
a filter box on the return line that takes 20=E2=80=9D x 25" x =
4=E2=80=9D filters, which is an unusual, and thus expensive, size - =
filters generally run about $25 each - that is not readily available =
other than online.  During construction, my general contractor just had =
a cheap 20=E2=80=9D x 25" x 1=E2=80=9D filter in there that seemed to =
work just fine.  I checked the installation instructions for the furnace =
and there are no specifications for the filters, other than that they =
need to be changed regularly, which is getting pretty expensive.  Is =
there any reason I couldn=E2=80=99t just use 1=E2=80=9D filters, which =
are less than half the price?  Maybe even put two of them in the box, a =
good one first to catch most of the dust and a cheap one like the =
contractor used as a secondary one.  It is a snug fit and I =
don=E2=80=99t think there is any danger of them tipping, but two would =
make it impossible.

=20

Thanks,

Jim

_______________________________________________

Shop-talk@autox.team.net
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk =
http://autox.team.net/archive

http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/patintexas@icloud.com

=20


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vlink=3Dpurple style=3D'word-wrap: break-word;-webkit-nbsp-mode: =
space;line-break:after-white-space'><div class=3DWordSection1><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'>The 4=E2=80=9D filter will give you far more filter area.=C2=A0 =
Generally the media for a given MERV rating will be about the same =
(differs between brands of course).=C2=A0 A thicker filter has deeper =
pleats, probably almost as many in a 1=E2=80=9D or a 4=E2=80=9D =
cartridge, but the 4=E2=80=9D will have roughly 4 times the area.=C2=A0 =
Thus a thicker filter of the same MERV rating will generally last as =
much longer as it is thicker.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'>Remember too that the more filter area the less the pressure drop =
across the filter.=C2=A0 Besides blower life, the lower the pressure =
drop the more effective the filtration will be.=C2=A0 I used 5=E2=80=9D =
filters in the old furnace because they were the thickest that would =
fit.=C2=A0 I think they were about $35 apiece for 20x25.=C2=A0 New =
furnace has Carrier=E2=80=99s mucho-expensive air filtration system =
which is a box that holds a 5=E2=80=9D filter and some electrostatic =
wires on the clean side.=C2=A0 While the 10-year warrantee is running =
I=E2=80=99ll bend over to buy theirs, but I doubt they=E2=80=99re =
anything special other than that they connect with a sensor in the unit =
that tells it that it=E2=80=99s eating the expensive =
stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'>Karl<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546=
A'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p><div><div =
style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in =
0in 0in'><p class=3DMsoNormal><b><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span>=
</b><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> =
Shop-talk [mailto:shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net] <b>On Behalf Of =
</b>Jim Stone<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, December 13, 2021 6:03 =
PM<br><b>To:</b> Shop Talk<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Shop-talk] Furnace =
Filters<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal>Thanks, =
guys. &nbsp;That is all good feedback. David: I hadn=E2=80=99t =
considered using a washable filter, but it is an interesting idea. =
&nbsp;It looks like a 4=E2=80=9D one will cost me around $100, so the =
breakeven point is after a year. &nbsp;Not too =
bad.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>But, here is an interesting point that showed up =
tangentially when I Googled =E2=80=9Cwashable furnace =
filters=E2=80=9D:&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><blockquote =
style=3D'margin-left:30.0pt;margin-right:0in'><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0433FF;background:white'=
>Fortunately, most 20x25x4 air filters last between&nbsp;</span><b><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0433FF'>six to eight =
months</span></b><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0433FF;background:white'=
>. By that calculation, the average homeowners will not need more than =
two 20x25x4 air filters in any given year. In contrast, a one-inch air =
filter will need to be changed every two to three months. =
&nbsp;</span><a =
href=3D"https://servicechampions.com/benefits-of-a-20x25x4-air-filter-ins=
talled-in-your-furnace/">https://servicechampions.com/benefits-of-a-20x25=
x4-air-filter-installed-in-your-furnace/</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockq=
uote><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>If that is true, the cost difference between the =
4=E2=80=9D and 1=E2=80=9D disappears. =
&nbsp;Thoughts?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Jim&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>On =
Dec 13, 2021, at 5:32 PM, Pat Horne &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:patintexas@icloud.com";>patintexas@icloud.com</a>&gt; =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>My =
shop air handler is set up to use a 2=E2=80=9D filter but the installer =
said to use 2 one inch filters, both good ones. I watch the first one =
&amp; remove it when it is too dirty, move the second one up &amp; =
install a new second one.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>There is some discoloration on the second filter, so =
it is doing something.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>If you want to go with two different ones, I=E2=80=99d =
put the poorer one first, followed by the better =
one.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>My HVAC guy says to not use the corrugated filters, =
nor the fiberglass ones that you can see throughout. He sells me =
Purolator 312 filters by the =
case.&nbsp;<br><br>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Pat<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>Pat =
Horne&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>We support Habitat =
for Humanity<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>On Dec 13, 2021, at =
4:21 PM, Jim Stone &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:1789alpine@gmail.com";>1789alpine@gmail.com</a>&gt; =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>=EF=BB=BF</span>The company =
that installed my HVAC system a few years ago used a filter box on the =
return line that takes 20=E2=80=9D x 25&quot; x<b> 4=E2=80=9D</b> =
filters, which is an unusual, and thus expensive, size - filters =
generally run about $25 each - that is not readily available other than =
online. &nbsp;During construction, my general contractor just had =
a&nbsp;cheap 20=E2=80=9D x 25&quot; x <b>1=E2=80=9D </b>filter in there =
that seemed to work just fine. &nbsp;I checked the installation =
instructions for the furnace and there are no specifications for the =
filters, other than that they need to be changed regularly, which is =
getting pretty expensive. &nbsp;Is there any reason I couldn=E2=80=99t =
just use 1=E2=80=9D filters, which are less than half the price? =
&nbsp;Maybe even put two of them in the box, a good one first to catch =
most of the dust and a cheap one like the contractor used as a secondary =
one. &nbsp;It is a snug fit and I don=E2=80=99t think there is any =
danger of them tipping, but two would make it =
impossible.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Jim<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'>__________________________________________=
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href=3D"mailto:Shop-talk@autox.team.net";>Shop-talk@autox.team.net</a><br>=
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