High Efficiency A/C Filters?

[2LaneCruzer]

How many of you use the High Efficiency filters in you A/C units? I never saw the benefit, until this year when our allergies were so bad. Sharn Jean talked me into buying one of the HE filters in hopes that it would help with the allergies. I think it has helped some, but out of necessity we still spend time outside, so the allergies still persist.

I did notice one thing though; about the same time I installed the new filter, I did a two day house cleaning (Yeah, I do most of it, Sharn Jean gets breakfast in bed (not really) and does some custom sewing on the side) including a thorough dusting of the furniture, much of which is antique, wooden and are huge dust collectors. I have had the filter installed maybe a couple of months, and a recent inspection showed that there is little or no dust accumulation on the furniture! I guess the $18.00 price tag is worth it!

 

[mddorange]

I have been using them ever since I had cancer and found out the benefits when I stayed at Hope House during my treatment. They not only use HE filters, but clean everything weekly.

All food had to be cleaned up and put away quickly as it will get into the air also when left out.

 

[kenmac]

dust rarely comes from the A/C unit. It comes from many sources, outdoors, pets,etc,.
If your A/C unit wasn't designed for those thicker filters. I wouldn't use them.
Most returns I come across are undersized as is. Adding those thicker filters cause more issues.

 

[RNeumann]

It’s tough to compare as different brands use different ratings. We have used the $15-20 verity for years. We also have a thermostat that just runs the fan in “recirculate” randomly to help scrub and churn the air. We also tried the electrostatic filters......no bueno!

With allergies they say cleaning OUTSIDE but within 4-6’ of the house also helps a lot. Get rid of weeds, dead and decaying plants and fallen leaves and fix drainage etc. These are all sources of molds, pollens and grasses that are common allergens. As you found out carpet holds dust and the above offenders as well.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a firm believer in changing the filters at least once a month on the first. I did just that this morning!! I use pleated filters and buy a couple of three packs at a time so I always have some on hand. When I'm doing a lot of work around the house, and creating more dirt then normal, I change my filters more often. At one point last year I was changing them every week. I also wash out my AC coil with a little water a few times during the summer to keep them clean. I just pour a little water over it and vacuum out the excess. My HVAC guy showed me how they do it and it's really simple. I also pour a half cup of bleach down my drain line when I change my filter.

I think that it's more important to change the filter often, then to get a more restrictive filter that catches more stuff, but then plugs up sooner and restricts air flow.

 

[downsizingnow48]

We have three different heating/AC units with different size filters. For years I have got all the filters from the place linked below. They have every conceivable size, type, and efficiency rating, and are very informative about what their various filters will do for you. And cheaper than local stores. I have experimented with different efficiencies (MERV ratings). For us, a moderate rating filter works fine. My wife has springtime allergies and using the moderate filters while replacing regularly seems to help.

Home page

 

[teejk]

dust rarely comes from the A/C unit. It comes from many sources, outdoors, pets,etc,.
If your A/C unit wasn't designed for those thicker filters. I wouldn't use them.
Most returns I come across are undersized as is. Adding those thicker filters cause more issues.

I've heard that also. They can put a lot of strain on your blower motors.

 

[Sigarms]

I think that it's more important to change the filter often, then to get a more restrictive filter that catches more stuff, but then plugs up sooner and restricts air flow.

The higher the MERV rating, the more "restrictive" the airflow can be in the system, affecting the static pressure, which can lead to issues noted by Kenmac.

Minimum efficiency reporting value - Wikipedia

There is a whole world unto itself for "Indoor Air Quality" accessories (other than air filters) that actually could be beneficial to many.

 

[kcflhrc]

I think you are giving up a lot of efficiency for less dust. Many HVAC installers have told me this. An electrostatic filter is probably a lot better option.

 

[ning]

I'd use a better filter if we didn't have the windows open 90% of the time... keeping the newly hatched chicks out of the living room (in a mesh-covered box) would probably help the dust issues too.

 

[Bird]

This house had a monstrous filter on the HVAC unit in the attic when we bought the house; only needed changing once a year. However, air was leaking past that filter, and the evaporator coil had a tiny leak. So last month, my HVAC people replaced the evaporator coil under warranty, but then I let them replace that filter and the housing, etc. with a Honeywell filter with a MERV 11 rating, and they cleaned all the ductwork. I know many say that "usually" duct cleaning is a scam, but I think ours actually did need cleaning, especially since my wife had COPD. I think this new filter will be replaced every 6 months.

And like Eddie, I pour a little bleach down the condensation drain once a month.

 

[coolreinfarm]

Growing up we did not have A/C just opened the windows and turn on the fan. No allergies, had to go outside anyway. The problem I think is buildings are built too tight and the air in the structure becomes contaminated leading to other problems. After 45 years in commercial/ industrial HVAC I always set up minimum outside air to the engineers percentage. I think the same applies to homes where there is no outside air ducted in most of the time. Just an opinion.

 

[kittyhawk]

I have two indoor cats and I can tell that that the higher end filters help a lot. Used to get litter dust on everything now almost non existent.
I change the intake filters ever month and the larger attic filter ever six months.

 

[Bird]

Growing up we did not have A/C just opened the windows and turn on the fan. No allergies, had to go outside anyway. The problem I think is buildings are built too tight and the air in the structure becomes contaminated leading to other problems. After 45 years in commercial/ industrial HVAC I always set up minimum outside air to the engineers percentage. I think the same applies to homes where there is no outside air ducted in most of the time. Just an opinion.

I suspect you're right. I never slept in an air-conditioned building until I was 19 and bought a little mobile home.

 

[Gem99ultra]

We have three different heating/AC units with different size filters. For years I have got all the filters from the place linked below. They have every conceivable size, type, and efficiency rating, and are very informative about what their various filters will do for you. And cheaper than local stores. I have experimented with different efficiencies (MERV ratings). For us, a moderate rating filter works fine. My wife has springtime allergies and using the moderate filters while replacing regularly seems to help.

Home page

Those NordicPure filters can sure get pricey! Up to and over $16 each? I didn't even go further to check on shipping... The cheapest ones they listed were about the same as the hepa filters we're buying at Sam's. If their cheap ones are better than the 3M Filterette filters we pick up at Sam's, I'd sure want to know.. I'm sure they are good, but I'm not sure I can afford 'that good'

 

[TractorGuy]

I use a cleanable filter. I hadn't been cleaning it as often as I should till I decided to add it to my generator test day. Now I clean it once a month.

 

[KennyG]

If you try them, keep an eye on the dust build up. I froze up my A/C coil with them. Now I run the pleated HE filters in the winter and conventional filters in the summer.

 

[techman]

If you try them, keep an eye on the dust build up. I froze up my A/C coil with them. Now I run the pleated HE filters in the winter and conventional filters in the summer.

This is a very good point. A restricted coil can easily freeze with AC. High MERV filters will clog more quickly, so more frequent changes are needed.

paul

 

[QRTRHRS]

If you try them, keep an eye on the dust build up. I froze up my A/C coil with them. Now I run the pleated HE filters in the winter and conventional filters in the summer.

Same issue with the house previous home I had. The second floor unit was in the attic and a high efficency filter would cause the unit to freeze when running the air conditioning during the warmer months.