Trane CleanEffects furnace filter

[Mrwurm]

My wife wants to upgrade the standard 1 inch thick furnace filter to a hi-tech model that will control allergens better.

We got a quote on the Trane CleanEffects model. $1,499. Any thoughts on this product ? Is it as good as the Trane website claims ? The installer said he recommends running the furnace blower 24/7 with this unit. Will it harm the unit if the blower is not running all the time ? (I understand that it only filters when air is moving, but I really don't want my blower running all the time)

How about the price ? Is $1,499 a reasonable price. A duct offset elbow needs to be installed to gain 3 more inches between the cold air return and the furnace. Other than that, its a simple install.

 

[rdln]

hey jerry, how's work?

that sounds like its has a uv light? also sounds like a lot of money.

I dont know, wouldnt it be nice if your doctor prescribed it due to asthma or something? just give the hvac guy your blue cross card hahahaha.

did you get quotes from anybody else?

 

[Mrwurm]

Work is good, we've been quietly hiring.

The trane does not have UV lights. Its the only high-end filter with no bulbs or prefilters to change.

I only got one price. It is quite expensive, but the wife wants it or something like it. Seeing as I have expensive toys, I can't complain too much. I'll have to find some other Trane dealers

 

[BobRip]

If you get it prescribed by a doctor, you might be able to use pretaxed dollars to pay for it. Hey, 30% to 40% off. It helps.
You can run the blower at lower speed and it will not wear much and not use much electricity. I think (just my opinion) that if you don't run it 24/7 you are probably wasting your money buying the filter.

 

[ronjhall]

Price seems high for a filter. Even with install. Check around. American Standard sells the same filter. They are the same products. When we had our furnace installed with a Space Guard filter. The complete price was $3000 more than the same furnace/AC from American Standard.

 

[dmccarty]

Jerry,

If you can, find the wattage for the blower, that woud tell you what it will cost to run.

In my area a KW Hour cost me ten cents.

I just read an article in the Journal of Light Construction that blowers take 500 to 700 watts to run.

500 watts * 30 days *24 hours = 360,000 watt hours/month
360,000 / 1000 = 360 KiloWatt Hours
360 KW Hours x ten cents = $36

Seems like a lot of money to me. Our electric bill runs about $90 if the AC is not running.

Later,
Dan

 

[ronjhall]

My wife wants to upgrade the standard 1 inch thick furnace filter to a hi-tech model that will control allergens better.
The installer said he recommends running the furnace blower 24/7 with this unit. Will it harm the unit if the blower is not running all the time ? (I understand that it only filters when air is moving, but I really don't want my blower running all the time)

You may find running the blower full time in the winter uncomfortable.
We had a Honeywell thermostat installed that has a programmable fan control. I will run the fan at least 20% of the time. It is also programmable to what times during the day this feature is wanted. Our furnace has a variable speed blower. With this feature the fan can run at a very low volume. We can barely tell this cycle is running.
According to Honeywell's site, this thermostat has to be installed by a HVAC professional.

 

[Mrwurm]

Ron, that sounds good. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Sigarms]

Honeywell and Aprilaire make various types of air cleaners (media, electronic...) that are of good quality and costs less to the dealer than the Trane clean air effects, which should mean a lower instal price for you.

Personally did not care for the way Trane/American Standard ran their "testing" on their air cleaner and how they "presented" their statistics.

That being said, people pay good money for "ionic air cleaners" that are a total waste of money and accomplish nothing, so...if you spend the big bucks on the Trane air cleaner, you're doing more for your air than wasting it on an "ionic" air cleaner.

One word..... "marketing".

 

[kenmac]

Honeywell and Aprilaire make various types of air cleaners (media, electronic...) that are of good quality and costs less to the dealer than the Trane clean air effects, which should mean a lower instal price for you.

I agree, If you have a johnstone store in your area you may want to check with them .I think they sell honeywell brand as well as others for less than the trane unit. Johnstone ( in my area ) will sell to anyone (although dealers get a better price) you could buy & self install or have someone install the unit for you