What a/c filter do you use.And were's the cheapest place to get them?

stephen4785 · 01-01-2008, 11:10 PM

Went to walmart and paid $12 for a filtrete (1200ppm). I wanted to buy a box of them but I really dont want to spend a c note on a box of filters.
Which one do you use?

8mpg · 01-01-2008, 11:34 PM

the cheap ones

bard · 01-02-2008, 05:26 AM

I use the cheaper pleated ones from the Depot (Homelife?) The fiberglass ones are worthless and my system can't handle the really good ones.

Chili · 01-02-2008, 03:07 PM

I can't buy mine at the store and the fucking things cost like $70.. At least they last a year..

GT98SVO · 01-02-2008, 03:09 PM

Used to get those 3M expensive ones at Lowes and Home Depot.

Now just buy the cheap ones and run air purifiers.

My dad sprays baby oil on his. Says it collects better down in Houston.

Goose1 · 01-02-2008, 05:50 PM

I use the 3m ones also cause of my hardwood floors.

propellerhead · 01-02-2008, 05:59 PM

I have the reusable one. I just clean it with the K&N Air Filter Cleaning kit every 50,000 miles.

jyro · 01-02-2008, 06:03 PM

They don't let enough air pass to keep the system running like it should, heating or cooling, the cheapest pleated filters are best for airflow and allow the system to move enough air to prevent freezups in the summer and heating elements and heatpumps from tripping out in the winter.
If you feel like you need a ultra filter like the 3M, design your system to have 288 sq inches of filter area per ton of air, that's double the norm.

fiberglass filters are 45% efficient, they allow 55% of the dirt to pass, most of the cheap pleated filters are 65% efficient. anymore than that and you block too much air unless the system is designed for greater surface area for the return air filter.

mikeb · 01-02-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyro

They don't let enough air pass to keep the system running like it should, heating or cooling, the cheapest pleated filters are best for airflow and allow the system to move enough air to prevent freezups in the summer and heating elements and heatpumps from tripping out in the winter.
If you feel like you need a ultra filter like the 3M, design your system to have 288 sq inches of filter area per ton of air, that's double the norm.

fiberglass filters are 45% efficient, they allow 55% of the dirt to pass, most of the cheap pleated filters are 65% efficient. anymore than that and you block too much air unless the system is designed for greater surface area for the return air filter.

I had been running the "good" pleated filters for years but decided to try the cheap fiberglass ones this summer to see if the cooling improved and like you said it did. Right now I have a cheap pleated filter in there to cut down on the dust in the house since the fan runs on "low" with the heat on but will probably switch back to the fiberglass ones for the summer.

Sgt Beavis · 01-02-2008, 10:02 PM

I totally agree with what you've said about fiberglass filters. But I can't use them. My allergies just don't allow it. Filtrete does a pretty decent job cleaning the air in my house so I can go through a day sneeze free. However I have to change them about once a month.

Blue90LXSupercharged · 01-03-2008, 12:06 AM

Mine is set up to run a 3" pleated filter but I can never find the 20x20 size. Loews and H/D have 20X25s. So we just run a 1' nice pleated filter. I get one that's $7 to $10, and change it every 3 to 4 weeks.

Big Studly · 01-03-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyro

They don't let enough air pass to keep the system running like it should, heating or cooling, the cheapest pleated filters are best for airflow and allow the system

now that I believe, although if builders had any real idea about HVAC systems they would find a fan with a little bit of room of the fan curve to allow for a loaded filter plus some extra....but I digress...

I would say use a HEPA filter from Camfil Farr

gspfunk · 01-03-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen4785

Went to walmart and paid $12 for a filtrete (1200ppm). I wanted to buy a box of them but I really dont want to spend a c note on a box of filters.
Which one do you use?

That's what we use. Our house is new and still stirring up dust. Our first filter was gray when we took it off. The one that's on there now is getting there. Hopefully they'll start getting better.

stephen4785 · 01-07-2008, 01:59 AM

Iv always grabbed the cheap white filters and not given it anymore thought than that. But my wife is having severe allergy problems so Iv decided to upgrade on the filters.

miketyler · 01-07-2008, 07:04 AM

when we upgraded to a heat pump, we installed the AprilAire filter system. Still about the same area as before but is about a foot tall and removes like a large drawer. Is folded but increases filter area and gets replaced 1-2 years depending on how frequent the fan is run.

MustangBilly/JunkYard302 · 01-07-2008, 08:19 AM

my home a/c system does o.k. with the cheapy's and if I put Expensive good ones the blower tends too work harder and tries too pull air around the filter and my a-coil dirty's up 8-12 months quiker between cleaning,so I change my cheapy's once a month..

Chili · 01-07-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketyler

when we upgraded to a heat pump, we installed the AprilAire filter system. Still about the same area as before but is about a foot tall and removes like a large drawer. Is folded but increases filter area and gets replaced 1-2 years depending on how frequent the fan is run.

That's more or less what mine is.. It's only 5"s thick though. It sits under the furnace where the air is all drawn in from.

Chili · 01-07-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketyler

when we upgraded to a heat pump, we installed the AprilAire filter system. Still about the same area as before but is about a foot tall and removes like a large drawer. Is folded but increases filter area and gets replaced 1-2 years depending on how frequent the fan is run.

That's more or less what mine is.. It's only 5"s thick though. It sits under the furnace where the air is all drawn in from.

wayne fontenot · 01-09-2008, 10:12 PM

i have one that is like a K&N, you pull it out and hose it off. i came from LOCKE in denton. i can't remember the name of it right now

Stephen · 01-10-2008, 03:32 AM

dont use cheap filters if your coils are hard to get to.. later on down the road it will be more expensive replacing your blower . my ac/heat system is 23 years old and still going decent. dont go by the 30 day rule either. if your system runs a lot replace when they look dirty. in texas your ac runs all the damn time. i change mine every two weeks in the summer

01-01-2008, 11:10 PM	#1
stephen4785 Lifer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Benbrook Posts: 6,153	What a/c filter do you use.And were's the cheapest place to get them? Went to walmart and paid $12 for a filtrete (1200ppm). I wanted to buy a box of them but I really dont want to spend a c note on a box of filters. Which one do you use?

01-01-2008, 11:34 PM	#2
8mpg Cummins > Powerstroke Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: id rather be cummin than strokin Posts: 18,140	the cheap ones __________________ 2006 Dodge Ram Megacab Cummins 2007 Nissan Altima 1969 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach1 1969 Chevy C10 1966 Mustang Coupe

01-02-2008, 03:07 PM	#4
Chili Some Chili in your taco? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Clueless, Texas Posts: 11,675	I can't buy mine at the store and the fucking things cost like $70.. At least they last a year.. __________________ Torch Red 04 GT When I get sad I stop being sad and be AWESOME instead. True story. - Barney Stinson

01-02-2008, 03:09 PM	#5
GT98SVO Old Fart Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Forney, TX, USA Posts: 1,251	Used to get those 3M expensive ones at Lowes and Home Depot. Now just buy the cheap ones and run air purifiers. My dad sprays baby oil on his. Says it collects better down in Houston. __________________ "Don't taze me, bro."

01-02-2008, 05:50 PM	#6
Goose1 Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,089	I use the 3m ones also cause of my hardwood floors. __________________ 05 Yamaha R6- Not stock anymore 90 Eagle Talon TSi- Yeah it's slow

01-02-2008, 05:26 AM	#3
bard Lifer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Frisco Posts: 4,398	I use the cheaper pleated ones from the Depot (Homelife?) The fiberglass ones are worthless and my system can't handle the really good ones.

01-02-2008, 05:59 PM	#7
propellerhead The token Asian guy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SBRacing Posts: 7,900	I have the reusable one. I just clean it with the K&N Air Filter Cleaning kit every 50,000 miles. __________________

01-02-2008, 06:03 PM	#8
jyro NOT the Oldest Fart HERE Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Midlothian, Tx Posts: 4,181	most of the ultra filters are too restrictive They don't let enough air pass to keep the system running like it should, heating or cooling, the cheapest pleated filters are best for airflow and allow the system to move enough air to prevent freezups in the summer and heating elements and heatpumps from tripping out in the winter. If you feel like you need a ultra filter like the 3M, design your system to have 288 sq inches of filter area per ton of air, that's double the norm. fiberglass filters are 45% efficient, they allow 55% of the dirt to pass, most of the cheap pleated filters are 65% efficient. anymore than that and you block too much air unless the system is designed for greater surface area for the return air filter.

01-02-2008, 10:02 PM	#10
Sgt Beavis Just Drew It!! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lake Dallas, TX Posts: 9,418	I totally agree with what you've said about fiberglass filters. But I can't use them. My allergies just don't allow it. Filtrete does a pretty decent job cleaning the air in my house so I can go through a day sneeze free. However I have to change them about once a month.

01-03-2008, 12:06 AM	#11
Blue90LXSupercharged Mustang Coupe/Vert Driver Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Carrollton Posts: 1,320	Mine is set up to run a 3" pleated filter but I can never find the 20x20 size. Loews and H/D have 20X25s. So we just run a 1' nice pleated filter. I get one that's $7 to $10, and change it every 3 to 4 weeks. __________________ Doug 90 LX Coupe 5.0 93 LX Vert 2.3 00 XLT F-150 4.6 00 Eddie Bauer Expy 5.4 ,

01-07-2008, 01:59 AM	#14
stephen4785 Lifer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Benbrook Posts: 6,153	Iv always grabbed the cheap white filters and not given it anymore thought than that. But my wife is having severe allergy problems so Iv decided to upgrade on the filters.

01-07-2008, 07:04 AM	#15
miketyler Lifer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cedar Hill, Tx Posts: 1,666	when we upgraded to a heat pump, we installed the AprilAire filter system. Still about the same area as before but is about a foot tall and removes like a large drawer. Is folded but increases filter area and gets replaced 1-2 years depending on how frequent the fan is run. __________________ 1972 Cuda 2003 Infinity G35 2001 1100 Shadow Sabre 1996 Sea-doo Challenger jet boat

01-07-2008, 08:19 AM	#16
MustangBilly/JunkYard302 Time Served Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 133	my home a/c system does o.k. with the cheapy's and if I put Expensive good ones the blower tends too work harder and tries too pull air around the filter and my a-coil dirty's up 8-12 months quiker between cleaning,so I change my cheapy's once a month.. __________________ Just a 302

01-09-2008, 10:12 PM	#19
wayne fontenot Time Served Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: denton tx Posts: 406	i have one that is like a K&N, you pull it out and hose it off. i came from LOCKE in denton. i can't remember the name of it right now __________________ _____________________________________________

01-10-2008, 03:32 AM	#20
Stephen bang yo head!! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8,624	dont use cheap filters if your coils are hard to get to.. later on down the road it will be more expensive replacing your blower . my ac/heat system is 23 years old and still going decent. dont go by the 30 day rule either. if your system runs a lot replace when they look dirty. in texas your ac runs all the damn time. i change mine every two weeks in the summer __________________ my shit always works sometimes

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