This Is Part-4 Of Our multi-part article about 75+ Ways To Lower Heating Costs — With Your Existing HVAC System.
You can implement these money-saving efforts at; No, Low, Modest, or Moderate Costs. Depending on the age of your home — these efforts could lower heating (and cooling) costs more than upgrading your HVAC.
TIP: Different Sections Of Our Multi-Part Article Address Various Components In Your Home — Each Section’s Title Advises What’s Covered.
To Reduce Heating/Cooling Costs — many articles suggest replacing the HVAC System with a more efficient one. That’s a High-Cost Solution — unless the furnace is less than 80% efficient (details below). And most furnaces (<80% efficient) wore out years ago and were replaced.
TIP: At The Beginning Of Part-1 — we detail how to determine your home’s gas furnace’s efficiency.
AND, depending on the age of your home — our suggestions may lower heating costs more than replacing the furnace. PLUS, our suggestions will make your home more comfortable, with fewer temperature variations throughout the home, and within rooms – as you get closer to outside walls. As an added benefit — additional insulation makes your home quieter inside. PLUS, these efforts also make your HVAC System last longer (because it will run less).
Part-4 Discusses Furnace Air Filters.
We Describe Which Households Are Best Served By; MERV-8, MERV-11, & MERV-13 Filters.
We Offer Recommendations For 3 Different Filter Brands For Each MERV Above.
AlsPlumbing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Al’s Plumbing provides full-service plumbing maintenance, repairs, and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. Additionally, Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters. We are near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX. We service all homes in southern Collin and northeast Dallas Counties with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your Plumbing. We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.
Image Source: CanStockPhoto
SHOWN: Dirty Furnace Filter-Left // New Filter -Right
TIP: Hold A Furnace Filter Up To The Light. If You Can’t Easily See Light Through It — It’s Time To Replace It.
What’s Discussed In Each Part:
Part-1: Locating & Sealing Air Leaks At Ceilings.
Click Here For Part 1: Part 1
Part-2: Locating & Sealing Air Leaks At Floors + Ductwork Sealing.
Click Here For Part 2: Part 2
Part-3: Burying HVAC Ductwork In Attic Insulation
Click Here For Part 3: Part-3
Part-4: Furnace Air Filter – Details. Disposable filters’ MERV Ratings // Which MERV Do You Need // Reusable/Washable Air Filter.
The 2 Most Important Things You Can Learn From This Article
1. The Dirtier A Furnace Filter Becomes — The More Air-Movement Resistance (through the filter) That Dirt Build-Up Causes.
Monthly Checking & Changing (as needed) Your Furnace Filter
A. Lowers Heating & Cooling Costs — Because A Dirty / Clogged Filter Causes The HVAC System To Run Longer & Harder.
B. Makes Your HVAC System Last Longer — Because It Runs Less.
C. Prevents Damage To HVAC System — Caused By Dirty Filters.
Full Details Are Within This Article.
——————-
2. Furnace Filters With More Pleats Create Less Air-Movement Resistance (through the filter) — Than Filters With Fewer Pleats.
A. Less Air-Movement Resistance = Your Furnace Runs Less — Because Air Passes Through Air Filters (with more pleats) More Easily.
B. This Lowers Heating & Cooling Costs PLUS The HVAC System Will Last Longer.
C. Filters With More Pleats Last Longer.
Full Details Are Within This Article.
This (20x25x1) Furnace Filter Has 19 Pleats.
This (20x25x1) Furnace Filter Has 62 Pleats.
Air Passes Through This Filter 4.5 Times More Easily Than The Filter Above It.
Full Details Are Within This Article.
Why Checking / Replacing (as needed) A Dirty Furnace Filter Is So Important
A Dirty Furnace Filter Restricts Airflow Through The Furnace & Ductwork.
If HVAC System Air-Flow Through The Furnace & Ductwork Is Restricted:
- The System must run longer & harder to heat & cool your home.
- This increases heating & cooling costs.
- Your home will be less comfortable — with hold & cold areas.
- This wears the HVAC System out sooner.
Image Source: DreamsTime
Shown: Furnace Heat Exchanger
- Restricted airflow can cause the Furnace To Overheat.
- If this occurs, the furnace will shut down until it cools.
- Recurring overheating will prematurely crack the heat exchanger (photo above).
- The heat exchanger is what keeps Indoor Household Air & Combustion Exhaust separate.
- A cracked heat exchanger can allow carbon monoxide (CO) to mix with the home’s indoor air.
- When the heat exchanger cracks — in nearly all cases, the furnace must be replaced.
- Why? If the furnace is older than 5 years — the cost to replace its heat exchanger is near to the cost of a replacement furnace.
Click Here To See A Furnace Heat Exchanger That’s Cracked: Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger
(If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser:) https://www.google.com/search?q=cracked+furnace+heat+exchanger&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiTwqOZ1Mn6AhXblWoFHUPmBYAQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1097&bih=535&dpr=1.75#imgrc=v9o1992y-qasOM
A Dirty Furnace Filter Restricts Airflow Through The A/C’s Indoor Cooling Coil.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Shown: Frozen Central A/C Outdoor Unit
- During summer, restricted air-flow can cause a Frozen Indoor Cooling Coil. Left long enough — this can cause the Outdoor Unit to freeze too.
- A frozen cooling coil blocks some to all the airflow through the furnace.
- If the outdoor unit freezes, it’s likely it’s damaged.
- A repair would require a new compressor.
- If the outside unit is more than 5 years old, the cost to replace the compressor is near the cost to replace the outside unit.
Click On This Link To See A Frozen A/C Cooling Coil: Frozen Central A/C Indoor Cooling Coil
(If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser:) https://www.google.com/search?q=frozen+ac+evaporator+coil&sxsrf=ALiCzsYo7Lm04hAit0hs6BGZStHpvPqgSg:1664809269080&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1o-joqcT6AhVBl2oFHZYDCOsQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1024&bih=502&dpr=1.88#imgrc=ykKH3MeaIDirPM
The Top Causes Of HVAC System Air-Flow Restriction(s)
#1 Reason: Dirty Furnace Air Filter.
#2 Reason: Air filters with fewer pleats.
#3 Reason: Higher MERV Filter Than The Household Needs (details below).
TIPS:
- MERV Rating Is Determined By The Size Of The Holes/Pores Within The Filter Material.
- The Higher The MERV — The Smaller The Airborne Particles It Removes (details within this article).
- The Higher The MERV — The More Air Restriction The Filter Creates.
- The More Airflow-Restriction Your Filter Creates: 1. The Higher Your Heating & Cooling Bills Will Be. 2. The Faster The HVAC System Wears out (because it must run longer & harder).
- Filters With More Pleats Create Less Air Restriction.
- The Higher The MERV — The More Often The Filter Must Be Replaced.
- Filters With More Pleats Last Longer.
- The Higher MERV Filter You Desire — The More Important It Is The Use Filters With Lots Of Pleats.
- 3M (brand) Filtrete Filters Have One Of The Highest Pleats Counts Available Today.
4 Ways To Reduce Air Movement Resistance Caused By The Filter: 1. Lower MERV, 2. Filter With More Pleats. 3. 4″ vrs 1″ Filter, 4. Larger Filter (outside dimensions).
Image Source: CanStockPhoto
SHOWN: Dirty Furnace Filter Compared To Clean Filter
TIP: To Make Checking The Fitler Easier To Remember — Check it on the 1st day of each month.
TIP: Hold The Filter Up To The Light. If You Can’t Easily See Light Through The Filter — Replace The Filter.
TIP: If You Can Still See Light Through The Air Filter: To Increase Airflow — Vacuum The Dirty Side Of The Filter With A Vacuum Cleaner’s Crevice Tool.
Vacuum Shown: BISSELL (brand) CleanView (model) Modestly-Priced Upright Vacuum. Rated 4.5 / 5 (max) — With 1,100 Reviews.
Click On Image To: View Product, Read Details about the vacuum, or Purchase From Amazon.com
This Website Earns From Qualifying Purchases
Image Source: Shutterstock
Shown: Air Filter That Buckled (Along The Edge). WhenBuckled — Air Bypasses The Filter
- If a disposable air filter becomes too clogged — it buckles and air will bypass it.
- Then over time — unfiltered air clogs the A/C Cooling Coil + fouls all the ductwork.
How Often A Furnace Air Filter Must Be Replaced Depends On Household Composition
- The Filter’s MERV. The higher the MERV, the more often the filter must be replaced.
- The number of pleats a filter has. The more pleats — the better. The more pleats the filter has, the longer it lasts.
- More pleats = more filter material surface-area. This makes the filter last longer (more details later in this article).
- How airtight the home is.
- TIP: Quickly accumulating dust on your furniture is a sign that your home leaks a lot of air.
- TIP: Our Part-1 & Part-2 discuss sealing air leaks at ceilings & floors.
- Outdoor temps — the colder / hotter it is outdoors — the more the HVAC System runs.
- The number of people living in the home.
- Smokers present.
- Amount of cooking.
- Shedding pets.
- Time of year — Allergy Season(s) are when outdoor plants are creating lots of allergens.
- Allery Season varies by location within the U.S.
Click Here To See A Chart Of The U.S. Locations & Times Of The Year When Allergies Are High: Allergy Seasons By Location & Time Of Year
(If Link Doesn’t Work, Copy This Into Your Browser: https://www.ZYRTEC.com/allergy-guide/understanding-allergies/types/pollen-by-season)
TIP: How To Easily Increase A Disposable Furnace Air Filter’s Effectiveness
TIP: A lower MERV air filter, sprayed with Endust — may meet your needs as well as a higher MERV filter.
TIP: Spraying Endust on any air filter will increase its filtering effectiveness.
TIP: Endust comes in 1. Lemon Scent & 2. UNscented.
Click On Image To: View Product, Read Details, and Purchase From Amazon.com
This Website Earns From Qualifying Purchases
Click On Image To: View Product, Read Details, and Purchase From Amazon.com
This Website Earns From Qualifying Purchases
To Skip This Section — Scroll Down To The Next Double Lines
TIP: Where Space Permits — This Device Converts From A 1″ Air Filter TO A 4″ Air Filter.
Air Passes Through A 4″ Air Filter Up To 4 Times More Easily Than A 1″ Filter.
TIP: This Installs Between The Furnance And Where The Ductwork Attaches To The Furnace (see 2nd photo below).
SHOWN: 4″ Furnace Filter Housing.
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): $140. Price Includes 2 MERV-11 Disposable Filters.
TIPS:
- This upgrade can be added where space permits.
- This requires modifications to the ductwork.
- The installation is best left to professionals.
SHOWN: This 1″ Furnace Filter HVAC System Is A Great Candidate To Be Upgraded To A 4″.
Image Source: Shutterstock
SHOWN: Just to the left of the furnace, you can see the existing 1″ Filter Slot.
Converting From A 1″ Air Filter TO A 4″ Air Filter System
Increases The Surface-Area Of Filter-Media.
More Surface-Area Reduces The Amount Of Air-Movement Resistance Created By A Furnace Filter.
Air-Resistance Through A 1-Inch Air Filter & A 4-Inch Air Filter (the same brand)
- A 20×20 inch X 1-inch (thick) Pleated filter has 4.7 square feet of surface-area.
- A 20×20 inch X 4-inch (thick) Pleated filter has 15 square feet surface-area.
- These are the same filter brand. The 4-inch (thick) furnace filter has over 3 times as much surface-area as the 1″ filter.
Why Some More Expensive Filters — Are The Best Value
Because Air-Filter Brands Are Not Created Equal.
More Pleats = Less Airflow Restriction + Longer Lasting Filter.
Number Of Pleats = 62 Air Permeability Score = 6.4 (the higher this score the better).
Furnace Filter Air Permeability Definition: How easily air passes through the filter.
Image Source: Amazon.com
SHOWN: 3M (brand) MPR 2200 / MERV-13.
Price = $21.50 each (in the 6-Pack as shown)
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Image Source: Amazon.com
SHOWN: Aerostar (brand) MERV-13.
Price = $10.50 each (in the 4-Pack as shown)
Number Of Pleats (Higher Is Better)
- The 1″ 3M (brand) MPR 2200 / MERV-13 filter has 62 pleats. Priced at $21.50 ea.
- The 1″ Aerostar (brand) / MERV-13 filter — has 19 pleats. Priced at $10.50 ea.
- For the same filter size — the 3M filter has +325% more filter material surface-area (than the Kirkland).
TIP: With +325% more filter-material surface-area — the 3M filter lasts up to 3 times longer than the Aerostar.
Number Of Pleats Source: https://filterstudy.com/3m-filtrete-mpr-2200-ultrafine-particle-reduction-air-filter/
Air Permeability Score (Higher Is Better)
- 6.4 3M Filtrete MERV-13
- 1.4 Aerostar MERV13
- The Air Permeability Score of the 3M filter is +450% better / higher than the Aerostar. **
TIP: With +450% better air permeability — Air passes through the 3M (brand) filter 4.5 times more easily than the Aerostar (brand) Filter.
TIP: The Higher A Furnace Filter’s Air Permeability Score — The Lower The Air-Movement Resistance The Filter Creates For The HVAC System. **
TIP: Higher Permeability Score Air Filters Decrease Heating & Cooling Costs + The HVAC System Lasts Longer (because it doesn’t have to run as much). **
** Air Permeability Score Source: https://filterstudy.com/allergyzone-merv-12-allergen-trapping-hvac-furnace-1-inch-air-filter/
Which MERV Rating Do You Need?
TIP: MERV Rating Is Determined By The Size Of The Holes/Pores Within The Filter Material.
TIP: The Higher A Filter’s MERV — The Smaller The Airborne Particles It Removes (details within this article).
TIP: The Higher A Filter’s MERV — The More Air Restriction The Filter Creates.
TIP: The Higher A Filter’s MERV — The Sooner It Must Be Replaced.
MERV stands for: “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value”. It indicates the filtration ability of the filter — and makes selections among different filters easier.
MERV Ranges From 1 (lowest) to 20 (highest) filtration.
MERV-1 to 4 only protects the furnace & ductwork from large dust particles. They offer no benefit to people.
MERV-5 to 13 Meets Household Needs.
MERV-16 to 20 are for Healthcare Facilities and Manufacturing Facilities’ cleanrooms.
Minimum MERV Air Filter — For Common Household Pollutants
MERV-8: traps household dust. MERV-8 captures up to 70% of all large airborne dust particles.
MERV-11 traps pet dander. Dander is what causes pet allergies for people. Shedding pets shed a lot of dander. Non-shedding dogs produce less.
MERV-13 traps cigarette smoke.
+ CARBON helps reduce odors.
To Skip This Section — Scroll Down To The Next Double Lines
Within This Section Are In-Depth Details About The Filtration Provided By Various MERV Ratings
Air Filter MERV Rating & Filtering Efficiency — DETAILS
MERV Rating Is Determined By The Size Of The Holes/Pores Within The Filter Material.
The Higher The MERV — The Smaller The Airborne Particles It Removes (details within this article).
The Higher The MERV — The More Air Restriction The Filter Creates.
TIP: The Higher The MERV You Desire — The More Important It Is To Buy Filters With High Pleats Counts.
TIP: The Diameter Of A Human Hair measures 80-100 micrometers
MERV 1-4 trap less than 20% of airborne particles sized 3-10 micrometers. These filters protect the furnace — they don’t improve indoor air quality.
MERV 5-7 traps 20–50% of particles up to 3-10 micrometers + 0% < 1-3 micrometers.
—
MERV 8 traps 70% up to 3 micrometers + 20% < 1-3 micrometers.
MERV 9 75% + 35%
MERV 10 80% + 50%
MERV 11 85% + 65% + 20% .3 – 1.0 micrometers.
MERV 12 90% + 80% + 35%
MERV 13 75% + 90% + 95% TIP: MERV-13 is required for smokers & homes with a lot of cooking. TIP: Carbon Filters reduce odor.
TIP: MERV 14-20 Are For Hospitals & Industrial Applications (such as “clean rooms”). They are too high for residential furnaces.
TIP: Residential furnace blower fans aren’t powerful enough to accommodate the air-movement restriction created by MERV 14-20 filters.
MERV 14 95% + 90% + 85%
MERV 15 95% + 95% + 95%
Sources:
- https://www.secondnature.com
- https://www.texairfilters.com/comparing-filters-for-resistance-and-efficiency/
MERV-8 Air Filter
TIP: MERV-8 Is Recommended For; Non-Smoking Households, With 0-1 Dog or Cat, & Few Issues From Allergies.
TIP: If You Often Smell Odors When You Enter Your Home From Outdoors — Consider A “+ Carbon” Filter.
3M Says: 3M Filtrete Filters (Rated at 800-1200) include Allergen Defense™.
Allergen Defense™ attracts & captures bacteria and airborne particles that may carry viruses.
Source: https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/filtrete/about-us/the-science/#:
Higher Priced
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 4-Pack $51. $12.75 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 4-Pack $46. $11.50 each.
Water Gauge (wg) Source: https://www.texairfilters.com/comparing-filters-for-resistance-and-efficiency/
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Lower Priced
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 6-Pack $64. $10.75 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $61. $10.15 each.
.wg Source: https://rp-fedder-industrial.myshopify.com/products/pleated-air-filter-aerostar-series-400-merv-8
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MERV-8 + CARBON
TIP: If You Smell Odors When You Enter Your Home From Outdoors — Consider A + Carbon Filter. Carbon Reduces Odors. A Carbon Filter is the 3rd in this section.
TIP: “wg” is the Water Gauge reading for a filter (lower is better). It’s another indicator of how much air restriction a filter creates.
Nordic MERV 8 + CARBON (reduces odors) .18 wg when new (adding carbon increases air resistance). Electrostatically Charged.
Amazon Buyer’s Rating: 4.7 / 5 (max) — With 4,500 Rated As Of Oct. 2022
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 6-Pack $80. $13.50 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $76. $12.75 each.
MERV-11 Air Filter
TIP: MERV-11 Is The Minimum Needed For; Non-Smoking Homes, With 1 Shedding Dog or Cat, And/Or Those With Allergies.
TIP: If You Smell Odors When You Enter Your Home From Outdoors — Consider A “+ Carbon” Filter. Carbon Reduces Odors. A Carbon Filter is the 3rd in this section.
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NOTE: ALL Disposable Filters Shown Are Electrostatically Charged (improves filtering ability).
Higher Priced
Amazon Buyer’s Rating: 5 / 5 (max) — 67,750 Rated As Of Oct. 2022
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 6-Pack $80.50. $13.50 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 4-Pack $72.50. $12.00 each.
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Consumers Reports Highest Rated 1-Inch Filters Includes: 3M Filtrete 1500 — MERV-12.
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 6-Pack $109.50. $18.25 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $98.10. $16.35 each.
TIP: The MERV-12 (shown here) is $18.25. The MERV-11 (we suggested above) is $13.50.
TIP: We suggest the 3M’s MERV-11 Because: It’s notably less expensive — with minimally less filtration.
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Lower Priced
TIP: “wg” is the Water Gauge reading for a filter (lower is better). It’s another indicator of how much air restriction a filter creates.
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 6-Pack $55. $9.25 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $52.50. $8.75 each.
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MERV-12 + CARBON Note: MERV-11 Not Available
Nordic MERV 8 + CARBON (reduces odors) .24 wg (adding carbon increases air resistance).
TIP: “wg” is the Water Gauge reading for a filter (lower is better). It’s another indicator of how much air restriction a filter creates.
Amazon Buyer’s Rating: 4.7 / 5 (max) — With 4,500 Rated As Of Oct. 2022
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 6-Pack $55. $9.15 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $52.50. $8.75 each.
MERV-13 Air Filter
TIP: MERV-13 Is The Minimum Needed For; Smoking Households, Lots Of Cooking, With 2+ Shedding Pets, And Those With Lots Of Allergies.
TIP: If You Smell Odors When You Enter Your Home From Outdoors — Consider A + Carbon Filter. Carbon Reduces Odors. A Carbon Filter is the 3rd in this section.
—————
Consumers Reports Highest Rated 1-Inch Filters Includes: 3M Filtrete 1900 — MERV-13.
Note: CR rated a total of 45 Furnace Filters. You Must Be A Paid Subscriber To Read Their Report.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/furnace-filters-air-conditioner-filters-air-filters/best-air-filters-for-furnace-and-central-ac-a7407356325/
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Higher Priced
TIP: “wg” is the Water Gauge reading for a filter (lower is better). It’s another indicator of how much air restriction a filter creates.
Amazon Buyer’s Rating: 5 / 5 (max) — With 17,000 Rated As Of Oct. 2022
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price: (20x25x1) 6-Pack $130. $21.50 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $117. $19.50 each.
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Lower Priced
TIP: “wg” is the Water Gauge reading for a filter (lower is better). It’s another indicator of how much air restriction a filter creates.
The Aerostar MERV-13 Is Less Expensive than the Filtrete MERV-13 — BUT The Filtrete Performed Better In Both (less) Airflow Resistance & And (better) Filtration.
Source: https://filterstudy.com/aerostar-merv-13-pleated-air-filter/
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
Amazon.com Price: 6-Pack $64. $10.75 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $61. $10.15 each.
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MERV-13 + CARBON
Nordic MERV 8 + CARBON (reduces odors).
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): 6-Pack $93. $15.50 each.
TIP: Amazon Subscribe & Save Price: 6-Pack $88. $14.50 each.
Reusable/Washable Air Filter
There Are Many Types of Reusable/Washable Furnace Air Filters.
We Discuss Only This One.
WHY?
1. Its MERV-11 Rating Is Higher Than Most Reusables (MERV-8).
2. Its Fabric Filter Material — Is Most Similar To Disposable Air Filters.
3. It Has A Stellar Amazon Buyers Reviews History (details below).
4. It’s Less Expensive Than Some Reusables.
5. It’s Manufactured By K&N Filters — They’re Known For Very High-Quality Reusable Automotive Air Filters.
Amazon’s Web Page Says: Since 1969, K&N has made reusable air filters for cars & trucks. K&N’s washable, reusable MERV-11 HVAC air filter. Made from a Pleated Synthetic Fabric. Simply clean and reinstall as needed. This website’s author uses K&N car air filters.
NOTE: These Insert In The Same Slot As Disposable Air Filters.
Amazon Buyer’s Rating: 4.7 / 5 (max) — With 4,650 Rated As Of Oct. 2022
TIP: It Is The Most Similar To Disposable Air Filters.
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Amazon.com Price (20x25x1): $40.
To Clean: 1. Spray With K&N’s Filter Cleaner & 2. Rinse with a garden hose or a hand-held shower sprayer.
K & N Air Filter Cleaner
Amazon Buyer’s Rating: 4.6 / 5 (max) — With 3,650 Rated As Of Oct. 2022
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com. Assorted sizes are available on the same page.
This Website Earns From Qualified Purchases.
Amazon.com Price: $14. TIP: 1 bottle will clean the filter several times.
Another Type Of Air Filtration System
Whole-House, Electronic Air Cleaner
Above Is An Electronic Air Cleaner.
- These Are Connected To Electricity
- These require modifications to the ductwork connected to directly to the furnace.
- Installation is best left to professionals.
They Have Up 4 Stages:
- 1. Pre-Filter. This has multiple layers of aluminum-mesh, inside an aluminum frame.
TIP: These layers of mesh get dirty quickly. They must be checked monthly — and cleaned as needed.
- 2. Ionizer — This Stage creates a Positive-Charge on airborne particles as they pass through.
- 3. Collector-Plates Unit(s) These have both positively & negatively charged metal plates. Positive Plates repel airborne particles. Negative Plates attract them.
This Process Causes Airborne Particles To Stick To The Negative Plates.
- 4. Post-Filter is added to the back side (in some models).
- 5. Some Units Also Include A Carbon Filter — To Remove Odors.
TIP: When Kept Clean: Whole-House, Electronic Air Cleaners — Create Little Air Flow Reduction.
This YouTube Video Demonstrates How To Clean A Whole-House, Electronic Air Cleaner.
This Video Recommends Cleaning Every 3 Months.
Source: YouTube Embedded Video
Copy The Link Below Into Your Browser For An Article About Maintaining Electronic Air Cleaners:
https://activerain.com/blogsview/3522802/so-you-have-an-electronic-air-cleaner—is-it-doing-anything-
TIP: This article shows several photos of dirty electronic air cleaner media.
This Was Part-4 Of Our multi-part article about 75+ Ways To Lower Heating Costs — With Your Existing HVAC System. Part-4 Discussed Furnace Air Filters.
You can implement these money-saving efforts at; No, Low, Modest, or Moderate Costs. Depending on the age of your home — these efforts could lower heating (and cooling) costs more than upgrading your HVAC.
AlsPlumbing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Al’s Plumbing provides full-service plumbing maintenance, repairs, and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. Additionally, Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters. We are near your home in northeast Dallas, TX; Richardson, TX; and Garland, TX. We service all homes in southern Collin and northeast Dallas Counties with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your Plumbing. We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.