HVAC Filter Housing

Rheem air handler in attic came with stock reusable air filter. Well it's been in place for 1+ year and not a spec of dirt on it. Surely its letting everything pass except the occassional rock (just joking). In any case the plastic filter screen frame measures 16" (high) x 21" (wide). I bought a

16x20x1 filter but it doesn't really fit. Too small, leans forward toward coils and not wide enough. I understand that I may need a filter housing. Where can I mail order or purchase such a housing. Rheem has got to have what I need but can't find it.

Thanks,

Russ

Reply to
GSRS
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Best thing to do is replace your return grill with a filter grill and then you wouldn't have to have (or worry about!) the filter in the air handler.

They aren't that expensive and a lot easier than messing with going into the attic.....

Reply to
Dr. Hardcrab

This is Turtle.

Like Hard crab said just get you a return air filter grill and put it where the rtetuirn air comes into the under side of the furnace through the wall.

Second. get you a piece of of 1" X 1" square molding used on side area for flooring edges and tape it to the 16" side of the paper filter and it will fill in the 1" gape letting the air get by.

Third call any professional hvac service company and get a exact size warehouse or supplier that orders exact size paper filter to get any exact size you want. You will or can order paper or rewashiable type filters in any exact side you want. Now you will pay about $3.00 a piece of the most odd ball size that you could ever order.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

You should get a look at that coil to see if it has any buildup you need cleaned. Air Bear is a good positive sealing filter . Dirt buildup on the coil will cost alot more in the long run than a quality filter, in lost eficiency, cleaning of coil, house cleaning, and breathing cleaner air and dirty ducts collecting crap. They may be 400 or so installed but it is worth it.

Reply to
m Ransley

Good suggestion, but in addition to the main return in the upstairs hall (this is a zone dedicated to floor 2) I have 3 other smaller returns in bedrooms.

Reply to
GSRS

Another good suggestion. What I did tonight is take a 16x25x1 filter and trimmed it down to about 22" wide. Fits in there good top to bottom and now width wide. Should be interesting to see what the pleated filter captures vs the factory grill that was still clean after two seasons. In the mean time I'll keep my eye out for a 16x21x1 or 16x22x1 filter.

Reply to
GSRS

Coil looks ok. But this is exactly why I wanted to take the factory screen out and put in something that really going to catch the small size particles that are going to foul up the coil.

See my earlier reply, I cut down a wider pleated filter to fit in the channel. Better than what was there.

Russ

Reply to
GSRS

This is Turtle.

The blue paper filter bought at walmart and the screen door looking filter that comes in a Rheem units are the same filtration ability at 50%. That means both will only stop only 50% of the trash going through it. If you want filtered air you need to get up to a 70%+ filtration rate to say you have filtered air. The

50% filers are only for Rocks, Toys, Hair, and dust puppys. Dirty will still travel on through.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

Thanks again for the input. The pleated filter I put in is a 3m that is suppossed to get down in the particulate size. I didn't get the "blue" fiber filter. Used them before and they don't capture much at all.

Thanks again.

Russ

Reply to
GSRS

This is Turtle.

I think the 3M types are on the 80+% area or better. Anything with a 80%+ rating is really all a fellow would want unless you was in a Hospital and wanted to cut everything out.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE
3Ms are good at % cleaning but Ive heard and beleive that because of their small sq ft area they can reduce airflow. Thats where a 4" pleated is needed for good airflow.
Reply to
m Ransley

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