HVAC filter recommendations

It must be that time of year because this topic keeps coming up so... here we go again. I moved in the last 2 months into a home with an HVAC system (York heat pump system). This is my first experience with a forced air system, my previous homes were all electric (baseboard & ceiling) heat. (I live in the southwest Virginia mountains.) It appears as if the system installed in my new home has a non-standard air filter. It is 30x30x1 which I cannot find in any stores (even a local HVAC place). Because of this and the potential future problems of obtaining filters I was looking at these permanent, washable filters. I'm looking for recommendations and experiences.

I like the sounds of this Boair 5-stage filter

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but I'm sure there are many other, similar filters. So... edcuate me!!! Thanks.

--Greg

Reply to
Greg Kroll
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Educate you , go read consumer reports

Reply to
mark Ransley

God that's a great recommendation. Thanks so much for taking the time to supply us with that wisp of wisdom.

--Greg

Reply to
Greg Kroll

I use the 3M Filtrete filters and like them very well. I'm fortunate in that I can find my size locally. However, there is a place online that will supply custom sizes, including yours, in cases of 6 or 12. These are not reusable filters, but they did rate highly in the recent Consumers Reports evaluation of furnace filters. Can't say anything about the company selling them because I haven't done business with them myself, but I do recommend the 3M filters:

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HellT

Reply to
Hell Toupee

The re-usable filters are generally worthless. Find a place that can get you a custom size in a 3M Filtrete in whatever style you deem necessary for your situation.

Reply to
Brad

Look greg, read the article, I like paper you may want electrostatic, or cost may be an issue, So i am correct, By the way, educate your self lazy ass

Reply to
mark Ransley

Try the key to the right of the comma once in a while.

Reply to
Brad

If you don't want to have a DISCUSSION get off the damn internet usenet

Reply to
Chris Schmelzer

I don't have the size filter you have but the HVAC guy that serviced my A/C last summer said the cheap fiberglass filters were the worst thing you could use.

That being said he was trying to figure out why my a/c wasn't working so when he opened the area where the "A" coil was I expected to see it filthy with dirt, it was clean.

I used to use the cheap fiberglass filters, now I use the pleated type there good for 3 months ,and not too expensive if you get them on sale.

Tom

Reply to
tflfb

15-year HVAC tech here, at your service.

York heat pump?? Sheesh. Filters are going to be the LEAST of your problems. ;->

For the record, 30x30x1 is an unusual size, but should be available in a

*good* HVAC supplier. I'm not from your area, so I can't recommend anything... check your phone book under "sheet metal suppliers" or "ductwork". 1" fiberglass is fine, and a case of 12 shouldn't cost you more than $30 or so. If you go for the fancy-looking pleated ones, you'll spend alot more and change them more often. They trap finer particulate, but won't help remove allergens, smoke, or odors. By "permanent washable", I assume you mean the "electrostatic" types sold in home centers. A waste of money, IMO. I use disposable, 1" fiberglass in my forced air system. I change them whenever they get dirty... sometimes 6 or 7 times a year, all depends on use. Good luck.
Reply to
C.J.

If you order them a case at a time a good HVAC dealer can special order any size you need. I would recommend a cheap pleated paper filter. The fiberglass mesh filters are to course, and miss allot of dust, which in turn gets lodged in your airconditioning coil! Greg

Reply to
Greg O

Depending on what model York you have, and how it was installed, you got a good one. Those that bitch about York products normally are not well versed with the systems, and would like you to think they are crap. The ONLY systems that lasted in the deserts of CA were York...so feel good about what you have...it is why I sell, and own them.

Just down below you guys..not that it matters..but the system will hold up well in this climate.

I am gonna ask dumb question..cause we cant see it from here.....did they leave the air filter door on the air handler for the filter? If so, and its over a 3 ton unit, they are odd sized.

Unless your duct work was set up for the higher static pressure here..dont... Check with your local Johnstone supply...there are a couple up your way, and if they dont have it, check with Virginia Air Supply. They normally wont sell to a homeowner, but its worth a shot as they are your local York supplier here in the South.

Reply to
CBHvac

Thanks a million for the advice. I have a the local York dealer in my town coming tomorrow to inspect it. I found out yesterday they were the ones that installed it and they told me they hadn't been out to service it since

1998? Shessh! The previous owner was obviously NOT into preventative maintenance (as I can attest to with other maintenance chores I've had to do since moving in). I'll probably get them to order me a case of the filters.

CBHvac, thanks for the kind words, I'm glad to hear you're happy with the York brand. To answer your question about the "air filter door" it may be a bit more complictaed than that. The air filter is inserted through a slot at the bottom of the air handler and is them covered by a strip of heavy duty sheet metal (I guess that's what it is). There is no "door. On the other side of this slot is the return air ducting. The complicated part is that the whole system is also connected to solar panels (and a heat sink/heat storage area) that make up the entire south side of the house. The solar system is currently not working but I had a "solar specialist" out

2 weeks ago and he thinks we can get this working at minimal cost (need some new heat sensors and maybe a blower motor [he's going to try replacing the capacitor first] and if that doesn't work than the whole blower).

Thanks again for the supplier names and advice.

--Greg

Reply to
Greg

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