Electronic/Electrostatic air cleaners?

[Innovate1]

Have an electrostatic air cleaner in the current house and like it. Asked for an option for that on the quotes for the hvac system (ducted furnace and AC) and was quoted a Carrier Performance Air Purifier. It takes a filter "cartridge" that should be replaced every 6 - 9 months according to the manual. I looked up the filters (PGAPXCAR1620---A02). Amazon has a two pack for $249! A few other places have one for about $80 and up.

My current one has a thin metal mesh pre filter that is just hosed off with water. These filters are before the electrostatic section.

Does any manufacturer use the old style washable prefilters on the current production air cleaners? I realize they probably aren't quite as good at filtering but I don't have allergies and it works fine for me.

The standard (non electrostatic) system filters are also going to large, expensive pleated filters.

Seems like a lot of added maintenance cost.

 

[metlmunchr]

Haven't you heard? Its no longer desirable to have any money left at the end of the month. Instead, you should spend it all on installing grossly overpriced throw away mega filters everywhere possible because, if you don't, you're certain to inhale 3 dust particles measuring 1/1000th of a micron and then you'll just fall over and die.

Seriously, there's no reason I can imagine that a prefilter similar to your current one wouldn't work just fine. I haven't looked at a Carrier electrostatic in a long time, but for years they used either a permanent or a disposable filter ahead of the electrostatic section, and the actual electrostatic was all stainless steel construction and made in sections that would fit in a normal residential dishwasher for cleaning. Assuming the current design is similar, whatever prefilter should work.

FWIW, a company called Research Products came up with the woven metal washable filters back in the 50's. They still manufacture them and they are sold under the EZ Kleen name. AFAIK, they also still make a water soluble sticky substance you spray on the filter after cleaning that will enhance its filtering capability as well as making the filter much easier to thoroughly clean when you wash it down the next time.

 

[ddawg16]

Haven't you heard? Its no longer desirable to have any money left at the end of the month. Instead, you should spend it all on installing grossly overpriced throw away mega filters everywhere possible because, if you don't, you're certain to inhale 3 dust particles measuring 1/1000th of a micron and then you'll just fall over and die.

Seriously, there's no reason I can imagine that a prefilter similar to your current one wouldn't work just fine. I haven't looked at a Carrier electrostatic in a long time, but for years they used either a permanent or a disposable filter ahead of the electrostatic section, and the actual electrostatic was all stainless steel construction and made in sections that would fit in a normal residential dishwasher for cleaning. Assuming the current design is similar, whatever prefilter should work.

FWIW, a company called Research Products came up with the woven metal washable filters back in the 50's. They still manufacture them and they are sold under the EZ Kleen name. AFAIK, they also still make a water soluble sticky substance you spray on the filter after cleaning that will enhance its filtering capability as well as making the filter much easier to thoroughly clean when you wash it down the next time.

You mean, kinda like a K&N filter?

 

[metlmunchr]

You mean, kinda like a K&N filter?

Sorta like that, but the K&N stuff my buddy used on the filter in his dirt modified was a type of oil. The RP stuff dries more like an adhesive and doesn't leave anything oily on the filter.

 

[Innovate1]

Very helpful info. I looked up Research Products/EZ Klean. The mesh filters look just like the prefilter on the current air cleaner. Interesting the link to residential products takes you to AprilAire's site. Initially one of the buy now links went to a page not found Aprilaire page but I went back and it (or a similar link) goes to an AprilAire page of various metal mesh filters and the RP adhesive coating.

Didn't see any for this type air cleaner. Wondering if I get a Carrier or other brand air cleaner are these filters available for it and from where?

 

[metlmunchr]

Available in custom made sizes and thicknesses from

https://filterproducts.com/products...MIvJymyP2i4QIVQVcNCh1SIAJeEAAYASAAEgILQ_D_BwE

Pricing available on the page depending on dimensions. Note they are available in minimum quantity of 2 filters. Not a bad idea if you intend to use the adhesive coating as the filter should be thoroughly dry before spraying.

 

[Innovate1]

Available in custom made sizes and thicknesses from

https://filterproducts.com/products...MIvJymyP2i4QIVQVcNCh1SIAJeEAAYASAAEgILQ_D_BwE

Pricing available on the page depending on dimensions. Note they are available in minimum quantity of 2 filters. Not a bad idea if you intend to use the adhesive coating as the filter should be thoroughly dry before spraying.

That's awesome!

 

[brewchief]

Over the years I have replaced hundreds of furnaces, probably a third have a media or electronic filter on them. The furnaces that have had a good media filter on them since new will look like new inside the blower compartment and the A/C coil will be nice and clean. Furnaces with a simple 1" throw away filter are a mixed bag but most have a lot of dust and dirt in the blower compartment and will often have a layer of **** on the A/C coil. The electronic filters fall in between, more often then not there is a lot of dust and **** that has made it's way through the electronic filter, not as bad as a 1" filter but far worse then a good media filter that's properly mounted and sealed to the furnace.
One thing the electronic filters do better is tobacco smoke, that's not a huge deal for most people these days as very few people smoke in their house in my area.

If you don't have allergies I would suggest a simple media filter with a merv 10 filter as those are normally fairly cost effective, An Aprilaire 2410 or 2210(depending on what will fit your furnace best) is a bit nicer with a merv 13 filter. Both will protect your equipment and will normally last between 6 months and a year.

 

[bonneyman]

Back in the 80's and 90's electrostatic filtering was the only way to get like 90%+ efficiency. For people with allergies, etc it was the only way to go. Now with the energy scroungers in charge a filter that uses electricity (and has the metal-mesh pre filter the owner has to clean mechanically anyway) the powers that be have decided to go to high density disposable pleated filters.

If the electronic unit you have is working OK and you like it then keep it. Clean the pre-filter once a month, and clean the cells of the electronic main filter once a year. Mr Clean and water will work, just make sure it's completely dry before restoring power. Clena them and leave them out for a day is what I tell my customers.

 

[Innovate1]

I am keeping the unit I have, for now. I am asking about the unit for a new house.

I do see that there is some dust build up around the blower. Not terrible but some. So it doesn't catch everything.

 

[justinjoyal]

Over the years I have replaced hundreds of furnaces, probably a third have a media or electronic filter on them. The furnaces that have had a good media filter on them since new will look like new inside the blower compartment and the A/C coil will be nice and clean. Furnaces with a simple 1" throw away filter are a mixed bag but most have a lot of dust and dirt in the blower compartment and will often have a layer of **** on the A/C coil. The electronic filters fall in between, more often then not there is a lot of dust and **** that has made it's way through the electronic filter, not as bad as a 1" filter but far worse then a good media filter that's properly mounted and sealed to the furnace.

One thing the electronic filters do better is tobacco smoke, that's not a huge deal for most people these days as very few people smoke in their house in my area.



If you don't have allergies I would suggest a simple media filter with a merv 10 filter as those are normally fairly cost effective, An Aprilaire 2410 or 2210(depending on what will fit your furnace best) is a bit nicer with a merv 13 filter. Both will protect your equipment and will normally last between 6 months and a year.

x2

We see quite a lot of them on older systems when doing replacements and hardly ever reinstall them.

 

[bonneyman]

I am keeping the unit I have, for now. I am asking about the unit for a new house.

I do see that there is some dust build up around the blower. Not terrible but some. So it doesn't catch everything.

I'd go with a filter base installed under the unit (if it's a split system on ground level) and install the thickest pleated filter you can locally get. Seam around the filer with foam tape, change it once a month (1" or 2" thick) of every 3 months (4" or thicker), and spray the new filter with Endust when you install it.
If the evap coil starts out clean, take the cover off and clean it at the beginning of every summer with an approved cleaner. Use algae tabs in the condensate pan to reduce allergen growth. If you have a condensate pump, pour 1 cup of pine sol/ammonia into the p-trap when you do the filter so that the solution flows through the entire trap and piping, ending up in the pump base. That will kill any growth there.
Nothing is 100%, so, when you notice a dusty film building up on the blower time to remove and clean the blower wheel or pay someone to do it.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Go with with a good media filter. Electrostatic filters are iffy at best and they alll throw a LOT of ozone into the house.

Tommy

 

[86turbodsl]

I have a trane cleaneffects filter on my house. I don't know that it's any better than a regular filter. I clean it a couple times a year. The prefilter seems to grab more than anything that i can tell.

 

[Showkey]

So two choices:

Pleated filter........high maintain, high cost. Guess the old 1” $2.50 filter has been upgraded (up-sold) to the $50–$250 high efficiency pleated filters.

Electrostatic..........clean and reuse.......ultra low cost

 

[brewchief]

The big pleated filters aren't really that bad, a 16x25x5 merv 11 can be found for under 40$, replacing it once a year comes to 3.33 a month, twice a year is 6.66 a month. Either way they aren't much more then the basic 1" pleated filters if you change those monthly.

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