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Heatpump air filter question

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threeputt

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I just had a Goodman 2.5 ton heat pump installed in my 1200 sf home , 14 seer instead of 10 like the old unit

They told us to use the cheap filters and I do understand the theory on air flow.

My problem is I got terrible allergies and we have a shedding dog in our home. Everytime now when this new system turns on I get plugged up and sneezing .

These filters that I used in the past did restrict the air flow some but I had no issues with allergies using them. They recommended no pleated filters . The ones we always used were FPR 4 every what that means. I just need something better than the dollar filter we are using now. They have written on it

Will it hurt this system and shorten the life of it if I use the better filters that I change every 3 months instead of the cheap ones I change each month ?

The old heat pump made it many years using these Basic Household Pleated FPR 4 Air Filter . It was installed in 2001 I think and I know since we got our dog 12 years ago we used the step better filters that are pleated.


Thanks for any tips on what is the best to use for someone that does suffer like me.
 
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LS6 Tommy

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Any pleated filter will have more surface area than the fiberglass cheepos. As long as you don't go with some crazy high MERV rating, reduce the CFM rating or physical size of the filter you should be OK.

Tommy
 
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threeputt

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LS6 Tommy said:
Any pleated filter will have more surface area than the fiberglass cheepos. As long as you don't go with some crazy high MERV rating, reduce the CFM rating or physical size of the filter you should be OK.

Tommy
Click to expand...
Thanks, We are using a MERV 4 now ( pleated) and plan on changing it every month. Have thought about going with a little higher but will wait and see. Again, thanks
 
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threeputt

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SALIV8 said:
A merv 8 is standard in a commercial setting, I don’t think residential would be different.
Click to expand...
I would think commercial systems have more powerful fan motors but I don't know that for a fact. I am installing a MERV 8 filter today and see how much air flow comes out of vents. If all is well then I will just change them each month or every how often they get dirty.
 
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larry4406

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threeputt said:
Anyone ever used one of these ?
Nu-Calgon 4900-20 - iWave-R Self-Cleaning Bi-Polar Ionization ION Generator
Click to expand...

I put one in.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443169

Verdict still out. I can confidently state that my wallet is lighter and the green light is still on.

I still have my sinus/ear issues. I think the filters are loading up more than usual, but then again, everyone is stuck at home so the air borne **** generation is likely increased. Oddly our grocery bills are up as well.
 
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American Locomotive

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Yup, if you want really good filtration, you need have your system modified to take the super thick "cabinet" filters. Really these systems should come with those filter boxes stock.
 
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threeputt

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The jury is still out on this thing.

I was almost talked into buying one but haven't yet . I just can't see how this $$$$ iwave would help all that much. I have no way telling other than from people who have tried it and know for sure it works.

I do understand how things work. Make something new and mark the price sky high so people think it works. Make it cheap and nobody will buy it.

Thanks for the feedback. Hope to hear more.
 
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yeldogt

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You want one of the 4 or 5 " pleated filters .... merv 11. The filter is really for the equipment -- you want to protect the heat exchanger. But, the merv 11 is a good compromise.

Studies I have seen point more to the HVAC system disturbing dust in a room vs being able to really filter a homes air. To do that you need a lot more CFM.

That's where HEPA vacuum cleaners and central vacuums excel -- they don't redistribute the dust
 
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threeputt

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yeldogt said:
You want one of the 4 or 5 " pleated filters .... merv 11. The filter is really for the equipment -- you want to protect the heat exchanger. But, the merv 11 is a good compromise.

Studies I have seen point more to the HVAC system disturbing dust in a room vs being able to really filter a homes air. To do that you need a lot more CFM.

That's where HEPA vacuum cleaners and central vacuums excel -- they don't redistribute the dust
Click to expand...
The people who installed it said not to install pleated filters. They must not allergies . Said those would trash my new system. Too much restriction I was told.
I didn't see any difference in air flow from vent on the one I installed Wednesday. MERV 8 but its not the thick one you mentioned. I will see if I can find one of those.
 
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American Locomotive

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threeputt said:
The people who installed it said not to install pleated filters. They must not allergies . Said those would trash my new system. Too much restriction I was told.
I didn't see any difference in air flow from vent on the one I installed Wednesday. MERV 8 but its not the thick one you mentioned. I will see if I can find one of those.
Click to expand...
The standard 1" thick pleated filters can starve some systems of air - especially when they start to plug with dust.

The 4"+ thick pleated filters have a tremendous amount of surface area and can flow a ton of air even while a bit dusty.
 
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99LeCouch

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The basic pleated filters won't restrict airflow too much. The "super allergy" ones will.

The point of the filter is to protect the blower, fan, heat exchanger, and A-coil. Not to filter the house air. Get a dedicated HEPA air filter for that. Some even duct into the existing ductwork in a bypass configuration, like this example: https://www.heatandcool.com/clean-comfort-whole-house-320-cfm-hepa-duct-mount-air-purifier.html Use the basic filter to protect the furnace, and the HEPA system filters the house air without making the furnace blower stressed.
 
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Rusty Fords

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New Member first post: over 26 years HVAC trade, 29 years and counting US Coast Guard mostly reserve. Joined the Forum mainly for the info on these Barndominiums and thought I might be able to help anyone with HVAC questions.

I owned my own HVAC business for 8 years got tired of running 6-7 days, 14-18 hour days. When I installed a new furnace for a customer most of the time I would leave a case of pleated air filters for them.

The only reason I can think of a company would tell you to only put the cheap filter in would be they are worried about proper air flow. If the ductwork was designed for a 2.5 ton H/P this should never be an issue. A 2.5 ton H/P or A/C unit should have in the neighborhood of 1000 CFM (400/ton).
Do you know what size your old H/P was?
What size of air filter are you currently using?

Most of your good supply houses supply a Merv 8 pleated as their min efficiency air filter. NEVER cheat yourself out of a good air filter. Do not use those high efficiency washable air filters like Paul Harvey used to advertise ( yes I enjoyed listening to Paul during lunch on the job site, great story teller) I would not recommend a washable period never can get all the dirt out of them.
 
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threeputt

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Rusty Fords said:
New Member first post: over 26 years HVAC trade, 29 years and counting US Coast Guard mostly reserve. Joined the Forum mainly for the info on these Barndominiums and thought I might be able to help anyone with HVAC questions.

I owned my own HVAC business for 8 years got tired of running 6-7 days, 14-18 hour days. When I installed a new furnace for a customer most of the time I would leave a case of pleated air filters for them.

The only reason I can think of a company would tell you to only put the cheap filter in would be they are worried about proper air flow. If the ductwork was designed for a 2.5 ton H/P this should never be an issue. A 2.5 ton H/P or A/C unit should have in the neighborhood of 1000 CFM (400/ton).
Do you know what size your old H/P was?
What size of air filter are you currently using?

Most of your good supply houses supply a Merv 8 pleated as their min efficiency air filter. NEVER cheat yourself out of a good air filter. Do not use those high efficiency washable air filters like Paul Harvey used to advertise ( yes I enjoyed listening to Paul during lunch on the job site, great story teller) I would not recommend a washable period never can get all the dirt out of them.
Click to expand...

The installers told me my duct work was perfect. I sort of wanted new but they said mine was great. So I left it as it was.
The filters. I am using this one as of right now . See what you think and if it is ok to use these.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywe...PR-7-Air-Filter-2-Pack-90702-011625/203157051

It seems ok. I tossed the cheap ones. I plan on changing it once a month if really dirty.
I don't have a clue what I was told to not use these cheap ones other than they were afraid of restricting air flow and this one I am using now don't
 
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yeldogt

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threeputt said:
The people who installed it said not to install pleated filters. They must not allergies . Said those would trash my new system. Too much restriction I was told.
I didn't see any difference in air flow from vent on the one I installed Wednesday. MERV 8 but its not the thick one you mentioned. I will see if I can find one of those.
Click to expand...

The 1" pleated can be very restrictive. They just don't have enough surface area.

The 4 and 5 inch pleated have 4 and 5 times the surface area ... the old 1" fiberglass were fine for oil systems with belt driven motors.

Every new system should have the bigger type installed ... they last 6 months on my system and it has constant circulation.
 
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