Question on Air handler filters.

[600SL]

Dose this look right?

Specifications for my new Goodman air handler call for a 20 x 24" filter. Then it says 20 x 23.5" minimum. The attached picture shows how a 20 x 24" filter fits. I have to bend it to get it to fit. I think 20 x 23.5 would be perfect but I cant find one.

In any case I am concerned about how long these filters will last in this environment. I am considering adding a pleated filter box. Does anyone know one that will screw right on without making air box adapters.

 

[matt_i]

Something is wrong, either try a different manufacturer of filter or have to get busy modifying the sheetmetal...

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Check with an hvac supplier,they make returns that mount into walls with a door to install filter.
There should be something out there that's close.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Something like this would work,just match something up to the return on bottom of air and screw it on.

 

[600SL]

This is not installed in a wall. Its suspended from the ceiling.

 

[600SL]

Something like this would work,just match something up to the return on bottom of air and screw it on.

Wonder if they make one that will screw right on to the air handler

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

This is not installed in a wall. Its suspended from the ceiling.

I know that,hook it to the bottom of the air handler.
Not a big deal.

 

[600SL]

Something is wrong, either try a different manufacturer of filter or have to get busy modifying the sheetmetal...

Yes I just measured the hole. at most its 23.25" by 20. They sell filters 20 x 23 but they are special order and about 2 times the price.

 

[600SL]

I know that,hook it to the bottom of the air handler.
Not a big deal.

Hope I can find one that I can look at in the store or find one in a catalog with a cad drawing. Thanks

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Any decent box store should have one.

 

[Brian_WK]

Looks like one of those air handlers that came with a blue "horsehair" filter.

I would recommend getting 3 pieces of U shaped sheet metal bent up. You can then pop rivet them to the filter side on the outside and then slide the filter in. If you are going to be doing a lot of dusty work maybe even up it to a 2 inch thick filter with a poly pre-filter as 1 inch pleated will plug up quick even though it is up near the ceiling.

Brian

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Looks like one of those air handlers that came with a blue "horsehair" filter.

I would recommend getting 3 pieces of U shaped sheet metal bent up. You can then pop rivet them to the filter side on the outside and then slide the filter in. If you are going to be doing a lot of dusty work maybe even up it to a 2 inch thick filter with a poly pre-filter as 1 inch pleated will plug up quick even though it is up near the ceiling.

Brian

That would work also.

 

[98ssuck]

Look into a red excell merv 8 filter. Way less pressure drop and not overly fine as I suspect you have a merc 12 filter in there.

 

[600SL]

I was actually thinking of something like this. Any thoughts.

https://www.sylvane.com/skuttle-db-...Y1LkQ4Rsr8CueYwrR_dUlDr87kCUQ6yf6QBoCbyzw_wcB

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Sounds awfully expensive to me.

 

[600SL]

Sounds awfully expensive to me.

They recommend a yearly interval in the house which means 6 months in the garage. So the filters are twice the price but I don't have to climb a ladder. Its really the initial cost of $125

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

That's the part that gets me.
You could get one with a door that flips down for probably around $30.00 or so,having a couple pieces of channel bent up by a shop to hold a filter would probably run about the same.
A pleated filter runs around $3.00 for a decent one.
How often the filter needs to be changed depends entirely on what youre doing in garage ,and how much it runs.

 

[Falcon67]

Maybe consider one like this, or similar in the correct dimensions:

https://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewproduct.cfm?productID=453060699

and 2" pleated filters. We use 2" with the new heat pump system in the house and find they do a 100% better job than the cheesy 1" parts.

 

[600SL]

Maybe consider one like this, or similar in the correct dimensions:

https://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewproduct.cfm?productID=453060699

and 2" pleated filters. We use 2" with the new heat pump system in the house and find they do a 100% better job than the cheesy 1" parts.

I like that. It says up flow but I don't see any reason it wont work for horizontal.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Maybe consider one like this, or similar in the correct dimensions:

https://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewproduct.cfm?productID=453060699

and 2" pleated filters. We use 2" with the new heat pump system in the house and find they do a 100% better job than the cheesy 1" parts.

That one is made to support weight of a furnace sitting on it,I'd say it's over kill.

 

[600SL]

That one is made to support weight of a furnace sitting on it,I'd say it's over kill.

I'm starting to like your idea of making one because I cant find one where the filter loads from the long edge and fits nicely. Its not rocket science but it is a pain in the *** finding someone who carries something better than the 26 ga material home depot sells.

 

[600SL]

Today I picked up an adjustable filter that is washable. I don't know how good these are. There was a blank sticker over the part that said Merv 8. So I'm guessing they were called out on there Merv 8 rating. But it gives me some time to make something up. I think Goodmans recommendation of 24 x 20 is a miss print. its 23 x 20. 23 x 20 is available but not at the big box stores and therefore expensive.

So I would like to know. What are peoples recommendations for filters in the shop environment. I kind of feel a standard house filter may be too wimpy. Some people have talked about pre-filterers.

I have a clean sheet of paper. What should I design.

 

[Jackfre]

Filters are there to protect the equipment and you. A merv8 is about as tight as I would go in a shop environment. You will know if it good enough as you inspect your equipment going forward. As you have gone this far it might be a good idea to get a manometer and check the static readings with the system new and clean and then keep a record of the readings going forward. They will tell you what is going on in the air side of the system.
If you have a lot of airborne **** you can also add ambient air filter boxes. I have a JDS 200 that I run when I'm doing the woodwork. There are many manuf of these ambient air boxes.

 

[Falcon67]

That one is made to support weight of a furnace sitting on it,I'd say it's over kill.

True, just the first hit with the right shape.

 

[600SL]

Filters are there to protect the equipment and you. A merv8 is about as tight as I would go in a shop environment. You will know if it good enough as you inspect your equipment going forward. As you have gone this far it might be a good idea to get a manometer and check the static readings with the system new and clean and then keep a record of the readings going forward. They will tell you what is going on in the air side of the system.
If you have a lot of airborne **** you can also add ambient air filter boxes. I have a JDS 200 that I run when I'm doing the woodwork. There are many manuf of these ambient air boxes.

True but I believe I can get Merv 8 in various thickness 1 2 or 3 inch and maybe save on the change interval. I just ordered a Manometer that I can leave in place.