Furnace filter advice

[DukeN]

Need some help saving $$ on expensive furnace filters guys. My furnace needs a 25X20X4 electrostatic filter which seem to run $40 for each one, and they are disposable.

Is it better to buy a couple of washable ones, or find an alternative source somewhere?

I remember an AT member having link to a furnace filter store in their sig, but can't find it now.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Vette73]

Can you not stack up 4 or so 20x25 filters? Take first one out and put new one in the back end and work your way up? Seems some do this from the limited google search I just did/

Plus cheaper ones at eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=200438921719&ff4=263602_263622

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=180475867353&ff4=263602_263622


Here is a 2" version. So just stack 2 and replace front one as needed.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/h...=Purolator-google_pr&infoParam.campaignId=T9F

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=190361823055&ff4=263602_263622

 

[alfa147x]

Can you not stack up 4 or so 20x25 filters? Take first one out and put new one in the back end and work your way up? Seems some do this from the limited google search I just did/

Plus cheaper ones at eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=200438921719&ff4=263602_263622

Here is a 2" version. So just stack 2 and replace front one as needed.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/h...=Purolator-google_pr&infoParam.campaignId=T9F

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=190361823055&ff4=263602_263622

Thats $40 after shipping for me!

 

[DukeN]

Tried stacking the 1" filters but the thermostat indicates an issue with that particular setup. Thinking of getting this 6 pack from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Pure-Fi...pr_product_top

If only I could search signatures here on AT, there was a user with filters in their sig with decent prices IIRC.

Can you not stack up 4 or so 20x25 filters? Take first one out and put new one in the back end and work your way up? Seems some do this from the limited google search I just did/

Plus cheaper ones at eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=200438921719&ff4=263602_263622

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=180475867353&ff4=263602_263622


Here is a 2" version. So just stack 2 and replace front one as needed.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/h...=Purolator-google_pr&infoParam.campaignId=T9F

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...f9ff57d&itemid=190361823055&ff4=263602_263622

 

[0roo0roo]

it requires special filters? what about the ones under 10 bucks at the hardware store

 

[Vette73]

it requires special filters? what about the ones under 10 bucks at the hardware store

Those are usually only 1 inch thick. He needs 4".

 

[0roo0roo]

hm anything 4" must be low low density or it would be hell to draw air through. so putting 4 regular filters in series would be a bit of a mess.

 

[DrPizza]

Do some research on filters. I could have sworn I read something, maybe here, that the price on electrostatic filters really doesn't justify the price, especially when you can get cheap filters for a buck & change them somewhat regularly.

 

[drnickriviera]

I don't think stacking filters will work. I believe the static pressure loss would go sky high trying to suck through those filters. The blower is going to barely put out any air after that.

AFAIK the thicker filters don't filter better than the smaller ones, the pleats just go the full depth of the filter so you have a lot of surface area. They are used a. when you need higher air flow and keep a low pressure loss. b. when you want them to last a long time.

I'd imagine you can get by with a single 2" filter w/ some tape, a screw, piece of bent metal to hold it in place

 

[Red Squirrel]

You could maybe somehow just put a 1 inch filter, and just block off the rest of the holes with duct tape (the shiny type, but since that's a cold air return, it does not really matter).

It's funny as I've been pondering on getting one of those special whole house hepa filters, but not sure if they're really worth the money. My house is super dusty.

 

[Rubycon]

I don't think stacking filters will work. I believe the static pressure loss would go sky high trying to suck through those filters. The blower is going to barely put out any air after that.

Pretty much. If you want to use disposable regular "angel hair" filters then you need to fabricate a channel to hold the proper filter. Makeshift solutions will just increase operating cost and reduce the lifetime of your equipment. Even worse if one of those filters folds and gets ingested into the fan (if on the right side) your repairs are going to cost way more than what a sheet metal fabricator would charge to build a cover and channel to hold a single two inch thick filter.

Look into FARR pleated like the 30/30 series or even a Space Gard if you want better quality filtration. You may need a sail switch (I like the Magnehelic differential gauges but they are sheer overkill for a home unit!) to fire off an idiot light on the thermostat to tell you when it's time for a media change.

 

[nutxo]

My local hardware store, not the lowes down the road staffed by retards who escaped from taco bell, sells filter material. Make a frame and then just replace the material each time.