HVAC - Furnace filter replacement

[Geekbabe]

As part of our lease it’s on me to get our furnace filters replaced. There are 4 units in this building and I suspect that more than one of them hasn’t bothered. What should I do if the service guy tells me this? Obviously I can’t afford to get everyone’s filter professionally replaced. I also don’t want to risk a fire or to rat out fellow tenants

 

[stargazr]

I don't know what type of furnace but the average home furnace filter is quite inexpensive ($5-10 ea or more depending on allergy rating) and relatively easy to install. Not sure it's a fire hazard but a dirty filter is bad for the unit.

 

[Geekbabe]

I don't know what type of furnace but the average home furnace filter is quite inexpensive ($5-10 ea or more depending on allergy rating) and relatively easy to install. Not sure it's a fire hazard but a dirty filter is bad for the unit.

Thing is, here in MA, consumers aren’t allowed to change filters, they have to be done professionally, there will clearly be an up charge for replacing all four.If I was working, I would do it but I don’t have the extra money. Landlord doesn’t even want tenants in the basement..wet basement with a sump pump and we have had rat issues. None in the apts, & holes plugged & sealed.

 

[stargazr]

Google says in rare cases extremely dirty filters can get sucked into the furnace and catch fire.

 

[Geekbabe]

Google says in rare cases extremely dirty filters can get sucked into the furnace and catch fire.

so what do I do? This place costs over $1,700 a month and we are lucky to have it as we have cats.

 

[stargazr]

I can't get past the MA law thing. So this applies to renters? And if it's your obligation by lease you would think the landlord has to allow access to the basement.

So you're saying there are four separate furnaces?

 

[Geekbabe]

I can't get past the MA law thing. So this applies to renters? And if it's your obligation by lease you would think the landlord has to allow access to the basement.

So you're saying there are four separate furnaces?

no, there is one old beast of a furnace with labels beneath the filters indicating apt number.

I just got a quote from Yelp..they want $155 an hour, payment for travel time and can’t book till Feb, looking at their ratting it’s a no go. I can direct a service person to the basement but am not allowed to poke around down there or store anything there

 

[dank69]

Sheesh, is moving to a less expensive area an option?

 

[Geekbabe]

Sheesh, is moving to a less expensive area an option?

not really, MA costs, even for the slums, our new casino shot rents through the roof. Plus, given how lousy I feel, winter, apt hunting won’t be happening. Moving here involves, first,last,security, credit & background chec, brokers fee.

 

[stargazr]

I suppose personally I would try to persuade the landlord to let me down there and change them myself. Not to condone breaking the law.

 

[dank69]

not really, MA costs, even for the slums, our new casino shot rents through the roof. Plus, given how lousy I feel, winter, apt hunting won’t be happening. Moving here involves, first,last,security, credit & background chec, brokers fee.

How much does it cost to get licensed? Could be an easy way to make money if all you do is change filters and people are charging $100+ to do it. $5 filter and 60 seconds of work.

 

[stargazr]

Maybe ask the landlord if you bought the filters, would he install them?

 

[IronWing]

That is one law I would probably violate without the slightest tinge of guilt or concern.

 

[Geekbabe]

Just spoke to the property manage, it‘s one big unit, with 4 separate units, if they don’t get it done and the nossle cleaned eventually they won’t have heat

 

[Geekbabe]

Maybe ask the landlord if you bought the filters, would he install them?

I don’t think they sell the filters in stores to people who aren’t HVAC people

 

[stargazr]

I'm getting the feeling the landlord is not such a great guy.

 

[IronWing]

I searched for this filter law in Massachusetts and I'm not finding anything. In fact, I found one Boston based HVAC service that explicitly states on their website that you can do it yourself. Home Depot sells furnace filters in Boston.

 

[dullard]

I searched for this filter law in Massachusetts and I'm not finding anything. In fact, I found one Boston based HVAC service that explicitly states on their website that you can do it yourself. Home Depot sells furnace filters in Boston.

I just came to post the same thing.

Are you sure there is a law against changing your own filter?

 

[Dulanic]

I lived in MA for um 6 years? Never heard of that law and I changed mine multiple times.

 

[Geekbabe]

I searched for this filter law in Massachusetts and I'm not finding anything. In fact, I found one Boston based HVAC service that explicitly states on their website that you can do it yourself. Home Depot sells furnace filters in Boston.

I will talk to my husband and see if he knows anyone at Home Depot who can do it, of course we will pay them.

 

[Geekbabe]

I'm getting the feeling the landlord is not such a great guy.

ya think? Fortunately we deal with the PM & she is lovely, pipe broke in a wall and she had someone here in under an hour.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I just came to post the same thing.

Are you sure there is a law against changing your own filter?

Same here. I live in MA, and certainly, I've never heard of a prohibition on installing your own furnace filters.

 

[Geekbabe]

I lived in MA for um 6 years? Never heard of that law and I changed mine multiple times.

did you clean the nozzle? Just replacing a filter is one thing, messing around with other parts? Not in my skill set, besides that basement gives me the creeps..shudder

 

[IronWing]

I will talk to my husband and see if he knows anyone at Home Depot who can do it, of course we will pay them.

The most I've effort I've had to put into changing a filter is to pull off the front panel (no screws) on an old furnace to access the filter. Most modern furnaces have a flap you lift up, pull out old filter, slide in new.

 

[Captante]

not really, MA costs, even for the slums, our new casino shot rents through the roof. Plus, given how lousy I feel, winter, apt hunting won’t be happening. Moving here involves, first,last,security, credit & background chec, brokers fee.

I always hear this from people.

I've rented a dozen or so apartments in my life and I have never even once paid out big deposits or bent over for things like credit checks/commision fee's. I laugh at potential landlords and hang up on their faces when they bring up that nonsense.

The trick is to deal with small landlords and private homes... makes for lower rent and also makes it possible to find a nice place in relatively "ritzy" areas. (you know, the ones where racist US zoning laws don't even allow rentals?)

I've personally done this successfully in multiple locations so I know for a fact that it can be done. (moving however IS exhausting!)