Furnace Filter MEGA THREAD

[Darell_n]

Your existing 1” filter housing is likely in a piece of duct large enough to install an electronic air cleaner or larger filter holder. My furnace was pretty much just unscrew the piece attached to the furnace and screw in the larger housing. (was the same size, return air trunk did not change)

[Disoblige]

Anyone use permanent filters that work well, and also save cost in the long run? I'm tempted to do it.

[bjstare]

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Anyone use permanent filters that work well, and also save cost in the long run? I'm tempted to do it.

The people we bought our house from left a permanent filter in the utility room. It was collecting dust (ha) in the corner, while a normal paper filter was installed in the furnace If there was a strong case for the re-usable one, it would be more popular. There's probably a good reason it hasn't caught on.

For some reason, all I can think about is the re-usable coffee filters and how much they suck balls compared to a paper filter. Same same, right?

[firebane]

The thing about the reusable ones is you need two of them. Unless you have a quick way of drying them it ends up taking a bit to dry.

Where with the throw away... pull and change and done. And some will even argue reusables are snake oil.

[killramos]

Everything has a lifespan.

I would guess the lifespan of those permanent filters is a lot less than people want to admit.

[Brent.ff]

I have a very odd electric furnace filter in our new place.. seems fine,just need to wash it every few months. the snap crackle pop is very odd/satisfying when its grabbing dust. Had no idea these existed till we did the inspection.

[Pacman]

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Anyone use permanent filters that work well, and also save cost in the long run? I'm tempted to do it.

are you referring to the electrostatic filters? I've got a setup with a large Carrier filter box that has metal fins in it and then there are some other thin metal filters with mesh that I think have a MERV 9 rating on them. Pros and cons......seems to filter well but washing them is a bit of a pain in the ass vs just pulling out a paper/cloth filter and tossing it. You have to wait for it to dry before reinstalling or it will start arcing if you install it wet. I use a hair dryer to dry it off in the winter when I need to re-install it after washing as I can't wait 24 hours for it to dry and I'm too cheap to buy a 2nd one

[Disoblige]

Thanks, yeah I was going to buy 2 sets so I can swap em out easily and then wash em whenever.

Honestly I feel like one of the reasons it hasn't caught on is because people are lazy. They don't make it convenient for you to purchase them either. I do agree that maybe they won't last as long as we think they will. I guess it just depends how often you change your disposable filters and if its worth the payoff of say, at least 10 years?

eBay or Amazon sells em pretty cheap.