How often do you recommend changing...

[blazenut]

high efficiency air filters?

like the spacegards and such?

[Jerry Simon]

high efficiency air filters?

like the spacegards and such?

When they're dirty, just like any other filter.

[Jim Katen]

high efficiency air filters?

like the spacegards and such?

Spacegard & Aprilaire filters have a huge amount of surface area. You can easily go 6 months to a year before changing them depending, of course, on how dirty your household air is.

They're my favorite air filters.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Mark P]

I use a 5 inch MERV 16 ilter that cost around $100 and replace it about ever 10 months or so.

[Mike Lamb]

Folks with animals (and children) that shed will greatly reduce filter life.

[Tom Raymond]

Mike, do your kids shed?[]

Tom

[kurt]

I recall some mfg's. statement that these filters are not desirable due to their cutting down air flow substantially. They reduce air flow so much, they can cause the equipment to fail prematurely.

Anyone else read this, or is my memory failed?

[Jim Katen]

I recall some mfg's. statement that these filters are not desirable due to their cutting down air flow substantially. They reduce air flow so much, they can cause the equipment to fail prematurely.

Anyone else read this, or is my memory failed?

I've heard it in the field. My impression is that it's folklore. Think about it. Would you have greater air flow through a 6 square foot filter or an 80 square foot filter?

These things allow more air flow, not less.

- Jim in Oregon

[sepefrio]

But would a 24" high efficiency filter have the same air flow as a 24" cheap-O that needs to be changed every month? I understand the layers create more surface space, but once one layer is clogged, isn't overall air flow reduced?

When I talk to HVAC guys, they say unless you have a specific condition like allergies or asthma, the filters that cost $5 for a pack of 3 is all you need. Just change them every month.

[Jim Katen]

But would a 24" high efficiency filter have the same air flow as a 24" cheap-O that needs to be changed every month? I understand the layers create more surface space, but once one layer is clogged, isn't overall air flow reduced?

The filters that we're talking about don't have layers. Never use those filters that have layers. They're the worst idea ever thought up in the HVAC world.

The filters we're talking about are accordians. The Space Gard filters are about 24" x 24" and 6" tall. The 6" tall pleats each have about 2 square feet and there are about 36 pleats, giving you a sheet of filter paper that's about 72 square feet in area.

A comparably sized 3M Filtrete filter, for comparison, has about 6 square feet of filter area.

When I talk to HVAC guys, they say unless you have a specific condition like allergies or asthma, the filters that cost $5 for a pack of 3 is all you need. Just change them every month.

Those filters trap very little. For the exact same price, (about $20 per year) you can have a monster filter that will trap far more particles and will only need to be changed once per year. Besides, how many people do you know who actually change their filter every month?

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[sepefrio]

Ahh accordion, area makes sense in that regard. tks

Besides, how many people do you know who actually change their filter every month?

- Jim Katen, Oregon

I do. I change my filter every month that I remember It might be 6 months before I remember but I change it every one!

[Mark P]

I recall some mfg's. statement that these filters are not desirable due to their cutting down air flow substantially. They reduce air flow so much, they can cause the equipment to fail prematurely.

Anyone else read this, or is my memory failed?

I seem to have heard that too; however my filter (http://www.lennox.com/products/indoor-a ... tems/HC16/) was manufactured and installed by Lennox when my HVAC system was replaced last year. It does not make sense that Lennox would install a filter system that would damage the blower. My algeries were better this year then they have been since I moved to IL in 2001 and my equipment has had no problems.