You Got A Merv People!

[AirgunSavant]

I hate dust but I also don't like inefficiency.
Stocking up on some oil furnace filters and I have used Ace Hardware's Merv8 Filtrete knock offs.
I'm not interested in the Merv 4 dust blowers. Anybody here know the limit of Merv you can go before running
up your electric or blowing up the blower motor- Thanks all!

 

[901Memphis]

Merv 12 is probably the highest anyone uses in residential filtering

 

[440Magnum]

Its a common misconception that adding air restriction will blow up the blower motor. If the blower is centrifugal (as most are) then restricting it on the suction side actually UN-loads the motor. Unfortunately, reducing airflow over the evaporator coil (summer) or condenser coil (heat pump in winter) definitely does increase the load on the compressor motor... and compressors are the expensive bit. :-/

 

[AirgunSavant]

I use a Hybrid Heat pump with back up oil furnace.
I do notice a slight difference in going from Merv4 to 8 but its very small.
Now I suspect a Merv 13 would limit air flow a good bit.

 

[dishdude]

Furnace filter is to protect the equipment, not clean the air in your house.

 

[AirgunSavant]

But there can be big impact even in little things, and finding the right furnace filter can not only save money, but also improve air quality. Originally, filters were designed to protect the moving parts of the furnace itself, but thanks to technological advancements, filters now prevent harmful particles from cycling back into the air that you breathe at home.

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Furnace filter is to protect the equipment, not clean the air in your house.

 

[larryinnewyork]

I buy my Furnace Filters at Home Depot. They have their own Rating System.
The Filter Company says to change Filters every 3 Months.
I know I was wasting money every year even if I used them for 6 Months.

Last Fall, I did some research and you may want to change the Filter every 3 Months IF
you smoke, have a fire place, burn candles or have a dog / I have none of these.

What I ended up doing is installing a Differential Pressure Gage to the Furnace.
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/Pressure/DifferentialPressure/Gages/Series2000

1.) The Furnace Company shows (confirmed by sticker inside furnace) a maximum Static Pressure of .50 inch of water column.
2.) Install a new Filter and gage will read approx .30
3.) Change Filter when gage reads .50

The Bracket I bought to mount gage to PVC pipe is Dwyer A-610.

I mounted (2) of these gages / with 2, I don't question the accuracy.
Dwyer Model: 2001 ...... 0-1 Inch of water Column
and
Dwyer Model: 2002 ...... 0-2 Inch of water Column.
Bought them on E-Bay for about 30.00 each.

Time will tell, but it looks like I may get 18 Months out of a Filter.
I may be able to get a more restrictive filter and have it last 12 Months.
As long as I don't go over the .50 inch of water column.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Furnace filter is to protect the equipment, not clean the air in your house.

+1

 

[AirgunSavant]

Thank you Larry in New York.
Excellent information and I appreciate the help and the links.
Try those Ace Hardware filters- cheaper than Walmart and very well made.