I have a opening for a 1" thick furnace filter. I use a lower end MERV 11 usually and change it out once a month. Does anyone see much of a difference to using higher end filters? Has anyone used the washable/reusable filters?
Furnace Filters
- Thread starter spierceisu
- Start date
My wife uses the cheapest ones she can find, but changes them religiously every month.
You don't want too thick of a filter. I bought a new furnace last year and the guy told me to use the cheap one. He mentioned that the higher end ones can choke your furnace and shorten it's life.
I used to use the higher end ones.
We built a new house several years ago and the guy who did the maintenance walkthrough with us said to use the cheap ones as well.
My HVAC guy told me the same thing. Too thick and the furnace doesn't operate as well. I use the cheapest pleated filters.
We were told the same thing - just to use the cheaper ones. I will switch out during allergy season and use the ones that are (supposedly) better for pollen. I also replace the filter every month.
Count me in as well as a cheap filter user. Son has a dust allergy so used to use the real high end ones. Was having flow and back pressure issues, HVAC guy told me that they are way too restricting and damage furnace and don’t do much at removing dust.
My furnace filters are 4" think.
I think we've been using decent 3M ones.
Time to probably get some of the cheaper ones now.
I think we've been using decent 3M ones.
Time to probably get some of the cheaper ones now.
I've had good experiences with the higher end filters. You just have to make sure you change them more often (more filtration=smaller gaps so gets filled quicker). I'll generally pick up a multi-pack of them from costco on sale.
Everything i've read digging into the 'better filters damage furnaces' thing is that its a popular myth
Everything i've read digging into the 'better filters damage furnaces' thing is that its a popular myth
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i live in the kuntry and have allergies so i use the highest quality ones you can find idk if it helps because my wife has the windows open all the gd time.
I had a 4" furnace filter box installed in 2014 with the new furnace and haven't had an issue. However, I also change them every 90 days. I could see it being an issue if the entire thing was clogged. It is a lot of surface area. I use generic Airbear Merv 11 filters.
Mine too. Love having the wife on furnace filter patrol.
I think it greatly depends on your furnace.
I had a new heat pump installed in 2021 (all electric house) and had the ducts cleaned at the same time. It's got a 6 inch filter and at my last annual check the guy said that I've probably got 2 or 3 years left on the original filter. The old system would stop working altogether if I used anything other than the cheap ones.
I had a new heat pump installed in 2021 (all electric house) and had the ducts cleaned at the same time. It's got a 6 inch filter and at my last annual check the guy said that I've probably got 2 or 3 years left on the original filter. The old system would stop working altogether if I used anything other than the cheap ones.
I don' think it damages it but reduces longevity. I just do what my hvac guy says to do. He knows the brand and also warranties it.
This is what my HVAC company recommended on our old house. We now have one with the 5 or 6" filter that costs way more. I still buy a mid level type filter though and change a bit more frequently.
