Entries from January 2009 ↓

There are some common problems that home owners encounter when performing the common task of installing a new furnace filter or air

conditioner filter. Unfortunately they don’t come with directions.

After you perform this maintenance task the first time you quickly realize that it is not difficult to do. Below are links to some articles that attempt to eliminate some of the most common obstacles often encountered when installing a new air filter for the first time.

Where is my furnace filter?

Where is my furnace filter?
Before you can change or inspect your furnace filter you have to

know where it is located. Every air conditioning and heating system should have one and they can often be difficult to find. They are usually installed in the air handler but not always.

Which way do furnace filters go?

Which way do furnace filters go?
This is an important part of changing your air conditioner filter. You don’t want install your new filter the wrong way. There are usually arrows pointing in the direction of air flow. Ignore these and you can negatively impact system performance and reduce filter life. There are some other indicators to determine which way your replacement filter should go.

How do you install a furnace filter?

How do you install a furnace filter?
Sometimes filters are difficult to remove because you can’t get your fingers into the narrow opening of the air handler to remove them. Try this easy solution to make changing your furnace filter much easier.

Question: I have a Trion Air Bear media filter installed close to my furnace in my basement.  I also have two Newfoundland dogs who shed like fiends.

I have found the expensive Trion media filters clog quickly (well before a year, more like a month) with fur. I wonder if it would make sense to install return air grille filters with cheap fibreglass filters as a sort of pre-filter to extend the life of my Trion Air Bear media filters?  It seems like this could help prevent pet fur from building up in my ducts. Do you see any problems with this?

Your Trion Air Bear filter probably has a MERV 11 rating. Furnace filters and air conditioner filters with high MERV ratings already restrict air flow so adding another filter has an even greater impact.

I typically don’t recommend using fibreglass filters because they do such a poor job and I am always cautious about using two media air filters together.

However, every filter has its use and fibreglass panel filters are great for your problem. Be very careful not to let them get too dirty because having two filters in a system can cause a number of problems. I would recommend changing them monthly at least and maybe more.

I would also recommend that you check the MERV rating of your Trion Air Bear filter. The rating should be marked on it. If the MERV rating is higher than 8 I would recommend changing it to a filter with a MERV 8 rating. These have less impact on air flow than the higher MERV filters and will still do an adequate job.

Read the articles below for more information about some of the potential problems that can be created when restriction air flow.

When to change your air conditioner filter
How often do you need to change your air conditioner filter?

Question: I have recently moved into a house and the furnace uses an electrostatic air filter filter and I am unfamiliar with it.  We have 2 filters one is in the furnace and 1 is leaning up against the wall…the slot is big enough for both filters, do I put them both in or would that restrict the airflow…is the sole purpose of having 2 to alternate when cleaning the other.  Thank you in advance for helping me with this question….thank you also for the info on cleaning it this website is very helpful.

It is fairly common for people to have two electrostatic filters. While one is drying after being cleaned the other is used and they are alternated this way. You are also correct about using both of these filters in a heating or air conditioning system. Installing both filters at the same time would definitely cause problems with air flow.

Restricting air flow can cause many different problems:

Restricting air flow in an air conditioner

• Evaporator coils icing up
• Poor air circulation in the conditioned space
• Increased operating costs due to longer run times
• A decrease in equipment efficiency

Restricting air flow in a furnace

• Furnaces cycling on high limit switches
• Cracked heat exchangers
• Increased fuel consumption due to longer run times
• A decrease in efficiency

The above are only some of the potential problems that can result from restricting air flow.