Excellent

2:18 one of THE best descriptions of an HVAC system I've heard yet. Great video. Thanks for posting!

I understand the argument you are making but you did not factor in the additional cost of higher energy usage that comes from dirty blades in the blower. An 1/8" of dirt on the blower fins can add 20% power draw. Also you used a very high rate for total media replacement. In winter months especially, changing a filter once a month is overkill also. My humble opinion is to use a Merv 8-10 so you get the best of both worlds, clean air or dust and pollen while also allowing proper air flow.

I used the expensive level 10 filter. It caused my line and coils to freeze over - and the line outside in 110 degree temps was covered in ice , and of course no air flow out the ducts. After running just the fan for 24hrs put a cheap filter in and no issues. After a month, tried the level 7 filter and froze again. Back to the cheap Rheem 3 for $9.00 filters.

This was great information.. I been using those expensive filters I might need to rethink this. Thanks for posting

Especially in rental properties. Good video for the customers out there

Thanks Brett!!!!! I'm really trying to do a good job on these video's and I really appreciate the support!!!

@jenmb2679

3 жыл бұрын

Theyre not expensive, if you buy online, i bought 6 Merv13 filters for $40

Getting aprilair media 2210 installed, along with new evaporator coil and outside unit in 2 days( Coleman Tw4 14 seer 4ton with 10 yr. Parts& labor warranty). Had a Payne that ran hard for 15yrs.. Used to use them expensive filters...which caused me to burn out a blower. You live, you learn. Anyways, great advice.

it's best to buy the 8 Merv filter (3M 600), the medium priced one, unless you have some temporary air filtration needs

I like your videos on how u talk about certain situations,keep them coming

A filter is not there to clean your house. It is there to protect the evap. coil. You will still have to vacuum and dust your house.

Take out filter. Remove media from inside the frame of it. Cut to size from your filter media you bought in bulk. Place inside the frame you saved, repaired or even made and slide in. Its cheap and only takes a few minutes extra. I have used the same roll I cut from for 18 years now and lots left. You can buy it just like fabric, by the yards.

You make some excellent points. Thank you!

We run a Dynamic media filter. It is electronic filter media that runs on 24 volts. It catches down to. 3 microns but is as restrictive as the blue filters. Cost upfront is $480. they come in popular filter sizes 16x20x1 16x25x1 20x25x1 so they fit right in the original slot. Replacement media runs about $70 for a 3 pack. Recommended to change filter every 4 months

Ralph, you're exactly right on subdivision systems (Ductwork). Seems like some of the local building codes throughout the country could give a rat's ass on how they install ductwork. Fortunately I live in the part of the country where basements are the norm & ductwork engineering / installation are inspected per building codes. Everytime I see you in a hot attic dealing with a poorly installed system ,I thank my lucky stars for a cool basement & properly installed ductwork.

That why you got to do static pressure test without filter and with filter. 80 percent of houses ductwork under sized or equipment oversized from companies not doing load calculations or fix under size ductwork. Media cabinets are four inch. So that slows airflow down even more.

As a HVAC tech; I concur with everything said. To illustrate this problem to the homeowner I have them stand in front of the furnace with the blower running. I tip the door away at the top about 3-4” and let the door go. With the restrictive filter present the door slams closed. I repeat this with a nonrestrictive filter and the door with fall to the floor. I have been badgering my customers to never buy the you know who filters and buy something rated at Merv 8 or less. That is unless they want me to install a Hi- Filtration System install by a pro with an eye towards the static pressure of the system.

Hey Ralph.......One of, if not the best info video you have done yet !! Great job and well said and needed to be said. Take care, Brett

Hey Gary, I'm glad everyone knew the brand without me saying it!!!! I was going to say the same thing about the filter is meant to protect the system not the air. Glad you brought up the point!!!!! I could have said more about them but I didn't want to make the video to long.

Thanks a lot Rick!!!!! I will do my best to keep them rolling out, work has really started to pick up, I've been working 12 to 16 hour days for the last couple of weeks. So the video may suffer a bit but I will do my best!!!!!

I had a big problem with the 3M line of micron filters. They not only restrict air flow, but they block humidity from getting to the evaporator resulting in a damp house. I switched back to the cheap blue filters and all issues went away.

What he says about the expensive filters that home centers sell is true as far as restricting airflow. They are more like air blockers than air filters. However a 4" thick filter such as an Air Bear with a lot of pleats is a good filter because it allows more airflow thru the equipment than a 1" thick filter will. You don't need to replace the air filter(s) every month, but you should inspect them every month. If the filter is dirty, then you should replace it. If it's clean then you don't need to replace it. However just because the filter looks clean doesn't mean that it is clean. What you should do is to write the date on the filter frame with a pen or a sharpie, and install the filter with the arrow on the frame pointing towards the equipment so when you remove the filter to inspect it so you don't re-install it with the dirty side towards the furnace or the air handler. If the frame has no arrow on it then it's okay to use the same pen or sharpie to draw you own arrow on the frame, the air filter company won't send someone to your home or office to make you cross it off. Even though a filter looks clean doesn't mean that it is, especially with a pleated filter. To check it, you can shake the filter and tap the frame on a floor or on the ground to see if any dust comes out of it. If it does, replace the filter with a spare that you have handy if you have a spare. Wear gloves when working with filters, especially the "bottle cap" filters which are the ones with metal sheets on the ends with round holes. They will bite you if you're not paying attention. I know this because that's what I do for a living and get paid really really well for it. It's not some information that I googled and pasted here. So take it from someone who knows what they're talking about.

Exactly. I paid for a new ductwork system on a 1967 house. The system they installed did not meet current standards. I paid six k for adequate duckts on a new 16 seer unit and was provided with one 12x12 and one 12x24 return filter. Do the math. Get with the times. I now have to clean up after a job I paid real money for. There is no reason I should have to use crappy filters to gain effincy in my system.

@REALBanannaman

3 жыл бұрын

go with thicker filters

Best setup. Cheep 3.00 blue hog hair filter with a inline air purification system in the duct to ionize the smallest microns of dust you see floating in the light coming through the window and stick them together to give them more mass in which the filter can catch it or just be cleaned in normal house cleaning. 2 weeks or so, the air is clean and you only buy hog hair filters for the one to three month change outs. UV light the coil in a way to reach the inner tracks of the drain pan on a typical A coil. Done and done. Suggest Air Knight IPG purification. Way easy to install. Cores last 2-3 years

Agreed Zack, Every system should have one!!!!!!

Try Bakers blown fiberglass that's all I use about $2 Each. They're 1" and does the job Very Well on these rentals that's on a quarterly replacement program even with lots of Thai, Mexican, and Curi Cooking. Even in properties that run a 14x20 14" return 2.5ton.

I like those media air cleaners, ESP

My filter aprilaire 2200 cost 40 replace it once a year it looks little dirty when I replace it.My system was put in 2001 worked on last year replace the induction motor not bad lasted 14 years .Cost me 200 my repairmen did the labor for free ,I have found lots of work for him still do great dude !!

@SigSauerLasers

7 жыл бұрын

FREE? FREE? He did the labor on that INDUCTION MOTOR for FREE? You givin' him a hummer on the side?

I get what your saying. I do . If you have the money ,a professionally installed air filtration system is going to be best. However if your on a budget and you want to run the micro filtration filters like you get from the box stores you can simply use aluminum tape placed around the edges of the filter to make the filter edges sealed to your return. This will eliminate air going around the filter. Just be careful with some micro filters as they can be so restrictive that you can damage your system.

That"s a great ideal Zach!!!!! I may do mine I have a April Aire 5000 on my system that needs a filter change pretty bad!!!! I crawl in these crawl spaces all day and don't want to crawl in mine!!!!!

Hey Hank, I can't tell you how many times I have done the same thing some people look at you like your crazy but most will do what she did and buy the cheaper "Better" filter!!!!!

I never leave home without them Nate!!!!

Hey Abdel, my testo's don't have a ground connection on them. They were made after they fixed that problem. Thanks for watching my videos and will have more like these to come!!!!!!

Those filtrate filters have generated more repair work for me than anything else in the world . Also I would like to state that the purpose of the furnace air filter is to protect the furnace only its not meant to clean the air in the house although it does help somewhat.

Get a mid grade filter change once a month with heavy use

My friend very well put and explained. My trade is maintaining and cleaning an office building nowadays. You couldn't be correct on this!!!! People don't kill your systems get it done right and clean your air and preserve your HVAC equipment too!!!! :)

hope you're still enjoying retirement from the field! to me, a furnace air filter is to keep the coil clean, not for indoor air quality. if you want to get high on the MERV, double your filter area size, go to 4" filter. ie: if you have a 12x24 go 24x24x4 (larger if you can) and build transitions around your filter rack. If you can keep ~0.5 static pressure you need to go with a higher flowing filter to protect your PSC fan and keep the coils from freezing. Bet most residential systems in existence today are starved for air as it is.

I always tell people that put the expensive filters. In 1.5 ton front draw units it’s not going to cool right it’s way cheaper to run a hepa air purifier than your whole ac system to filter air

I was told by my maintenance person to use the thinest filter so the air will go through it

@Bobby-cm7vu

2 жыл бұрын

He was right. As a person with allergies, the fancy filters don't do shit. Just makes the ac unit or heat have to work 2 times harder.

Don’t tax your expensive hvac to purify air. Buy a stand alone $200 filtrete air purifier. HVAC filters are just to prevent big stuff. Go cheap on these filters.

I see customers using the reusable filters a lot and no matter what I say they will not use disposable filters instead! Maybe you could talk about them in another video?

Hey Nick,They still sell them here, if I have to stop at home depot for filters because I'm out those are the one's I get!!!! $7.74 for a 3 pack. I tell all my customers to buy them. The body analogy works because AC term's are like Greek to most people so I use the body as a way for people to understand how the system works. It works!!!!!

I have a Honeywell electronic air cleaner, and for the most part it seemed to work ok and I was sure to pull the cells and prefilter for cleaning monthly.... Decided to try the Honeywell 4" pleated filters you replace the cells and prefilters with... They seem to work well, but I am torn, Electrostatic or 4" pleated?

@nickv4073

6 жыл бұрын

I guarantee you that Honywell is not even working anymore. They fail very quickly. Shut off your electronic air cleaner and go with the pleated filter. That's what I did and my system is much cleaner that before.

I use a Fram Oil Filter in my a/c

Awesome thank you

I don't understand what filter system you were describing. using Goodman as example, isn't there a filter slot, and we just need to buy the filter that fit in the slot?

love the alligator clip necklace

aloha.... i son't have a need, but for those who would benefit frm this, how about uillustration with fotos & video the differences??? are you talking an electronic filter/electrostratic filter??? a $40 replaceable/yearly filter??? i can't picture what your talking about but sounds like a good choice.... i had mentioned i just got a Mitsubishi split heatpump installed and i will be having my system checked yearly... live aloha!!!!

I tape my filters in so they are air tight had a hvac guy that retired from it tell me that

$480 a year for clean air (for the sake of the conversation) is pennies. I've spent almost $500 in a month on junk food

@jr1001jr

3 жыл бұрын

Yep👍👍 Also, $8k for a brand new system sucks. Yet, $480 for clean air is better than: -trip to Primary Care Physician for being sick -trip to the Respiratory/Allergy Specialist [the PCP's golf buddy or poker buddy] -$$$ in tests at the doctor -$$ for meds [antibiotics, steroids etc.] -insurance bills 🤦‍♂️ I'm trying to find that balance between filters that's good for the hvac system, yet gives healthy air for the family. Oh well... 🤷‍♂️

Ralph is right. But don't forget, the higher the velocity across the filter face, the less effective it is. I can't tell you how many systems have a single filter with over 750 fpm face velocity I've seen. Any filter with high velocity across it is less effective and increases resistance, thus less airflow. So remember, any filter in a "A" frame shape (that means two in the return plenum, is better than one across the furnace opening. If it's possible to have two returns, (as in a ceiling filter grille) the better.

A few years back I helped a lady at HD get a concrete filter down from the top shelf. I told her I was in the hvac field and gave her my opinion. She listened to me for about three minutes and still wanted to buy it. I asked her if the maker of the filter will replace her blower motor when it burns out. I said no they won't. I helped her pick out a filter with a MERV 6 or 8 rating and told her to just change it every month. The last thing I told her was the system needs to breathe too.

@marshalllhiepler

6 жыл бұрын

Yes, but the bimbo at the checkout register told that lady that HD was having a 25% sale on the restrictive filter. She exchanged it for the filter that you advised her against buying.

If you have a high efficiency furnace, chances are you need a cheap filter. With .5” of total available static on most furnaces. Take .1-.15” for a coil and .1-.15” for a filter that is already at .2-.3”. That means at the very worst case scenario the return and Supply trunk have to be running at .1” each. In the Midwest the return trunk runs higher than .1” 90% of the time. That is based on poor duct work design. If you use a media or a clean effects the pressure drop can at least double. High efficiency furnaces need higher air flow to handle the btu output. The pressure drop across “high end filters” hinders the amount of available static to raise air flow. I recommend bypass hepa filters and am surprised more hvac companies don’t use them. They have zero pressure drop.

@publicmail2

6 жыл бұрын

You hit it on the head, I use a F50 Honeywell and choose to run without pre-filters and static pressure on system is .3 out of .5 low tap. The F50 is about .05" drop. To me you can't get a filtration better and with almost no drop.

The main thing with these filters is you have to change them monthly. Don't buying Into their 3 month claims. I put mine at the return vent and have been doing it for 10 years. I have cleaned my evaporator coils twice and they were not even that dirty. Btw my system is 15 years old and I'm about to replace it. Those filter systems you're pushing is overpriced since I only use one filter at the return air. I buy the 3m filters in bulk and they end up being about $15 each for the 1500 filters.

Hi Ralph, I'm Abdel from Boston. I appreciate all the videos you post and find them extremely helpful. I completely agree about what you said about NATE. I just wanted to let you know I just started my own business last year and like you said there is a shortage in customers due to the lack of ads because they are too expensive at the time. I also appreciate your honesty w/ customers, I'm the same way. I was just wondering why you don't hook up the ground to your tester? Thanks.

I suggest learning what surface area is and how it should be the topic and not a rant of ignorant statements. No wonder the industry has a bad name... Because you have seen it in the field? Do you have pressure drop and external static readings to back up your eyes?

Thanks for the great comment!!!!! I hope a lot of homeowners that buys those filters watch this video, I think I'm going to do more of these types of videos to help homeowners out!!!!!

You can't go wrong with a media filter!!!!! I was just in Home Depot and saw some Natural Air filters there next time I go back I will look for them. If they aren't there I know what my next sit down video will be about. Calling out Home Depot about not selling them anymore. I tell all my customers to use those filters!!!!!

We use pleats only. Those fiberglass rock and bolder filters require about 80 passes to catch dust particles. They're junk. They clean nothing. The pleats have a larger surface area. Between allergies and dirt in ductwork spitting out of supply registers, those fiberglass filters are a health hazard. Professional suppliy houses don't even carry them anymore. Labor is the cost concern not an air filter. If the air filter is too restrictive, use a two inch filter or increase the number of pleats (higher Merv rating). Don't use pleats for an excuse for a bad duct work job. The spacepac air filter is ideal and a 4"deep pleat. You could probly go twice a year with them, they have that much surface. If you don't trap the dirt and dust in the air filter, Your wet sticky lungs will do hat very well I'm sure.

they sell a lot of filters which one are you talking about?

Hey Ralph I've watched most all of your videos came across this one when I was searching Electronic Air filters. I know this is an old video could you give your option on Electronic Air Filters? Thanks RG

I spend about $15 a year on filters. Say at $800 it would take about 40 or more years to pay for it's self.

Personally, I use two cheap fiber filters and spray them using electrostatic spray or pledge. I also clean my coils twice a year. My goal is to have the max amount of air passing through the coils. To control dust, I fabricated a free standing filter.

I meant to say Testo 550 instead of tester. Thanks again!

Could you be so kind to point towards a good media filter system? Thanks for your time....

@TandNServices

9 жыл бұрын

I think April Aire is the best media filter system you can buy.

@erichill5328

9 жыл бұрын

Many thanks... That's actually the one I was looking at.

does he remind you of lenny from mice and men?

Mike Holmes recommends Filtrete. Does this mean he doesn't understand filters? This sounds like an advertisement for an expensive system. Who puts two filters together?

@TandNServices

10 жыл бұрын

Mike Holmes is a Sellout and is a building contractor not an AC contractor he also doesn't understand airflow. Consult any HVAC manufacturer and they will tell you they do not recommend installing that filter. They will tell you their system is designed for the cheap blue filter or a 4 or 5 inch media filter. The easiest way to explain it is take a piece of paper put in front of you nose and mouth then try to breath. That is how your system feels when that filter is installed. Keep using it if you like I really don't care. Don't trust what you see on TV for enough money people will say anything.

Been using filtrete for 23 years and my furnace is still going strong. Myth. You just want people buying the cheap ones so you get the service calls to clean clogged coils. Never have had to get my coils cleaned.

@kevinmichaelx4894

5 жыл бұрын

@Google User Global warming? Really?

@greyholcombjr.9623

4 жыл бұрын

@Fact Checker He could use the Flanders Merv 1 fiberglass filter. They are " Green " in color and Tree Hugger friendly.

2:43 Tell us how many times

My common sense tells me to buy the cheap thin filter so more air can be pushed through. A thick filter may catch more debris, but the air will have a hard time getting through.

So what filter do you recommend? I need 16×25×4

Well this didn't age well. K&N filters have changed the Market (unless you have HEPA needs). Reuseable for 50$...

all we put in is Goodman and we never have callbacks

@The_Cobalt_Lair

7 жыл бұрын

It's not the furnace manufacturer that you need to give credit to if you don't get call backs, it's the people that you have working for you who know how to install equipment properly who should get the credit. Goodman gives a 5 year warranty on all of their parts which is a bonus. If you aren't telling the customers that they get 5 years warranty on all of the parts then that's your business but you would probably sell more equipment if you do tell customers that.

@PapillonOne

7 жыл бұрын

Biggest detriment to HVAC equipment is not running a vacuum pump to evacuate moisture in the lines. If not done it guarantees you will be buying a new system at around 6 years or so after the warranty is over. Many of the HVAC contractors here in FL don't do it cause they know it causes their own "planned obsolescence" for future work.

What filter is he talking about?

What kind of filter media systems do you reccomend. I'm a tech and I've never heard of a "system" only ever heard of filters.

We have an electronic that you just toss the modules in the dish washer twice a year and run it.... Cost about $2/yr....

@PapillonOne

7 жыл бұрын

Clearly it is not a Trane Whole House Electronic Air Cleaner as they tell you not to do that!

@nickv4073

6 жыл бұрын

I guarantee you it ain't working anymore. Those fail very quickly. To test, smack your furnace hard so dust particles fall onto the filter. If you don't hear any electrical zapping noise, it ain't working.

watch at 1.5. Your welcome.

@Joey__T

3 жыл бұрын

Makes it sound normal lol 😆

I owned two homes in another state. Bought both at different times. Both had Furnace/A/C systems that our local HVAC good 'ol boy had sold to a widow in one home, and a divorcee in the other. In both homes he had intentionally placed the indoor units in the closets in such a way, and the filter had to be folded/bent To place it in the filter slot. His frozen return line services to those women stemmed from the "washable" cheap blue or green poly filters. I guess HVAC guys call 'em rock catchers..' Both homes had those "service call wonder" filters in their units. When I bought them, I swapped them for actual filters. In summer the temp drop at the furthest duct outlet, would never get anywhere near an 8 degree difference. Both homes required the the A-coils removed/cleaned, reinstalled, and recharged with refrigerant. Not cheap. Replace the 10 year old carpets in your house and shovel out 100lbs of silt that went through the carpet backing onto the subfloor.

I asked my husband about getting a media filter. He watched your video and is sold. However, we have a two story house. We have two separate units. Do we need two separate media filters? He thinks we can get away with just doing one downstairs. Our upstairs has only two rooms with a walkway in between that is open to the living room. What are you thoughts and recommendations?

@TandNServices

9 жыл бұрын

If all you have up stairs is just 2 rooms then your husband is right. You can always do your upstairs system later if needed. I would suggest that you look into getting an April Aire 5000. They are pricey but really worth every penny. Good luck let me know what you decide on.

@Bajaheat

9 жыл бұрын

T&N Services LLC. what about goodmans cheaper media filter? do you like them?

What do you think of electro filter?

Good informative clip, in fact it motivated me to do some more probing research... this filter business is a huge racket with high "Mark UPS "for companies like Home Depot.... respectfully I have a hard time listening to one source ( who profits from their advice) encouraging me to spend $800 + in search of the correct system .... but it's "Capitalism"! FYI: I found that the reusable " electrostatic ( pleated) filters the be the best fit for my systems.... typical cost start at $17 up to 45 dollars and the have. 5 year life cycle.

I have a question for you. How good are the filters that are designed to replace 1 inch filters that are 5 inches thick? I currently run a Honeywell FC40R1029 which is a merv 10 that is designed to replace a 20x30x1. It is 20x30x5 (my return has room for it). I can't tell much of a difference when it is installed or not as far as sound goes (I'm no expert That's why I'm asking). Thanks for your time. Jeff

@TandNServices

9 жыл бұрын

Any time you can use a 5" media filter do it. They are designed for the system without causing air restrictions which is not true with the high end 1" filters you buy at the big box stores. So if you are using a 5" you are 2 steps ahead of everyone else. And on the plus side you don't have to change them as often.

@Jcal73

9 жыл бұрын

T&N Services LLC. Thanks for the reply! Do you ever cross into AL to do any work? I sure could use you! This is the filter that I'm useing. (if the link works) smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DR1W3X6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Why is this video so looooonnng just give the advice and tell me your opinion. 10 mins of my life is wasted

@CCCC-tq8yo

5 жыл бұрын

Another 40 and 20 and 5 and 9 you at....

@caru3257

5 жыл бұрын

This is not really for DIY.

@questionguy5863

4 жыл бұрын

I fell asleep half way through

If you want to make a cheap room filter you can duct tape a 20" x 20" filter to a $20 box fan.

do you have to replace the filter every month, even though you might not use the system for months at a time??

@TandNServices

8 жыл бұрын

No you don't have to replace them every month.

@dazedconfuzed6

8 жыл бұрын

+Raul Romo I've always heard 3 months, but I am not a HVAC professional.

@MegaWhitesox05

8 жыл бұрын

it all depends on how dirty that filter gets in three or two months every house is different ... if you look at your filter and it looks dirty change it.

I use the cheapest pleated filter.

Brohhh i havent changed my filter in years idc

If you only have heat, can the unit handle a restrictive filter more than AC can?

Thanks to the Trane Whole House Electronic Air Cleaner I have, my evaporator coil is filled with mold!! Worst piece of junk I've ever owned!

@ATeamAdam

6 жыл бұрын

PapillonOne that was installed incorrectly. I promise you. I’m sure it isn’t sealed against the furnace but using foam tape or mastic.

@nickv4073

6 жыл бұрын

Those never work and break down quickly. I turned mine off and put a media filter in the electronic air cleaner box. Problem solved.

5:24. Your welcome. Get to the point

sorry this is unwatchable.

how do you feel about uv light systems

@TandNServices

9 жыл бұрын

UV lights do a great job

@OcRefrig

8 жыл бұрын

+T&N Services LLC. i Can't Find any Video's or information on uv Lights, HOw People like them, do they do a good job, what do they do, Are they Just a Gimmick ? i wish all the guys would do video's on thier experiences with uv lights.

@Taluvian

8 жыл бұрын

+OcRefrigeration & H.v.a.c. UV light destroys the DNA of virus and bacteria which kills them.

@OcRefrig

8 жыл бұрын

Taluvian Thanks for the info.

If you spend more then $1.00 it's way too much

But I'm a dog

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

DAMN DUDE...you just popping off with what sounds like some bullshi+ talk and just holding up two (2) air filters not explaining in good details what you claiming, nor having an understandable graph chart to show what you're trying to get across. Have some some back-up date.