A/C Filters

[ichn2go]

This pertains more towards basement units vs roof mounted A/C's.

Just had a A/C Tech to the house for a A/C problem. I have been dealing with him for a long time. He noticed an old filter that had the accordian type pleates and wire. He asked if that is what I was using. I said I was but I had the cheaper ones in place that is flat and a minimum amount of filtering material.

His response was "GOOD". He said that while the first type filtered the air more it also restricted air flow. The first type is about 7.50 each and the second is 4 for 2.35. Just
bought the cheaper ones for the Moho and while I know that it is a "trade off" (filtering vs air flow) I wonder if some of you may be "choking" the A/C in your coach thus not getting the amount of cooling you are looking for?

Good Miles

[ichn2go]

This pertains more towards basement units vs roof mounted A/C's.

Just had a A/C Tech to the house for a A/C problem. I have been dealing with him for a long time. He noticed an old filter that had the accordian type pleates and wire. He asked if that is what I was using. I said I was but I had the cheaper ones in place that is flat and a minimum amount of filtering material.

His response was "GOOD". He said that while the first type filtered the air more it also restricted air flow. The first type is about 7.50 each and the second is 4 for 2.35. Just
bought the cheaper ones for the Moho and while I know that it is a "trade off" (filtering vs air flow) I wonder if some of you may be "choking" the A/C in your coach thus not getting the amount of cooling you are looking for?

Good Miles

[Captain Bud]

I was advised the same way by an AC contractor, the cheaper ones areallow more air to flow which is what I'm after, . If the weather is moderate we open the windows , the screens only filter out pebbles.LOL

[Tenn.Vol.]

At first I used the pleated filters, and noticed that the basement air was not getting the job done! So I went to a less restrictive
filter, one you can read the news paper thru!!
I know it is a trade off!

Just this morning I took some 3M trim adhesive and sprayed on the loose insulation on the duct
work. Next I am going to moniter the input and output temp.

Have read posts that say the air just gets weaker as the day go on and it will finally not keep up, {thats what mine is doing} but if you cycle it for just 5min. it will start to kool again. Tenn.Vol.

[CalTex]

I was advised by the service manager at my dealer to always run the fan on high, since the basement air is prone to freezing up on the low speed. Slowly getting less cold and then working again after it's off for a while is consistent with freeze up.

[Trek-Cyclist]

I went to Home Depot and bought the life time electrostatic filters. They are washable and are less restrictive. Merv 8 on the scale. You take them out once a month and wash them out with a hose dry and reinstall. So far after 2 months they are working great.

They cost 19.00 each. The only draw back is you have to cut them to size it takes about 30 minutes but I think it's well worth it.
Happy Miles, stay cool!

.....buy the cheap blue filters and spray them with Dusting Spray that you use for furniture....change them often.....less restriction and cleanes the air before it gets to the evaperator....clean it twice a season with coil cleaner and compressed air.....geofkaye

[Izzyblueye]

Interesting post on types of filters for Basement A/C. I was beginning to think I was the only one that has ever been told not to use the "Filtrete" pleated filters in this unit. My service tech said the same thing, that pleated type restrict too much air. Use the old standard fiberglass models. I changed back and have had no further problems.

[Tenn.Vol.]

Another ideal, that just came to me,as I alwayas
run the A/C fan on HIGH. And may not be getting
enough air across the coils. I just checked,
the BED SPREAD is covering the air return under the bed! THe wife makes the bed EVER day when we are camping! Tenn.Vol.

[rvrat]

We also had trouble with the blankets sucking up against the filter on our 02 Journey----even tho my wife does a very good job of keeping them away from the inlet filter area I built a frame on the outside of the inlet area out of aluminum rod that allows air flow even if the blankets hang down.
Bob

[dirko]

Hi Ho: Just for what it's worth, I used the pleated filters on my furnace/AC at home and the back pressure was so great they were blown out of the filter rack. Normal fiberglas filters work just fine.

[Trek-Cyclist]

I hear what you are saying but the Lifetime filters are NOT pleated at all. You can almost read a news paper through them but they do filter out more then the fiberglass ones. It's a flat filter.

It is a layered filter one electrostatic element on top then a thin foam pad and then another electrostatic filter element on the bottom. I haven't noticed any restriction in air flow at all. The air flow is not restricted as it was with the paper filters. Even in 105 * temp the central A/C works super! I'll stick to my new lifetime filters and reduce the dust and pollen clogging the condenser coils, thank you..

[Tom N]

I do not like any type of reuseable air filter. I like a use once and throw out filter, because of the chance of bacteria/virile growth (ie: legionaries disease) in a filter used for an extended period of time.

[Trek-Cyclist]

Tom N,
I hear you, but I'm very confident in my cleaning abilities. A little bleach and antibacterial cleaner goes a long way. If dust and dirt get into the condenser cooling fins, add a little dampness, and bacteria can grow more there then on the filter itself. I would like to prevent it before it happens.

I guess that's why there are many options and products for us to choose from.