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Hello,
If the filter works, I see no need to get a new one. I've heard of customers at the place where I work having the same filter for 11-15 years, so long as cartridges and such are properly upkept. If the filter is lasting a long time, it's merely doing its job!
Thanks shahingilbert @
What criteria do you use to know "if the filter is still working"?
My system has typical 1 inch filters on the cold air returns, and a four inch filter at the exchanger. At the end of a few months....six, for example...I can really see the difference between a used filter and a new filter. (Gray versus white.) At the end of a few years, aren't the used filters nearly black, and virtually ineffective?
Totally depends. We buy the cheap 3 for $7 at Lowes and change them quarterly, even though they don't look dirty. At my son's house, they turn black in a month.
El Cheapo ones I change every month - the furnace repair guy told me to even change those 3 mo. filters monthly, so stopped buying those and get the cheap ones. (btw, Home Depot doesn't sell the blue ones anymore, I could only find ones w/green)
Use the cheap fiberglas filters and change them at the beginning of every month. If you have folks with pollen issues, spray any of the Armorall type sprays on it. It remains tacky thru the life of the filter and will attract more pollen particles. Leaving any filter in longer just means a lot is going around the filter and ends up in the ductwork to visit the interior of the house later. Ever heard of duct cleaning? Now you know why it's a great business to be in. I can assure you the cardboard frame of those super filtering filters are not near as strong as the fan motor. Can't tell you how many of those I've found folded up and some even sucked all the way to the coils. And that is supposed to be after just a couple of months....right. Folks that used these generally forget to change them. I would suggest that you take a piece of notebook paper and tape it to the air handler. Mark the date when you change the filter. Most of you will find it's a lot more than 30 days between changes.
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