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Here in the Phoenix area, it seems that a lot of HVAC hacks like to make the shortcut of slapping in the cheap fiberglass filters to increase airflow, without testing the ducts for leaks or kinks. However, most newer homes are now built to Energy Star standards, which require HVAC systems to be designed around a MERV 6 pleated filter or higher (MERV 8 or higher for EPA Indoor airPLUS).
In truth, If there is any airflow issue in an Energy Star or EPA Indoor airPLUS home, using a fiberglass filter is not the correct solution; there is likely an issue in the ducts.
I was wondering, does anyone think to better educate both contractors and the public, should the EPA introduce an Energy Star label for HVAC filters? MERV 6 and 7 filters can carry the Energy Star logo with the text "APPROVED FOR ENERGY STAR HOMES", while MERV 8 filters can carry both the Energy Star and EPA Indoor airPLUS logos with the text "APPROVED FOR ENERGY STAR AND EPA INDOOR airPLUS HOMES". For filters with higher MERV ratings, an Energy Star and EPA Indoor airPLUS logo can be used on 4" thick MERV 10+ filters.
most newer homes are now built to Energy Star standards, which require HVAC systems to be designed around a MERV 6 pleated filter or higher (MERV 8 or higher for EPA Indoor airPLUS).
That's why your proposed certification wouldn't work. As you know, the filter is application specific and the performance is situational...a pleated filter on an old system would under perform from an energy standpoint and a 30 day filter would perform from an air quality standpoint on a new system. Most older homes have provisions for 1'' filters and the ordinary homeowner usually thinks a pleated filter is better, not understanding the unintended consequences of low air flow.
Too further impact the issue from a service standpoint, older ductwork may have been fine for the original equipment but newer equipment is more sensitive to air flow shortcomings. If the installer didn't have a good grasp of friction rates, the filter upgrade isn't made. The consumer doesn't want to hear that they have an ugly baby...that the ductwork stinks. I let them know about the required corrections that would be needed to accommodate a better filter but until they're ready to digest the bill associated with the corrections, they'll have to use a 30 day filter. If that makes me a bad person, so be it, but at least I've left them an informed consumer.
it seems that a lot of HVAC hacks like to make the shortcut of slapping in the cheap fiberglass filters to increase airflow, without testing the ducts for leaks or kinks.
Yep. Fiberglass high flowing filters are best. They are not hacks, they know what they are doing.
Yep. Fiberglass high flowing filters are best. They are not hacks, they know what they are doing.
Unless your system is in an Energy Star home, which by design are required to be tested with MERV 6 or higher filters to obtain the certification. In fact, using a fiberglass filter in an Energy Star home would actually do more harm than good, since it would allow more dirt to collect on your coils, thus negating all initial energy savings and causing potential damage to your coils. If there is any airflow issue in an Energy Star home, that automatically means there is an issue with the ducts themselves.
I know this is a technical discussion, but please can I ask a question? Would you say a unit older than 10 years old (in Florida) should or should not use one of these fancy pleated filters? It is a small condo with almost no ducting (air handler sits in between two outlets - living room and bedroom - and there is one duct running to an enclosed balcony.)
ALL filters restrict airflow at some level, the filters themselves have numbers on them regarding filtering level and airflow restriction.
Those generic fiberglass fiber (angel hair) filters have a very low number.
NO(yes?), they wouldn't have a Energy Star label because they don't use energy themselves.
Your system would have a "suggested" filter number and the Energy Star number would be based on you using THAT level filter, they may list other numbers based on the filter used.
When deciding filter size think supply/demand graph.
Last edited by JohnnyMack; 12-05-2015 at 03:18 PM..
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