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Posted: 5/1/2017 3:43:39 PM EDT
There's a great way to spend a lot of money.
It's a 2.5 ton 16 SEER Lennox Merit system along with a new furnace. Current Carrier equipment is 12 years old and shit the bed. What I'd really like to know is what's the most ideal air filter to get? I've heard the higher MERV ratings can strain the system. There's nothing solid on that I can find. |
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Posted: 5/1/2017 6:41:14 PM EDT
[#1]
The only way to know is to first measure the total static pressure of the duct system first, filters will have a rating so combine the two to see if it will work based on the systems capabilities. If they know what they are doing and the furnace fan still operates they can tell beforehand.
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Posted: 5/1/2017 7:45:04 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The only way to know is to first measure the total static pressure of the duct system first, filters will have a rating so combine the two to see if it will work based on the systems capabilities. If they know what they are doing and the furnace fan still operates they can tell beforehand. |
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Posted: 5/1/2017 8:43:13 PM EDT
[#3]
Yes. They do a great job but if static is too high for whatever reason you will have trouble.
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Posted: 5/1/2017 8:57:21 PM EDT
[#4]
Do NOT use high MERV 1" filters. If you want good filtration, get a 5" media air cleaner installed by the company doing your system.
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Posted: 5/1/2017 10:01:35 PM EDT
[#5]
If you don't mind sharing, how much?
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Posted: 5/1/2017 10:13:59 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes. They do a great job but if static is too high for whatever reason you will have trouble. |
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Posted: 5/1/2017 10:16:26 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do NOT use high MERV 1" filters. If you want good filtration, get a 5" media air cleaner installed by the company doing your system. |
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Posted: 5/1/2017 10:17:27 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you don't mind sharing, how much? |
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Posted: 5/1/2017 11:24:49 PM EDT
[#9]
If the filter is big enough to begin with a higher MERV rating shouldn't matter. The proper place for the filter is just before the equipment. My recommendation is to opt for a Honeywell F100 filter cabinet as a minimum.
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Posted: 5/1/2017 11:28:27 PM EDT
[#10]
Username seems prescient...
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Posted: 5/1/2017 11:34:59 PM EDT
[#11]
If return is sized properly running high Merv filters won't matter. I run Merv 8 in my unit.
In my last house the filter return was sized too small and wanted to nearly suck the filter through the grill. I just added a 2nd filter the same size above it. The result was more airflow and a much quieter unit when it ran. I calculated I was 60% short of filter area for my size of unit. That was an easy fix for my issue, but if they actually sized your return too small then you'd need to run larger ductwork and have a larger filter area. |
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Posted: 5/1/2017 11:37:03 PM EDT
[#12]
Cheapest pleated filter you can find.
If I was installing a system right now I would have the contractor install a 4" filter rack instead of the standard 1". That way I could use commodity filters from the local commercial filter warehouse and only replace the filter a couple times a year(due to deeper pleats). You can get the deeper pleated filters that fit in your standard residential 1" frame as well btw. |
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Posted: 5/1/2017 11:56:57 PM EDT
[#13]
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Cheapest pleated filter you can find. If I was installing a system right now I would have the contractor install a 4" filter rack instead of the standard 1". That way I could use commodity filters from the local commercial filter warehouse and only replace the filter a couple times a year(due to deeper pleats). You can get the deeper pleated filters that fit in your standard residential 1" frame as well btw. 2.5 ton in SC? OP must live in a shed. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 6:27:32 AM EDT
[#14]
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I've got the basic pleated that's MERV 5. I'm sort of thinking this will be okay? Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Do NOT use high MERV 1" filters. If you want good filtration, get a 5" media air cleaner installed by the company doing your system. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 6:30:18 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If the filter is big enough to begin with a higher MERV rating shouldn't matter. The proper place for the filter is just before the equipment. My recommendation is to opt for a Honeywell F100 filter cabinet as a minimum. If you have the room, get the Aprilaire 1510. It has the lowest pressure drop of any media air cleaner. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 6:52:16 AM EDT
[#16]
I have been using high merv filters for years but I design around a low static and install mostly variable drive air handlers, all my systems are quiet and clean.
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Posted: 5/2/2017 7:24:39 AM EDT
[#17]
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$4,677.00 |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 9:19:04 AM EDT
[#18]
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None of the HVAC guys like pleated filters. I had the cheapo type mesh and they were happy to install it in my new system. Said it was better. That has been my experience throughout years of use. Change it every month or two. Restrictive filters are bad. 2.5 ton in SC? OP must live in a shed. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 9:19:39 AM EDT
[#19]
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Possibly. The easiest way to tell is when the company doing your installation has their service tech come out to commission the system make sure they check the static pressure in your duct work. They can then compare that to the measured CFM's to make sure you are getting the proper amount of airflow. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
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Do NOT use high MERV 1" filters. If you want good filtration, get a 5" media air cleaner installed by the company doing your system. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 9:20:35 AM EDT
[#20]
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Cheaper than I would of guessed. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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$4,677.00 |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 11:36:45 AM EDT
[#21]
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That's after a $200 rebate from the power company. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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$4,677.00 |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 12:02:28 PM EDT
[#22]
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That's still pretty cheap. It was about $8k for my Lennox 19 SEER 2.5 ton and 98% furnace |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 12:52:01 PM EDT
[#23]
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Huge price differences once you start going up in seer. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 2:17:20 PM EDT
[#24]
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That's still pretty cheap. It was about $8k for my Lennox 19 SEER 2.5 ton and 98% furnace Quote HistoryQuoted:
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$4,677.00 Edit that price for your system isn't apples to apples due to the SEER so it illustrates the terrible deal one vendor was trying to push me. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 7:41:59 PM EDT
[#25]
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Personally I don't think the cost difference is justified once you go over 16 SEER. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Huge price differences once you start going up in seer. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 8:00:23 PM EDT
[#26]
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I got one quote that was close to $8K. Like with all things you have to shop around. Edit that price for your system isn't apples to apples due to the SEER so it illustrates the terrible deal one vendor was trying to push me. |
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Posted: 5/2/2017 9:01:51 PM EDT
[#27]
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well when partial loading coupled high humidity and homes that are shuttered up for the summer the higher seer units really shine Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Huge price differences once you start going up in seer. 
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Posted: 5/2/2017 9:35:24 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
None of the HVAC guys like pleated filters. I had the cheapo type mesh and they were happy to install it in my new system. Said it was better. That has been my experience throughout years of use. Change it every month or two. Restrictive filters are bad. 2.5 ton in SC? OP must live in a shed. If your system was engineered correctly, you can use higher MERV filters, like coldair mentions. That depends on your return filter size, which can be helped with a deeper pleated filter as I mentioned in my post. The deeper pleats give you more filter area, which effectively gives you a "larger return"/lower static pressure drop. Ideally you have a lower velocity across your return, which means efficient filtering, fan motor that runs cooler, and less noise. |
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Posted: 5/3/2017 10:24:12 AM EDT
[#29]
There's a 20 x 25 x 1 return upstairs and a 10 x 24 x 1 return downstairs.
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Posted: 5/4/2017 6:40:51 AM EDT
[#30]
At first blush, that looks like enough return grille, BUT what size and how long is the actual ductwork that connects those grilles to the furnace?
I've seen lots of houses where the grilles are sized correctly, but then the duct is inside a wall cavity instead of a properly sized chase. |
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Posted: 5/4/2017 9:36:38 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
At first blush, that looks like enough return grille, BUT what size and how long is the actual ductwork that connects those grilles to the furnace? I've seen lots of houses where the grilles are sized correctly, but then the duct is inside a wall cavity instead of a properly sized chase. |
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Posted: 5/4/2017 9:38:27 PM EDT
[#32]
Everything is in and the follow-up QC check was today.
Like going from a Yugo to Honda. |
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Posted: 5/14/2017 9:53:59 PM EDT
[#33]
Update:
The new system is so much more efficient than the old one. It runs for about 5 minutes and the zone is cooled vs. the old system that would run sometimes for as long as an hour or more. I installed Flanders EZ flow filters. They will be switched out monthly and the HVAC folks will be out twice a year to check and clean the system ($150 annual fee). |
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Posted: 5/14/2017 10:07:07 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Update: The new system is so much more efficient than the old one. It runs for about 5 minutes and the zone is cooled vs. the old system that would run sometimes for as long as an hour or more. I installed Flanders EZ flow filters. They will be switched out monthly and the HVAC folks will be out twice a year to check and clean the system ($150 annual fee). I'd get a humidistat and monitor your humidity levels. Part of the issue could be it's not too hot yet so as it gets hotter, your run times should increase. |
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Posted: 5/15/2017 6:05:19 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Hate to bear bad news but that might be a problem. If an AC system only runs for short periods and shuts off, that's a possible sign of oversizing. Oversizing will cause the unit to run for short periods of time and then shut down. Running for short periods of time doesn't enable the system to remove humidity. I'd prefer to see the system run for more than 10 minutes at a time. I'd get a humidistat and monitor your humidity levels. Part of the issue could be it's not too hot yet so as it gets hotter, your run times should increase. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Update: The new system is so much more efficient than the old one. It runs for about 5 minutes and the zone is cooled vs. the old system that would run sometimes for as long as an hour or more. I installed Flanders EZ flow filters. They will be switched out monthly and the HVAC folks will be out twice a year to check and clean the system ($150 annual fee). I'd get a humidistat and monitor your humidity levels. Part of the issue could be it's not too hot yet so as it gets hotter, your run times should increase. Modern equipment is designed for longer run times to dehumidify better. |
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Posted: 5/15/2017 6:30:25 AM EDT
[#36]
Which is why I love installing the variable drive units, the slow down to match the load on the system a two ton system can slow all the way down to half a ton. This means great dehumidification many of my customers say they they have raised the temperature to 78 and are freezing with their humidity in the low 40s
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Posted: 5/15/2017 9:18:28 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Which is why I love installing the variable drive units, the slow down to match the load on the system a two ton system can slow all the way down to half a ton. This means great dehumidification many of my customers say they they have raised the temperature to 78 and are freezing with their humidity in the low 40s
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Posted: 5/15/2017 4:14:03 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Which is why I love installing the variable drive units, the slow down to match the load on the system a two ton system can slow all the way down to half a ton. This means great dehumidification many of my customers say they they have raised the temperature to 78 and are freezing with their humidity in the low 40s |
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Posted: 5/20/2017 12:11:32 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Hate to bear bad news but that might be a problem. If an AC system only runs for short periods and shuts off, that's a possible sign of oversizing. Oversizing will cause the unit to run for short periods of time and then shut down. Running for short periods of time doesn't enable the system to remove humidity. I'd prefer to see the system run for more than 10 minutes at a time. I'd get a humidistat and monitor your humidity levels. Part of the issue could be it's not too hot yet so as it gets hotter, your run times should increase. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Update: The new system is so much more efficient than the old one. It runs for about 5 minutes and the zone is cooled vs. the old system that would run sometimes for as long as an hour or more. I installed Flanders EZ flow filters. They will be switched out monthly and the HVAC folks will be out twice a year to check and clean the system ($150 annual fee). I'd get a humidistat and monitor your humidity levels. Part of the issue could be it's not too hot yet so as it gets hotter, your run times should increase. |
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