Central Air Filter: Worth it?

 I'm trying to decide if it is worth $350-400 to install a Aprilaire
Space Gard #2400 air filter when I purchase my new furnace.  I
understand that the filter should last about a year (we don't have any
pets or smoking or extraordinary dust issues inside the house) and cost
about $30-45 a pop.

On the other hand, the American Standard Freedom 90 glossy brochure says
that a pleated replacement air filter can be used inside the furnace
itself, not just the cheesy typical furnace filter that is designed to
keep golf balls and grapefruit outside of the blower.  Would I be better
off just buying a higher quality pleated filter, like the 3M Filtrete
series, in the furnace or is the Space Gard really worth it?   Thanks!

 

No question! Yes! Most furnaces are designed to accept a pleated paper
filter inside the cabinate, that said, most are a very cheesy set ups!
Space Gaurd, Air Bear is another good one. Both are excelant.
You may or may not get a year out of one though. Depends on many things, if
you haver pets for example. I woud figure 6 months to a year on a change.
Greg

 

Carrie Simpson wrote:

I assume tht the Aprilaire is an electronic filter, at least it should
be for that price.  I've had electronic filters for a long time
because my wife has asthma (and a cat) and we apprently live in a dust
bowl.  If the Aprilaire is the kind that uses a fiber material between
metal mesh that has an electrical charge, the filter will not last a
year, but should be changed at least every 3 months.  Actually, any
filter, electronic or otherwise needs to be changed or cleaned more
frequently than once a year.

Since you don't have any problems there is no reason to install an
electronic filter.  Use a 3M Filtrete or any of the pleated filters
that have an internal wire frame.  Even the $4 kind will be fine, but
if spending $10 a pop makes you feel better, do it.  But, change the
filter every 3 months, and if they don't show any visible change then
change them at a minimum of every 6 months.  Make sure that the filter
fits snuggly in the furnace so that air does not bypass the filter.

Please note that saving the $400 for installation of the Aprilaire
will allow you to buy a $10 filter and change it every 3 months for 10
years.  That will provide way better filtration and the Aprilaire with
a change once a year.

 
Aprilaire is not an electronic filter. It uses a fan-folded pleated media.

-al sung

 

You assumed wrong! Space gaurd is an oversized pleated paper filter.
Greg