York Media Air Cleaner Filter

[jerryd_2008]

The media filter in my York, Unitary Products Group, media air cleaner is looking like it needs to be changed. The original filter is a fan fold type with combs inserted to spread it out in a cage that was provided. I get the impression that most media filters are more like a fixed box, a much larger version of the infamous 1" filters one gets at Lowes. Is it necessary to replace with this type of fan fold media? Would one just replace the existing cage and fan fold media with the fixed filter?

The filter is Merv 11. The air cleaner label says that the replacement media is S1-FM11202506 which looks like a York designation. Are there other good quality replacement filters that can be used and where might one obtain them on the Internet, say?

Thank you.

[gary_g]

..... and where might one obtain them on the Internet, say?

You're askin' for a thrashin' now, Jerry.

The mods hate that.

Good luck.

[jerryd_2008]

You're askin' for a thrashin' now, Jerry.

The mods hate that.

Good luck.

Ops! Mea culpa! Just don't want to have a service call to change a filter that I can do. Just a retired guy with time on his hands. No, wait! I was just thinking that I need to get back to work so that I have some more time to get things done. :eek2:

[gary_g]

:couchhide:

[jerryd_2008]

Have you searched the net for a replacement filter?

:couchhide:

Do not really know what to look for, Gary. Never had a media filter before and certainly not one that came all folded up with combs you have to insert to expand it. From earlier searches, I didn't get the impression that anybody sells folded filter media. Therefore my (stupid) questions. :(

[johnt2_2002]

Do not really know what to look for, Gary. Never had a media filter before and certainly not one that came all folded up with combs you have to insert to expand it. From earlier searches, I didn't get the impression that anybody sells folded filter media. Therefore my (stupid) questions. :(

Those are similar to the space guard filters from April aire. I know what your talking about..

But since its a York cabinet, the filter size may be different. ..

Most contractors can meet or beat direct bought filter prices when they are replaced during regular maintenance, which should be done at least once/year.

[johnt2_2002]

Oh, and as far as other filters go, I would actually stick with what you have. Some of the cabinets have tracks or slots where the media slides into. So It may be difficult to find the proper size box filter to fit.

[jerryd_2008]

Oh, and as far as other filters go, I would actually stick with what you have. Some of the cabinets have tracks or slots where the media slides into. So It may be difficult to find the proper size box filter to fit.

Good point. Thank you. I'll have to be careful that any replacement matches the part#, right?

[ga-hvac-tech]

If the 'holding box' (the insert box that holds the pleated filter element) is about 20x25, you probably could use an AprilAire 2200 filter. Google that and you will find lots of name brand and after-market filter parts...

I would stick with the proper part, as the filtration ability of this filter is better than any other on the market (IMO, and I will get some flack for this...).

[saylor240]

contact a local york dealer, they may sell you the media replacment direct. that is the only thing that will work correctly, i used to work for a york dealer and replaced them alot, they are not much. maybe cheaper if you buy in bulk. they also sell the comb fins in case you break any.

[jerryd_2008]

Thanks for the advice, Guys. Sounds like I might better stay with what I have even though it seems like an odd ball filter solution with those plastic combs. I just feel a bit uncomfortable that they may go out of existence and I will be stuck with little plastic thingees that keep breaking.

[Mustang894me]

If you pull out the old filter on the side cardboard panels should give you a part number if it is an April air it could be a 201 401 or rarely a 501 ... most dealers sell these for any where from 48-54 bucks maby more depending on dealer. online you can buy them in packs of 2 for about 50 do not pull up on the combs with bare hands you will break the end clips use a quarter works well... if you break em and you deal with the same service company year after year most will just swap them out free of cost ... but if you have no history with them thell prob sell you them @ about 13-14 bucks a pop . also talk to your dealer if you have one about upgrade kit ... they use the same box but change the merv rating and filter type ... not so cheep but much better filter

[jerryd_2008]

If the 'holding box' (the insert box that holds the pleated filter element) is about 20x25, you probably could use an AprilAire 2200 filter. Google that and you will find lots of name brand and after-market filter parts...

I would stick with the proper part, as the filtration ability of this filter is better than any other on the market (IMO, and I will get some flack for this...).

GA, tried to contact the distributor - no reply. And I emailed the contractor for a non-emergency filter replacement - no reply yet. AC season is approaching, I guess. I measured the media inside the "holding" frame and it is 25" x 18 7/8". Without the frame, 25" x 20" would probably work. The filter unit has an outside cover and the frame slips in with the filter media held in by those (stupid) plastic combs. Can one just remove the inside frame (with stupid plastic combs) and put in a fixed filter media?

I sure don't like the idea of having to run down contractor whenever I want/need to change the filter media. But I also note that the original York filter is a very fine quality material. None of that old paper or other chintzy material in it. I vacuumed it a month or so ago and the material was very resilient.

[ga-hvac-tech]

GA, tried to contact the distributor - no reply. And I emailed the contractor for a non-emergency filter replacement - no reply yet. AC season is approaching, I guess. I measured the media inside the "holding" frame and it is 25" x 18 7/8". Without the frame, 25" x 20" would probably work. The filter unit has an outside cover and the frame slips in with the filter media held in by those (stupid) plastic combs. Can one just remove the inside frame (with stupid plastic combs) and put in a fixed filter media?

I sure don't like the idea of having to run down contractor whenever I want/need to change the filter media. But I also note that the original York filter is a very fine quality material. None of that old paper or other chintzy material in it. I vacuumed it a month or so ago and the material was very resilient.

Here you go:

No links to direct purchase sites.


At the second link; note that the first one listed is the correct one, and the second one listed is a viable replacement.

This should help...

[jerryd_2008]

Thanks, GA. I'll will probably look into the AprilAire filters if my contractor doesn't respond.

Does this imply that that is the manufacturer for the York filter unit?

[ga-hvac-tech]

Thanks, GA. I'll will probably look into the AprilAire filters if my contractor doesn't respond.

Does this imply that that is the manufacturer for the York filter unit?

I am not a York dealer, so do not know what filter element Your uses... However:

I do know that the ONLY filter elements I have seen with the combs are the AprilAire systems.

You might do a Google on 'AprilAire Spacegaurd air filter systems' and read up a bit. You may find enough pictures to confirm what you have.

[beenthere]

I hate those filters. Takes too long to change them.

But they work good though.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I hate those filters. Takes too long to change them.

But they work good though.

Many of my customers systems with 'those filters'... I change them once a year with the Spring PM. Customers say the house is cleaner and they breathe and sleep better.

Small price to pay for the benefits.

[beenthere]

Many of my customers systems with 'those filters'... I change them once a year with the Spring PM. Customers say the house is cleaner and they breathe and sleep better.

Small price to pay for the benefits.

I still hate them.

I didn't say they aren't worth their money or time, just I hate changing them.
:D

[ga-hvac-tech]

I still hate them.

I didn't say they aren't worth their money or time, just I hate changing them.
:D

Yeah, I understand... I guess it is just part of the job.

I hate customers homes where I have to walk two flights of stairs and half way around a 5000 ft house and behind the bushes to go from the furnace/coil to the condenser.

[jerryd_2008]

I still hate them.

I didn't say they aren't worth their money or time, just I hate changing them.
:D

BT, your disgust in installing one must be almost as bad as mine when trying to locate one! I get these visions of looking in all of those bins in an old hardware store for just the right size, style fastener. It's that one small thing-a-ma-jig on that expensive whats-it you own that causes so much pain when you need to maintain it.

GA, not sure that the AprilAire media is the right size. Some seem to be 6" versus the 5" one I need. At least I have narrowed the search to a few key descriptors. I have been searching on Google for "expandable air filter MERV 11 Opti-Fiber Media". The "Opti-Fiber" is probably the excellent material that I observed with my old media.

BT, you seem to know your way around York systems. Do you know at least what manufacturer really makes the York MERV 11, 5" media filter. The Source One" York brand is difficult to find.

I appreciate all of your help and patience, guys.

[beenthere]

As far as I know, they're made by Aprilaire. But I never really checked.

They aren't something I recomend. :)

[ga-hvac-tech]

As far as I know, they're made by Aprilaire. But I never really checked.

They aren't something I recomend. :)

If indeed they are made by AprilAire... I would suspect the entire unit is just a re-branded 'SpaceGaurd' 2200.

I realize this is spending some $$$... If it were me I would just order one media online from someone that will let me return it for full credit... then I would know for sure if it fits. I suspect it will. The worst thing would be to pay freight both ways.

[tiresmokindad]

If indeed they are made by AprilAire... I would suspect the entire unit is just a re-branded 'SpaceGaurd' 2200.

I realize this is spending some $$$... If it were me I would just order one media online from someone that will let me return it for full credit... then I would know for sure if it fits. I suspect it will. The worst thing would be to pay freight both ways.

I agree. That is why I am asking to the vendor that they will just be charge for the freight instead of me. :ghug:

[makindue]

I agree. That is why I am asking to the vendor that they will just be charge for the freight instead of me. :ghug:

Oh really tiresmokindad? How much freight did it cost you? :anyone:

[Special Ed]

If I were a retired HO I'd probably find out where the local Johnstone is & buy it (April Air/Space Guard 2200/2400 - that's what it is, you know, because York doesn't make any IAQ products - they just re-badge a whole bunch of generic stuff & call it their own) from them.

Look, guys, expandable filter media is nothing more than a glorified 3M filter - nothing more. I don't think it's DIY for a HO to change-out their own filters be it the standard 1-incher or a SpaceGuard/AprilAir 2200/2400. That's ridiculous. If your-all's business is dependent on how many filters you sell then you're in the wrong business.

And, if they truly wanted a better filter they would've bought some other kind of high efficient filtering system such as charged media air cleaners. Those are far better than the SpaceGuard/April Aire type filter media.