Filter pressure drop

[ampulman]

Wondering if any of you guys know the pressure drop of your typical Big Box 16 x 25 pleated filter (3M, Filtrete, etc.) @ 1600 CFM. I think they're usually MERV 8.

Thanks.

AM

[Kevin O'Neill]

Wondering if any of you guys know the pressure drop of your typical Big Box 16 x 25 pleated filter (3M, Filtrete, etc.) @ 1600 CFM. I think they're usually MERV 8.

Thanks.

AM

About 0.8" wc. Why would you use such a small filter for that much air flow?

[BigJon3475]

My guess is he is probably trying to explain to someone why not to.

[ampulman]

About 0.8" wc. Why would you use such a small filter for that much air flow?

Thanks, guys. Never realized they were that bad. No information on the package and couldn't find anything on the net. Actually it's a bit of a story.

Having system replaced shortly. Current furnace is 125,000 BTU and 4 ton a/c; both are 20 years old.

Had been using the blue fiberglass filters, changing monthly, but the last time I went to buy they had these weird ones (can't describe them) that were very thin.

I didn't think they were worth anything, so I started using the pleated ones. Weren't a problem with heating, but seemed to cut air flow a bit on a/c.

So for the little time remaining, I put one of those blue jobs back in, and the flow did improve.

Anyway, the new system will consist of a Rheem Mod (090) and RARL-048-JEZ 2 stage a/c.

But, not to worry: the system will include an Aprilaire 2200 filter (pressure drops: .12" @ 1200 CFM; .18" @ 1600 CFM).

AM