Any benefit to adding 5-inch media filter when new system is installed?

[Florida Joy]

They obviously don't know what type of filter you are talking about.

[54regcab]

I'm not interested in jerry-rigging my filter grille with sheet metal sleeves, as you suggest, or wood blocking, as suggested by 54regcab. I want to use the 5" filters described in the video in my existing 1" filter grille, without modifications, since the cavity is deep enough. Tell me why I shouldn't do that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=sOJ0dte_z-Y

I did mine that way to prevent having to use special order media. It was worth the extra work to modify the return grill in order to use low cost off the shelf filters. The cost of having your HVAC installer modify the return (wood or sheetmetal, let your installer decide) will pay for itself with lower cost filter purchases. There may even be a custom return grill that your installer could simply install in place of your 1" model.

[Florida Joy]

I did mine that way to prevent having to use special order media. It was worth the extra work to modify the return grill in order to use low cost off the shelf filters. The cost of having your HVAC installer modify the return (wood or sheetmetal, let your installer decide) will pay for itself with lower cost filter purchases. There may even be a custom return grill that your installer could simply install in place of your 1" model.

Not interested in modifying the return grill.

I've made up my mind, I'm stubborn, and I'll do it my way! If the 5" filter for the 1" grill costs too much, I'll get them wholesale through RE Michel where my son is manager. Thanks anyway!

[54regcab]

Not interested in modifying the return grill.

I've made up my mind, I'm stubborn, and I'll do it my way! If the 5" filter for the 1" grill costs too much, I'll get them wholesale through RE Michel where my son is manager. Thanks anyway!

Custom orders are expensive even at the wholesale level. Odds are you will get fed up with the custom media and just go back to using 1" filters. But if you want to to it the hard way that's up to you.

[energy star]

Your son is a manager at R.E. Michels, and he can't recommend a contractor for your HVAC system installation! Or find someone to measure static?! Wow........

[jtrammel]

Custom orders are expensive even at the wholesale level. Odds are you will get fed up with the custom media and just go back to using 1" filters. But if you want to to it the hard way that's up to you.

It's not custom order most hvac supply houses have fc40s on the shelf

[RoBoTeq]

There seems to be a lot of HVAC professionals here who don't know what is available to them.

If I am reading Florida Joy's comments properly, his son does not work in the same area that he lives in, so how would he be familiar with local contractors? Besides, Florida Joy seems to already have a contractor he is working with.

I have to agree with Florida Joy's informed decision to go with using the 5" filter grill filters. That is the most rational way to resolve his specific problem without having to reinvent the wheel or do major surgery on what amounts to a rash.

[energy star]

Uh....maybe he could call the local branch? But yes, you are correct....I did not see that post that states he lives somewhere else. What post number is it?

He's in Orlando, and she's Florida joy, My mistake.

[Florida Joy]

Your son is a manager at R.E. Michels, and he can't recommend a contractor for your HVAC system installation! Or find someone to measure static?! Wow........

HEY... don't disrespect my son! I haven't discussed any of this with him yet! He lives in another county and is busy with his own problems, wife and 4 kids, 6-day work week, etc, etc. I'll talk to him before I make any decisions, but I don't expect him to be involved with the details on a daily basis. Thank you very much!

[Florida Joy]

Uh....maybe he could call the local branch? But yes, you are correct....I did not see that post that states he lives somewhere else. What post number is it?

He's in Orlando, and she's Florida joy, My mistake.

RE Michel has no branches in my county. I don't live in Orlando. I'm a she, not a he.

[energy star]

[energy star]

RE Michel has no branches in my county. I don't live in Orlando. I'm a she (yes, I said, "she's in Florida"), not a he (He's in Orlando and a manager at Michels).

Yes, we got it.

[Florida Joy]

RE Michel has no branches in my county. I don't live in Orlando. I'm a she, not a he.

Orlando may be what ya'll northerners think of when we say we're from Florida, but there are are still people like me living outside the reaches of the mouse! LOL And we wouldn't have it any other way!

[Florida Joy]

did not see that post that states he lives somewhere else. What post number is it?

#30

[dan sw fl]

Use a cut-to-fit or fiber glass as pre-filter .:. the 5" deep filter will last a couple years.

[RoBoTeq]

RE Michel has no branches in my county. I don't live in Orlando. I'm a she, not a he.

My mistake on the gender as well. Then again, since my name is Robin, I get mistaken for a female often.

[Florida Joy]

Use a cut-to-fit or fiber glass as pre-filter .:. the 5" deep filter will last a couple years.

Pre-filter a filter? Wouldn't that be double filtering, which others on this thread have advised against.... you know.... bad idea static pressure-wise?

Or are you just testing to see if I've been listening to all the advice?

[54regcab]

The standard 4" filters are cheap enough that prefiltering to extend their life doesn't make much sense. Not sure how much of a premium the special 5" filters that fit in a 1" rack cost. if they are expensive it might make sense to put a 1" cheapo filter in front of them to catch the big particles. Double filter could cause a static pressure problem if there isn't enough filter area.

[dan sw fl]

Pre-filter a filter? Wouldn't that be double filtering, which others on this thread have advised against.... you know.... bad idea static pressure-wise?

Or are you just testing to see if I've been listening to all the advice?

I am not testing -
_____ You PASS All Tests!

The media (fiber glass or cut-to-fit) I mentioned has Minimal pressure drop (dP).
+ a 5" filter has such a large surface in comparison to 1" filter,
the total dP for the 5" + fiber-glass would be significantly less than the 1" filter.

[dan sw fl]

1. Not sure how much of a premium the special 5" filters that fit in a 1" rack cost.

1. Why not?
___ If someone is hired to "change a filter", the price of the filter just went to 13X.

2. I would certainly limit thickness to < 3/16".