Air filters in return vents
#1
08-29-20, 11:28 AM
Air filters in return vents
I have a Goodman ARUF3030 air handler, which has a poorly designed air filter slot. It requires removing two awkwardly placed screws (which get more and more loose the more they are removed/replaced), and the base isn't perfectly aligned with the cabinet so the filter gets snagged on the sheet metal. I literally have to yank on the filter to get it out, and it tears apart as I remove it. Thus, I am considering removing the filter from the air handler and putting individual filters on each of my three returns. This would make it much more convenient to replace the filters and I like the idea of being able to see the filters so I know when they need to be replaced. I also would no longer have to clean my main return duct as the return filters would keep them clean. As long as the filters I use aren't overly restrictive, is there any reason not to do what I am proposing?
Last edited by mossman; 08-29-20 at 12:20 PM.
#2
08-29-20, 10:29 PM
Group Moderator
I also would no longer have to clean my main return duct as the return filters would keep them clean
If the return duct work is well sealed...... using three filters would be fine.
#3
08-30-20, 05:47 AM
Group Moderator
I have three air returns in my house and each has it's own filter and it's worked fine for 18 years so far.
#4
08-30-20, 05:50 AM
If the return duct work is well sealed...... using three filters would be fine.
ferd42 voted this post useful.
#5
08-30-20, 08:26 AM
The air handler is no more than 5 years old. I know for a fact that the return ductwork is tightly sealed. Perhaps I could do pleated filters on all the returns and a cheapo fiberglass filter in the unit to protect against anything that gets sucked in through leaks. Then check/replace the fiberglass filter once a year.
Also forgot to mention the filter is a non-standard size, so I have to special order them online. Not too big a deal as I get them in bulk, but just another inconvenience.
Also forgot to mention the filter is a non-standard size, so I have to special order them online. Not too big a deal as I get them in bulk, but just another inconvenience.
#6
09-05-20, 02:27 AM
DO NOT add filters to the system, especially pleated ones: It's extremely likely airflow is substandard now, and you'll only make it worse be increasing resistance to flow. Think "Replacement Compressor" in a worst case scenario.
[i]Down Stairs plenum box to be converted to a system of duct WYEs You can see its feed by zoned damper[/i]
I purchased a rectangular to round transition for the output of my air handler
There are two 14" holes instead of one
so the rectangular transition goes to two holes
one hole feeds a zoned damper to a dedicated plenum box to supply air for upstairs rooms
and
one hole feeds another zoned damper to a dedicated plenum box supply air for the downstairs rooms (attached picture)
so the air is jammed to the back of the plenum boxes and its forced to go out the sides of the box.
If I change out the downstairs plenum box to WYEs to reduce static pressure on the system.
I still have the plenum box for upstairs.
[b]What would happen to my air flow? Would more air go to downstairs now?[/b]
Ideally I would change both of these plenum boxes to WYEs at the same time.
But the upstairs plenum box and its ducts make is more complicated than swapping out the downstairs plenum box.
So after converting the downstairs plenum box to WYES, I'll have:
1) One feeder goes to the upstairs plenum box
2) other goes to WYEs instead of a plenum box.
Its not balanced and Im wondering how much impact it would create?
I really dont want to convert both plenum boxes to a system of WYEs yet.
I want to do downstairs first, then upstairs.
thanks alot
