Ducted Heating Air Filters

[MF3106]

Hi all
'
We're in the process of replacing out existing gas heating system, replacing the ducting as well. We've thought off installing an air filter in the return air. Has anyone had any experience with these units - any advices.

Thanks

[ozwinner]

Do a search for furnace filter, either here, or on google.


Al :)

[johnc]

We had one in our office central heating until we replaced the unit for a reverse cycle system. Can't say you were aware of any change in air quality but the filter used to be cleaned every few months and a large amount of dust and muck was removed each time so it must have been doing somthing positive to the air circulating through the building, especially so as we are really a low dust enviroment.John

[alexeib]

Even a simple system with a boxed return with one side made out of filter cloth (synthetic rough foam like) sprung on a flyscreen frame works very well -- you vacuum it every month or so and be amaised on how much dust it picks up.

We dimantled our ducted heating system after 5 years of operation and ducts were clean inside.

Then you have electrostatic filter systems for allergy impared people, i'd imagine they would be a proper filter.

Talk to one of the places that supply heating systems.

[MF3106]

Thanks for the replies.

I've been looking into it further, and one of the heating suppliers (who also sells the electrostatic filters) recons that a cloth filter they put over the top of the return air filters out around 90% of the dust - as long as it's washed every month during the heating season - cost = $0. Compared to the electrostatic filter csot $600 - $700 to get out 99.9%. Recon I'll go with the $0 option.

Thanks

[alexeib]

It makes sence unlss you have a hyper alergic person in the household.

Just make sure that there are no air leaks that bypass the filter. They often install filter into the door of a capboard which is very hard to properly seal.
In a couple systms that I have installed (for my house and friend's) I've enclosed return into a box with one side made out of filter and put an ordinary grill into the capboard.

[MF3106]

I ended up talking to the owner of the heating installers who was going to do the job. He's been in the business for many years - in the end his advice was that the electrostatic filter was not appropriate and we would be wasting our money. That sold me...I felt it was really good to get what I felt what honest advice from some-one who gave honest advice at the expense of a sale, and therefore profit for himself.

[Don777]

Re : return air Filter Central Heater
I work in the R&D area of a company that makes Ducted Gas Central Heaters
In my experiance. If the heating unit is in the roof I would worry about the filter
If under floor / outside, well polished boards/ tiles floors next to return air inlet
a filter is a must, and clean it every two months.
( saw one outdoor unit in tile home and the heater after two and a half year was full of dust/lint/etc )
On the other hand I have one at home return air inlet is in carpet floor in hall under hall table . no return air filter and after six year pulled the fan out of the heater and only minimal dust/lint on fan.
Also other factors are pet fur, etc

On the subject Dust in ducts, do not get your ducts cleaned, it is basically a waste of money. We have over the years approached a quite a few companies who do this and only one was willing to come and show us how they did it..
and one other time it is more likely to damage the ducting particulaly if it is old, as well as can cause leaks in ducting(this is due to poor installation)

Don