| Author |
Question about furnace filter - Carrier Infinity 96
|
|
| googlemail2003@yahoo.com 2006-05-11, 7:21 pm |
| I'm wondering how often to change this filter. It's huge and very
expensive. I'd hate to change it more often than necessary. The
installer said every six months.
I sent an email to Carrier and they told me once a month. That sounded
ridiculous to me. The documentation says to look at it at least every
six months and change it at least once a year.
Can I just look at it and know when it needs changing?
As you an tell I'm a novice at this so help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jane
| |
|
| Changing filter is like changing oil in the car. Depends on how much you
drive, where, etc.
If your furnace runs very little, you have no pets (or children), floors are
hardwood, etc. - you're filter will pickup very little dirt. And after all
that's what it's for. You can afford to change it less often.
Additionally, you can often vacuum the dirt off or blow it off with
compressed air. All messy, but practical. If you can distinguish clean
from dirty - by all means look at it and decide.
RichK
<googlemail2003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> I'm wondering how often to change this filter. It's huge and very
> expensive. I'd hate to change it more often than necessary. The
> installer said every six months.
>
> I sent an email to Carrier and they told me once a month. That sounded
> ridiculous to me. The documentation says to look at it at least every
> six months and change it at least once a year.
>
> Can I just look at it and know when it needs changing?
| |
| m Ransley 2006-05-11, 8:21 pm |
| What kind of filter, how wide is it. I change a 4" April Air media once
a year and its still very clean, my furnace runs little. In my friends
house their april air is dirty after a summer of continous AC.
| |
|
|
<googlemail2003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1147383109.541401.100060@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I'm wondering how often to change this filter. It's huge and very
> expensive. I'd hate to change it more often than necessary. The
> installer said every six months.
>
> I sent an email to Carrier and they told me once a month. That sounded
> ridiculous to me. The documentation says to look at it at least every
> six months and change it at least once a year.
>
> Can I just look at it and know when it needs changing?
>
> As you an tell I'm a novice at this so help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jane
Measure the static air pressure.
Blowing or vacuuming can damage filter media.
| |
| RichK 2006-05-11, 11:21 pm |
|
"SQLit" <sqlit@qwest.net> wrote in message
> Measure the static air pressure.
You must have not read the post very carefuly - the question was not posted
by a tech, but a homeowner. This person may not even understand what static
pressure is - who are you trying to impress, besides yourself.
> Blowing or vacuuming can damage filter media.
So can evil eye, if it's applied hard enough :-)
Rich
| |
| Joseph Meehan 2006-05-12, 9:21 am |
| RichK wrote:
> "SQLit" <sqlit@qwest.net> wrote in message
>
>
> You must have not read the post very carefuly - the question was not
> posted by a tech, but a homeowner. This person may not even
> understand what static pressure is - who are you trying to impress,
> besides yourself.
That may all be true, but SQLit offered the only "correct" answer.
>
>
> So can evil eye, if it's applied hard enough :-)
>
> Rich
--
Joseph Meehan
Dia duit
| |
| googlemail2003@yahoo.com 2006-05-12, 10:21 am |
| Exactly how do I measure the static air pressure?
| |
|
|
<googlemail2003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1147437446.057847.250780@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Exactly how do I measure the static air pressure?
>
A manometer is the best way but one doesn't usually have one around the
house. One thing that you might have around is a barometer. There are all
kinds of these instruments for the house--I guess you would put it in your
duct or furnace near the discharge side of the furnace filter. What you
weren't told is what reading or pressure drop across the filter is
acceptable or unacceptable. For the pressure drop use the difference
between the measured pressures from both sides of the filter.
MLD
| |
| Robert Gammon 2006-05-12, 10:21 am |
| MLD wrote:
> <googlemail2003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1147437446.057847.250780@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
> A manometer is the best way but one doesn't usually have one around the
> house. One thing that you might have around is a barometer. There are all
> kinds of these instruments for the house--I guess you would put it in your
> duct or furnace near the discharge side of the furnace filter. What you
> weren't told is what reading or pressure drop across the filter is
> acceptable or unacceptable. For the pressure drop use the difference
> between the measured pressures from both sides of the filter.
> MLD
>
>
>
pressure guages are widely available and come at widely varying price
points. Used ones on ebay for $10, to new ones direct from mfg on
Internet for $200 or more.
The inlet to the pressure gauge is hte plenum leading to the fan, i.e.
behind the filter.
We are looking for a pressure differential of a few psi. a 0-10psi
guage would work, but 0-30psi is more common. You will need to
calibrate by installing a el-cheapo fiberglass filter, and note the
reading. Then install a new filter of the type you intend to use and
note the reading. When the pressure reading increases ??50%??
??100%?? its time to change the filter.
| |
| nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu 2006-05-12, 3:21 pm |
| Robert Gammon <rgammon51@yahoo.com> wrote:
>We are looking for a pressure differential of a few psi...
Several feet of water? How can you be so wrong so often? :-)
Magnehelic makes appropriate gauges.
Nick
| |
| Robert Gammon 2006-05-12, 4:21 pm |
| nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu wrote:
> Robert Gammon <rgammon51@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Several feet of water? How can you be so wrong so often? :-)
>
> Magnehelic makes appropriate gauges.
>
> Nick
>
>
Nick, you amaze me at time. Irritate me VERY very often.
It is a very low pressure differential we are attempting to measure, to
be certain. We don't need a 0-25 psi gage, a 0-1 to 0-2 is all we
need. Several models in the Dwyer Instrument catalog will do the job.
Access to the specs for the filters is not easy to come by, so I am
asking 3M about the Filtrete line of filters.
High efficiency filters 4 inch 5 inch and 6 inches deep often get a
differential pressure gage installed to alert homeowners when the filter
needs to be changed. Dwyer shows illustrations of such a setup and even
includes models with switches builtin to trigger air handler actions
when the filters load up.
Our ONLY consideration here is to get a gage what will register the
range of pressures we are talking about. The gages you pointed us to
will cost us about $70 each unless we can buy them in a secondary market
from a distributor.
| |
| nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu 2006-05-12, 5:21 pm |
| Robert Gammon <rgammon51@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=darkred]
>Nick, you amaze me at time. Irritate me VERY very often.
Perhaps because you are wrong so often :-)
Nick
Both is preferable to neither; but naturally both both and neither is
preferable to neither both nor neither; but naturally both both both and
neither and neither both nor neither is preferable to neither both both
and neither nor neither both nor neither; but--naturally--both both both
both and neither and neither both nor neither and neither both both and
neither nor neither both nor neither is preferable to neither both both
both and neither and neither both nor neither nor neither both both and
neither nor neither both nor neither.
from Hare Brain/Tortoise Mind--How Intelligence Increases
When You Think Less, by Guy Claxton.
| |
| Robert Gammon 2006-05-12, 5:21 pm |
| nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu wrote:
> Robert Gammon <rgammon51@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
Magnehelic is a BRAND name, like referring to a refigerator as a Kelvinator.
Ok, here is one answer.
3M Filtrete filters when new have a pressure drop across them of about
0.20 inches of water. This value will change over the life of the
filter. And it changes very very slightly with specific filter model
of the 1" filters.
So a Dwyer Inst Series 2000 Model 2000-0 0-0.5 inches water will work
as will Model 2001 0-1.0
inches water
For some folks, this is not the limiting item, dust and mold spore
buildup over time will trigger allergic reactions, and dictate a more
frequent filter change interval that max pressure drop across the filter.
3M indicated that my question was a bit novel to them and that it would
be forwarded to the laboratory for further research. I suspect that
they think I am asking THEM to provide such an instrument. to dte, they
have not published any figures on what a fully loaded, end of life
Filtrete's pressure drop is.
These high performance pleated media filters, particularly the 4 inch
and deeper models say that they work BETTER, trapping more dust and
pollen as they pick up stuff. Also, one useful tip is to always run the
HVAC, fan at least, when vacuuming, dusting, or moving furniture so that
the filter has a better chance to pickup the dust out of the air as we
engage in these activities.
Again, Nick has a really irritating way of saying WRONG.
| |
| nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu 2006-05-12, 6:21 pm |
| Robert Gammon <rgammon51@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=darkred]
>3M Filtrete filters when new have a pressure drop across them of about
>0.20 inches of water...
That's 0.2/12/144x62.33 = 0.00721 psi, and you suggested measuring this
with a 0-25 psi meter? :-) If the pointer moved 3" full scale, it would
move less than 0.001" across this filter, so once again, your suggestion
is utterly useless.
Nick
| |
| Robert Gammon 2006-05-12, 7:21 pm |
| nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu wrote:
> Robert Gammon <rgammon51@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> That's 0.2/12/144x62.33 = 0.00721 psi, and you suggested measuring this
> with a 0-25 psi meter? :-) If the pointer moved 3" full scale, it would
> move less than 0.001" across this filter, so once again, your suggestion
> is utterly useless.
>
> Nick
>
>
We needed a calibration point and you IGNORED the rest of what I said in
the message concerning the Filtrete filter. Yes the pressure drop is
far less than what a 0-25psi gage will show. OK, we need a 0-1.0 inch
water pressure gage.
However, for $14.99, you can get inexpensive gages that will hang up to
10 feet away witha large red arrow that moves as the pressure drop
increases. These are sold at the many of the same places that sell the
4" to 6: deep filters. Filters-Now.com is one such place. $15 vs $70
for the Dwyer Inst gage. We don't need high accuracy, just a reliable
indicator of end of life.
| |
| Robert Mech 2006-05-16, 1:21 am |
| In article <1147383109.541401.100060@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"googlemail2003@yahoo.com" <googlemail2003@yahoo.com> writes:
|> I'm wondering how often to change this filter. It's huge and very
|> expensive. I'd hate to change it more often than necessary. The
|> installer said every six months.
|>
|> I sent an email to Carrier and they told me once a month. That sounded
|> ridiculous to me. The documentation says to look at it at least every
|> six months and change it at least once a year.
|>
|> Can I just look at it and know when it needs changing?
|>
|> As you an tell I'm a novice at this so help would be appreciated.
I have a Carrier Infinity 96.
What type of thermostat do you have? Is it an Infinity controller?
http://www.residential.carrier.com/.../infinity.shtml
If so, it should tell you on the screen when the filter needs
to be changed.
My first filter lasted about a year before I got the message.
Robert
| |
|
|
> If so, it should tell you on the screen when the filter needs
> to be changed.
> My first filter lasted about a year before I got the message.
This alert is a function of a 'reminder' system/program preset in the chip,
rather than any kind of sensor.
Look at it monthly..If its a cheap fiberglass type, replace it. For under $
50.00 you can get a reusable electrostatic one that you wash off and
replace.
| |
| Tony Hwang 2006-05-16, 2:21 am |
| Rudy wrote:
>
>
> This alert is a function of a 'reminder' system/program preset in the chip,
> rather than any kind of sensor.
> Look at it monthly..If its a cheap fiberglass type, replace it. For under $
> 50.00 you can get a reusable electrostatic one that you wash off and
> replace.
>
>
Hi,
My house has EAC mounted on the return air duct. No other filter at all.
Clean the element in the dish washer twice a year. Works well.
| |
| googlemail2003@yahoo.com 2006-05-16, 9:21 am |
| Yes I have an Infinity Control but the reminder is based on timing and
not on whether it senses the filter is dirty or not.
How much do you pay for your filters? This filter is SO much bigger
than the ones in our old furnace that we are worried about cost.
| |
| Robert Gammon 2006-05-16, 10:21 am |
| googlemail2003@yahoo.com wrote:
> Yes I have an Infinity Control but the reminder is based on timing and
> not on whether it senses the filter is dirty or not.
>
> How much do you pay for your filters? This filter is SO much bigger
> than the ones in our old furnace that we are worried about cost.
>
>
The filter is an aftermarket item. The furnace itself does nto come
with a filter, so the dealer has a choice when installing the furnace,
what filter to install.
Many dealers will go with a 4" pleated filter as they make an extra
$100-$200 profit in selling this filter.
Replacement filters cost between $35 and $60 depending on the source and
the size of the filter. Filters-Now.com sells all sizes and shapes, 3M
and many other brands!!
You will need to look on the case that houses the filter to determine
brand of the filter, then slide it out to get the size and part number
| |
| googlemail2003@yahoo.com 2006-05-20, 10:21 am |
| Thanks!
| |
| Robert Mech 2006-05-25, 2:21 pm |
| In article <1147779850.512127.196480@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com>,
"googlemail2003@yahoo.com" <googlemail2003@yahoo.com> writes:
|> Yes I have an Infinity Control but the reminder is based on timing and
|> not on whether it senses the filter is dirty or not.
Are you sure? The manual is a bit confusing.
I have the zone version SYSTXCCU1Z01. But if one digs
through the manual, it is not time based.
Quoting from page 14 of the Home Owner's Guide:
The maintenance cycle for MEDIA or EAC + MEDIA is based
on actual airflow restriction which is automatically
detected by the system.
Quoting from page 13 of the Installation Manual:
If MEDIA or MEDIA + EAC is installed in the indoor unit,
the system will perform a static pressure check of the
system every 24 hours at 1:00PM to monitor filter
accumulation (True Sense Dirty Filter Detection) or
whenever power is applied to the system or the system is
transitioned from Off to Cool or Heat modes. The blower
will run at medium air flow for one minute.
|> How much do you pay for your filters? This filter is SO much bigger
|> than the ones in our old furnace that we are worried about cost.
It is an Aprilaire. I keep forgetting to dig out the
receipt. But it didn't cause me to gasp. I think in the
$30 range.
Robert
| |
| googlemail2003@yahoo.com 2006-05-26, 10:21 pm |
| Well I guess I don't know if we have MEDIA installed. Other than
asking my installer is there a way I can find out?
| |
| Robert Mech 2006-05-30, 5:21 pm |
| In article <1148689649.948768.151240@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"googlemail2003@yahoo.com" <googlemail2003@yahoo.com> writes:
|> Well I guess I don't know if we have MEDIA installed. Other than
|> asking my installer is there a way I can find out?
111111111122222222223333333333444444444455555555556666666666777
123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012
According to the installation manual MEDIA is for filters 1 to 4 inches.
The thicker filters, like AprilAire, will have its own "box" put in the
return air path. If there is one, it should be obvious just looking at
the furnace. Plus the installer should have left the manual for it with
you. One of the things the manual should mention is the replacement
interval. (For furnaces that can't detect a dirty filter)
But if not, press and hold the ADVANCED button for at least ten seconds.
The INSTALL/SERVICE menu will appear. The EQUIPMENT SUMMARY should be
highlighted. If not use the scroll control to highlight it. Then
press the right side button. The summary should have an item for FILTER
and what it is. MEDIA, EAC (Electronic Air Filter), or MEDIA+EAC.
Use the left side button to back out of the menus.
Robert
|
|
|
|