HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Furnace filter cut in on a 45 degree angle

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
Y

Yetti HVAC

· Registered
Joined
·
19 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi Guys,
I just had a new Furnace installed, but the filter was done as just cut out slot in the ductwork. There is not any "U channel or rack to hold the filter, it is just a just a cut out slot.
I added some "3/4" x 3/4" "L" extrusion to help hold the filter in place, as it was sucking in on an angle when the blower motor got going.
Is this a normal or common way of doing it?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
 

Attachments

#3 ·
That is done to provide larger surface area for filtration.

In your photo, the duct is right against the water heater. To get larger return drop and more air flow, some of the choices are move the water heater, move the furnace or move the duct. None of these are cheap!!

Was this a hack? In my opinion, no.
Is it ideal, no.

If the contractor, big if, determined that there is sufficient air flow then don't worry about it. When the next furnace replacement comes around, then inquire about duct changes.
 
Save
Like Like
#4 ·
Pac,

I disagree, if all that was cut was a slot with no channels place in the duct, this was a hack after thought.

I am sure you have seen many slots cut in a duct without any filter support, that is a hack attack at its finest.

If it has proper support rails and proper static pressure and blower setup was performed then I retract my back statement. But from the pics and the information provided, he got a hack attack.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thanks for replies Guys.
The cut out was not even or clean...it was about 1/4" - 1/2" wider than the filter, and sharp edges from whatever cutting tool was used.
I added the 2 strips of L channel to the outside, just to make the filter opening nice and even.

If there was at least a framed out U channel inside the ductwork for the filter to slide into, that would be acceptable.

I did send some pics and express disapontment in this part of the install to my contractor, and he said he will have his sheet metal guy come back to make improvements. Not quite sure what they have in mind, so I was hoping to get some ideas on what may be considered a professional way to fix what I have.

Moving the water heater would be no problem for me, I installed that and did all the pipe work, but I don't think that is what they have in mind, or I think it would have been mentioned.

Here's are few more pics.
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Maybe it was prior owner.
They got tired of putting the filter inside the unit and did this.
Hack job, maybe.
DIY maybe.
 
Save
Like Like
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Advanced Response said:
Wonder what else got the short end of the stick..
Click to expand...
- condensate drain pipe leaking, nothing glued, no condesate trap, nothing strapped down and pipe pitching the opposire way of level
- dangling exposed thermostat wire outside
- no drip leg "t" on the incoming furnace gas line, a 90 degree in.

I took care of fixing that on my own, but hoping they can at least take care of framing out this furnace filter opening.
Surprising, a local contractor close enough to be a neighbor, been in business a long time with some good google reviews...
 
#8 ·
Aside from the furnace filter, what is the provision for combustion air for the mechanical room?
 
Save
Like Like
#13 ·
The concept was good cutting it in on an angle with little room to work, but the application not so much. Never, ever leave exposed sharp edges, especially where customer access is expected. U channel is very easy to make with a bar fold. At minimum U channel in the back to receive the filter and keep it from falling in. The long sided channels are just to help support and seal. I can't believe they didn't frame or at least hem the rough cut sheet metal edges.
They are lucky to have an agreeable customer like yourself, and should take this as an opportunity to improve their game.
 
Save
Like Like
#14 ·
How much distance is there between the front of the furnace (where you service it) and the wall? From the pictures it looks very close. The installation manual will specify a minimum distance required.

From the picture it looks as if it wouldn't have been that much work to move the water heater over a foot or so, install the furnace so the front of it and the AC coil were facing out and rebuild the return ductwork so that a good filter media cabinet could have been attached to the side of the furnace. Just my opinion from looking at the pictures and being a service person who would NOT be happy about having to service that furnace and AC coil.
 
Save
Like Like
Discussion starter · #16 ·
mgenius33 said:
The concept was good cutting it in on an angle with little room to work, but the application not so much. Never, ever leave exposed sharp edges, especially where customer access is expected. U channel is very easy to make with a bar fold. At minimum U channel in the back to receive the filter and keep it from falling in. The long sided channels are just to help support and seal. I can't believe they didn't frame or at least hem the rough cut sheet metal edges.
They are lucky to have an agreeable customer like yourself, and should take this as an opportunity to improve their game.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the nice reply. The sheet metal guy is coming back this week, so I will post pictures of what he comes up with to frame something out. I'll be at work, and although I explained the call back to fix situation to my wife, I don't really expect she can do anything to help prevent a half azz fix if this sheet metal guy doesn't take pride in his work.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
firecontrol said:
How much distance is there between the front of the furnace (where you service it) and the wall? From the pictures it looks very close.
Click to expand...
pecmsg said:
Just for the electrical you need 36" clearance.
Click to expand...
Hi Guys,
I see, the first pictures don't really show it, but that wall angles back, so there is over 36" of clearance in front of the furnace. Maybe a little tight, but accessible.
 

Attachments

#18 ·
One plus is that you got 1.44 times as much filter area than if the filter had been installed at 90º to the return duct.

Where was the air filter located previous to this duct modification?

PHM
-------




Yetti HVAC said:
Hi Guys,
I just had a new Furnace installed, but the filter was done as just cut out slot in the ductwork. There is not any "U channel or rack to hold the filter, it is just a just a cut out slot.
I added some "3/4" x 3/4" "L" extrusion to help hold the filter in place, as it was sucking in on an angle when the blower motor got going.
Is this a normal or common way of doing it?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Save
Like Like
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
About this Discussion
19 Replies
9 Participants
Last post:
aa7483
HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion
posts
5M
members
275K
Since
2000
The #1 HVACR Community
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
AOP Residential HVAC/Refrigeration(Beenthere Zone) General Discussion Tech to Tech Chat - Residential Controls Refrigeration & Ice Making