[cecilt]

Getting a new HP soon. Have used the metal 1" filters on my current system. Have been reading about EAC's and 4" Merv 10 disposable filters. Are EAC's worth the money? Family of 4 and 1 dog no smoking. One has spring allergies due to tree pollen but we don't leave windows open during the spring. Other than that keep house clean.

I was comparing cost of ownership and appears the 4" MErv10 filters are quite expensive and will far exceed the cost of an EAC. Is this true? If you have an EAC do you not use the standard 1" filter in the air handler I've grown accustomed to using. Are there reasoable cost filters out there. The ones I saw were like $x for 3 filters. Any advice on which is better is appreciated. Thanks

 

[beenthere]

EACs loose filtering efficiency quickly if you don't keep after them(wash them on a regular basis, possibly every 30 days).

A 4" media filter is easy to change every 9 months or so.

 

[cecilt]

EACs loose filtering efficiency quickly if you don't keep after them(wash them on a regular basis, possibly every 30 days).

A 4" media filter is easy to change every 9 months or so.

I was looking at the Aprilaire 5000 and this seems like a reasonable price and the filter lasts 1-2 years. Will this type of EAC do a better job than just a 4" filter that is replaceable. Thanks

 

[beenthere]

Never installed a 5000, so I have no feed back to tell you of.

 

[2old2rock]

Personally I don't like EAC's just because most customers don't clean them monthly, and then cause problems.
I like the Honeywell, and Air Bear 5" media filters. Last 6-12 months, and easy to change.

 

[beenthere]

Depending on your electric rate.
An EAC can cost you from 20 to 60 bucks a year, or more in electric to use it 24/7/365.

Then add on time to clean it, plus the cleaners.

 

[21degrees]

I have Had both!

I would rather have a EAC if their wasn't so much maintenance to them. Cleanning can take 1 hour and then you have to wait for cells to dry. They are excellent for ridding fine dust and PD accross them is excellent for motor life. 4" MERV 10 filters or greater are great for busy famillies who don't have time to replace filters monthly. Can be alittle more costly and harder to fined. But do work good. I sell tons more 4" filters than EACs. Just my opinion. Good luck

 

[cecilt]

I would rather have a EAC if their wasn't so much maintenance to them. Cleanning can take 1 hour and then you have to wait for cells to dry. They are excellent for ridding fine dust and PD accross them is excellent for motor life. 4" MERV 10 filters or greater are great for busy famillies who don't have time to replace filters monthly. Can be alittle more costly and harder to fined. But do work good. I sell tons more 4" filters than EACs. Just my opinion. Good luck

Where is a good place to get 4" filters? I don't the big box stores carry them. Online, HVAC dealers? Any recommendations for the ones to get. I assume there are a plethera to choose from. Thanks

 

[beenthere]

OEM refills only.

Youc an get them from your HVAC contractor.

 

[BaldLoonie]

Never yet had a complaint on a 5000. Customers do like them. Most with washable EAC issues pull the cells and put in a 4-5" media filter if that tells you anything. And only had 1 customer out of dozens say fix my EAC.

The big boxes do carry the medias but if they aren't the genuine Honeywell, Trion, or whatever, they could be restrictive and hurt airflow which costs more to heat & cool the house.

 

[DanW13]

I read a report not too long ago on the different brands of EAC's, the top 2 out of I think 5 total were the Honeywell 5000 and Carriers top EAC model for effectivness, and the dirtier the EAC got the better perfomrance it achieved but that not saying you can let it go for month and months with out cleaning it. If your really serious on getting a EAC I would go for the Honeywell 5000 it's very affordable and is one of the best made EAC's made today. 4" filters are easily gotten from your big box stores like HD or Lowes, Menards but are alittle on the expensive side, so if you change your 4" filter 2 times a yr. your looking at $60-$80 yearly, where a EAC is purchased once, and the filter media the new ones use I don't know what there cost's are but probably comparable to a 4" media filter. When all is said and done it's basically a horse apiece but you might have better performance using a EAC, but need to do regular maitinence I have a EAC and don't find it to be a PITA to clean them.

 

[dash]

Beter filters add statci 9resistance to air flow) to the system,have a Pro test the static before adding any better filter.The Pro can also propose duct changes if need to add a better filter,and maintain the required air flow.

Low air flow will damage the equipment.Lack of a merv 8 or 10 filter minimum,can also cause damage and loss of capaity, which increases operating costs.