| Author |
Message |
    
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 62
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 - 5:40 pm: |     |
We have a central air system and since we have started using the furnace, we have noticed that the filter is getting 'full' within a week or two. This then makes the furnace shut off, thinking it is overheating, and then we have a cold house (with elderly parents and a baby - yikes!) The ducts were cleaned within the last 5 years by previous owners, and the system is also app 5 yrs old. We came from a boiling Manhattan coop so we are completely unskilled in this area! Any ideas what could be causing this? Troubleshooting much appreciated! |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 7:30 am: | |
Liz,
It may be the 'kind' of filters you are using in your system.
Different kinds of filters reduce airflow differently within the system.
Can you describe the 'type' of filters in terms of what they look like.
I know that my aunt (I have a myriad of people with house issues in my life) tried the new 3M filters in her older system and had a similar problem as they reduced the airflow more dramatically and once they started to get dirty it became a major issue.
Things that clog filters
Smoke, dust, pollen and anything that can be airborne (including air fresheners)
I've discovered that even the 6 month filters that are on my spanking new system (they are a honeywell 4 x 20 x 25 filter) get pretty much blocked in about 2 months, but then again, I run the fans pretty much full time to keep circulation and the filtering issue. My contractor said that what I was experiencing was not unusual.
So . . . It could be you are still sucking a lot of dust into the system, pollen leaf dust season is recently over, or the filters are just 'too efficient' for the blower.
If you're using those basic (read cheap) filters then it may be time to call someone to look at the system.
Richard
(AirMaster of Fairfield installed my system and they've been absolutely Great to deal with.) |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 380
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 9:55 am: | |
..ditto on the problem with the hi efficiency filters (3M Microplete was the brand I believe).
in my previous house -- burned out the fan motor -- which the repair people linked directly to using the hi efficiency air filters -- which were not meant for the somewhat older furnace.
Pete |
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 66
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 9:33 pm: | |
OK so since the kind advice above, we stopped using the 3M filters (we thought this wisdom was the ticket) and cleaned the permanent metal filter very well and popped that back in, in hopes that it would be OK. Well, we are back to square one again.
I guess we will try less efficient, high end filters and see if that helps?
Is is possible that something else is causing this problem?
Also, can we damage the system and/or ourselves by NOT using any filter at all? What is the impact on us over time?
Thanks in advance for your input!
|
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3381
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 10:55 pm: | |
If you do not use a filter you will clogg the system and cause the unit to fail. The only way to fix that is a service call.
If you are using the 3M filters and a metal filter, are you using two?
That would be odd. But to the problem.
Think about it, if the filter clogg, you have something in your house that is creating all the lint. New carpets? A room under repair, something. What could be causing all the lint?
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 44
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 7:53 am: | |
I'd also add that you don't generally ever use TWO filters.
Each filter in the path of the air reduces the amount of air that actually flows.
My feeling...is take a multi stage approach
1) get rid of the metal filter (they don't actually catch much (IMHO).)
2) Get one of the most basic fibre filters (the sort of no-name ones) and see how that goes for a month.
3) If that goes well, then go to the next efficiency of filtering and try it for a month
keep working till you find the filter density that is causing the problem and then, go back one.
I'm with JG though...there seems to be something in your home or ducts that is causing this contamination very quickly.
If you don't find that using just one 'cheapo' filter solves the problem, then it is probably time for a service call.
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 69
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 1, 2004 - 10:04 am: | |
Happy to report that we have finally gotten this all sorted out - and many thanks for the advice above which helped with the sorting. We did call our service guy back - we discovered that the ducts had not been cleaned by previous owner as we thought, AND the p. owner had a big furry dog. This explains alot. We are now using a very thin filter that seems to be doing the trick (both metal and 3M filters have been permanently retired). Next step is to clean the ducts (should I be scared - is it an arduous process?) - any recommendations for a reputable person to take care of this? |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 57
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 1, 2004 - 3:09 pm: | |
I can't imagine duct cleaning to be a huge deal but then again, I've never seen what the process entails so I don't really know.
Good Luck
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
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