Thread: Who is the house A/C expert here?

Originally Posted by MotoZ

Can we agree that return registers don't have filters?

Actually, we can't.



Many attic or retro installations where the Furnace/Air handler is in a difficult to reach place will utilize filter grills. Or "return air registers with filters in them". In most residential applications, 2000 sq ft +/- there is only one, usually located low on a central wall or central ceiling, BUT there could be a couple, one for each floor or end of the house to increase efficiency.

In a new construction or complete rehab, multiple returns are used so each room balances air pressure.... these DO NOT have filters as they would reduce the amount of CFMs of air needed for heat exchange. Motoz's picture best illustrates a system like this. This type of system will have ONE filter rack located somewhere near the air handler, on the return side. There may be more than one filter there, like a carbon/pleated combination, but it will only be at that location.

Originally Posted by MotoZ

The filter is never in the return duct. It's always in the return air handler of the blower unit.

Never is too strong a word to use in this case. Filter racks most certainly can be installed in the return duct. There are several cases where, due to the construction surrounding the air handler (be it a blower unit only or a full furnace) the filter MUST be installed in the return duct sometimes several feet away from the air handler. Simply to provide access for maintenance crews or the homeowner to change the filter when needed. The key is that all return lines must joint the trunk at a point BEFORE the location of the filter.

Originally Posted by MotoZ

Jester,

Let's reconcile this one step at a time.

First, to "pit" is to challenge. As in gladiators.

pit: set into opposition or rivalry; "let them match their best athletes against ours"; "pit a chess player against the Russian champion"; "He plays his two children off against each other"

Second, your english should be capitalized, to wit, English.

Third, we are so close to agreement that we are fighting over a word that has not been spoken. Return air register.

Can we agree that return registers don't have filters?

I never said cold air registers.I said cold air return.Which is where the cold is returned into the furnace.Its the ductwork attached to the furnace.Hope that clarifies it alittle.


[img width=700 height=843]http://www.garrityhvac.com/Furnace.jpg[/img]

A filter rack is the only exception with a filter directly in line to the furnace.I had on of these in my first house.It was in the living room and was the only cold air return in the whole house.I also didnt have a basement.

Sorry I haven't gotten back to yall and thanks for all the replies. I finally found the air filter and it is pretty gnarly, lol. Although, not as bad as it should be because I think the type of media it uses is pretty ineffective against smaller particles. Anyhow, it's green and it's made up of these really thick intertwined thick bristles. It doesn't have a cardboard border like I'm used to. It looks kind of like a scotch brite pad, lol. It is a 15x25.

Anyways, growing up in Houston, the 20x20 filter was located behind the grill on the wall of the return air duct. At the house I'm at now in Dallas, it's in the big metal box. Rootin around in the closet and I accidentally opened a door that led to it. It kind of slides up and it sits flat facing done as air is sucked up through it.

I couldn't find any 15x25 filters at the store...

Originally Posted by jmw_man

Sorry I haven't gotten back to yall and thanks for all the replies. I finally found the air filter and it is pretty gnarly, lol. Although, not as bad as it should be because I think the type of media it uses is pretty ineffective against smaller particles. Anyhow, it's green and it's made up of these really thick intertwined thick bristles. It doesn't have a cardboard border like I'm used to. It looks kind of like a scotch brite pad, lol. It is a 15x25.

Anyways, growing up in Houston, the 20x20 filter was located behind the grill on the wall of the return air duct. At the house I'm at now in Dallas, it's in the big metal box. Rootin around in the closet and I accidentally opened a door that led to it. It kind of slides up and it sits flat facing done as air is sucked up through it.

I couldn't find any 15x25 filters at the store...

That media is meant to washed and reused 8)

Edit: Bruce unless you suffer from allergies or the better half hates to dust,those type of filters kill the efficiency of the sys. a plain jane fiberglass is fine in most cases