Do All Air Handlers Have Filters

HVAC Preparation Shop is reader-supported. Equally an Amazon Acquaintance, I earn from qualifying purchases.

While Ac and furnace units do a decent job of filtering air impurities on their ain, return vent filters tin can aid in this by acting equally the get-go line of defence. Granted, regular air filters have their use but a secondary choice could exist the step you lot need to keep your HVAC organization make clean and efficient.

Return vent filters can help with this– the showtime stride at straining for dust and other floating debris.

Beneath are details concerning return vent filters, when you should use them, and what you can expect.

How do return air vent filters work?

Return vent filters act every bit the first layer of protection to prevent air pollutants and other nasty particulates from getting into the air you breathe.

Installed at the render vent in your home, they pre-filter dust and other particles. This keeps your ductwork clean and extends the life of the main filter at your HVAC unit.

If you have a standard-sized return vent in your home, it will be able to suit a regular, rectangular-shaped air filter.

Return vent filter sizes

Return vents come up in many dissimilar sizes. Depending on the size of your return vent, you may need a certain size air filter. The size of your air filter can be determined by looking at the onetime air filter.

If the quondam air filter isn't bachelor, then yous'll need three different measurements: length, width, and depth. They can be measured past opening the render vent and measuring the sides:

Measure the short side. For instance, the short side could be 15-1/2″
Measure the long size. For example, the long side could exist 24-1/2″
Mensurate the depth. For example, the depth could be 7/8″
Circular up the measurement. The size of filter that you lot need to lodge would be sixteen″x25″x1″

Need a specific filter size?

Using the Filter King's filter pick tool, you can punch in exactly the size, thickness, and MERV rating you're looking for.

Customize Filter Size

HVAC Grooming Shop is reader-supported. I earn from qualifying purchases.

Benefits of render vent filters

There are plenty of advantages of return vent filters. Here are some of their primary benefits:

The first line of defense – Vent filters work as the showtime guard confronting impurities from the air being circulated inside your habitation. Ordinary filters certainly take their use, but some situations may telephone call for a fill-in on your return vent to pre-filter the air in your home.
Easy to switch out – Due to its location, it'due south much easier to change out return vent filters than your primary filter. Many homes have their HVAC units in the attic, then you won't need to make every bit many trips up in that location to switch out filters.
Protection for ductwork– Render vent filters forbid particulates such as dust and hair from e'er entering your HVAC ductwork. Notice grit building upwards in your ducts? The easiest fashion to become rid of this problem is to just cover the return grill with a vent filter.
Protection for primary air filter – Using a return vent filter will extend the life of the master air filter at your HVAC unit of measurement. The filter at your return vent will pre-filter out any dust and debris. This helps prolong the life of the expensive pleated air filter at your HVAC unit of measurement.

If you lot have pets, incoming particles such as hair and dander might muddied upwards your ductwork. Using a return vent filter kit will aid in filtering out pet pilus earlier it fifty-fifty makes contact with your dwelling house's HVAC organization.

What if there is already a filter at your HVAC unit of measurement?

Using a MERV-2 or MERV-3 filter in your return vent works well if you already accept a pleated filter at your HVAC unit. Fiberglass filters work well as pre-filters in return vents because they have low MERV ratings.

Truthful Bluish Air Filter

This MERV-two air filter comes in a pack of 12 and is a great solution for return vents. It allows for a good corporeality of airflow and is easy to swap out.

Cheque Toll

HVAC Training Shop is reader-supported. I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why should you apply an air filter with a depression MERV rating? It's all about airflow. If you lot use high MERV-rated filters at your return vent AND at your HVAC unit, then you run the risk of having low airflow issues.

What if there is no air filter at your HVAC unit?

If there is no air filter at your HVAC unit, then you absolutely need a return vent filter. Nosotros recommend using a MERV-5 to MERV-8 pleated air filter in your render vent. In this case, the render vent filter will be the primary air filter. So information technology will serve every bit the only line of defense force against grit and particles entering your HVAC arrangement.

Should you use a filter in your return vent?

For almost homes, return vents filters are suggested. They typically won't crusade whatsoever impairment to your HVAC system and are easy to install – there'due south no need for an HVAC technician.

Likewise having a skilful master filter, render vent filters can resolve this problem immediately upon placing one on the vent. Cheque to ensure that your air conditioner doesn't have problems with getting air through the vents in the first place; if then, the filter could cake your airflow. Yet if your Air-conditioning is in tip-top shape, information technology'southward more than ready for a render vent filter upgrade.

Hither are some reasons why vent filters are recommended:

Fast setup time – Yous can have your vent filter'due south installation completed in mere minutes.
Immediate results – Render vent filters pose little hazard to your HVAC unit. It just pre-cleans the air that passes in your home's central HVAC system. You'll see a difference in air quality immediately, especially if you utilise them on all of your vent grilles. Just retrieve to change them ofttimes (almost once a calendar month), particularly if they get really dirty.
Works with more than air conditioners – Vent filters are slap-up when used on some fans and even heaters, so long equally the filter isn't as well close to the heat source. If you have a forced-air heater or Air-conditioning with duct tubing, endeavor placing a filter on its return vent to cutting back on the dust that'southward usually spread by such systems.

When Non to use a render vent filter

Sometimes, issues could exist with an AC arrangement that return vent filters can't fix. This could include openings in the ducts or tubing that's improperly sealed. In this instance, no amount of filters will set up the trouble.

Furthermore, if there's any sort of erosion to the duct interior, a vent filter won't work since air could pass through the area with the opening. Any issues with your furnace or Air-conditioning itself could forbid air from traveling past the vents properly, forcing it to work harder to rut/absurd your home.

In curt, ensure that your system and its vents are allowing air to flow properly earlier setting up a return vent filter.

Cut to fit air filters

If your return vent is an odd shape or size, then yous can apply cut-to-fit air filters. These types of filters unremarkably come with velcro strips to hold them to your vent.

Past using velcro strips, your filters volition remain in place until you're ready to take them down for replacement. When you change your filters, you can reuse the velcro strips for the next set up of filters.

Vent Filter & Vent Register Filters Kit

These air filters cut and stick easily with included velcro. They are efficient plenty to filter out common household particles, only besides lightweight enough to have minimal impact on airflow.

Check Cost

HVAC Preparation Shop is reader-supported. I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to install a return vent filter

Hither's a quick tutorial for installing a cut-to-fit filter on your return vent:

Make clean the vent – Turn off your HVAC unit and open up the vent grille. Clean the duct and decide whether or not you want to identify it inside or outside of the grille. In some cases, it might be necessary for you to proceed it on the inside, more so if your filter's record doesn't hold well.
Cutting to shape – Many return vent filter brands consist of rolls, where y'all must cutting it to conform to the shape of your vent. Apply the tape start, ensuring that you don't overlap the fins on the grille. To get the all-time cut possible, use scissors and a straight border to measure out the shape.
Press to attach – Press the filter onto the tape you lot secured to the grille and concord for several seconds. If you're using velcro, it will adhere instantly and you won't demand to hold it downwards.

Vent filters are sometimes poorly shaped and require that the user cut them to mimic the shape of their vent covering. Although easy to practice, this tin make irresolute them out a mild inconvenience.

Supply vent filters versus return vent filters

What are the differences between supply and return vent filters? For starters, supply vent filters are tasked with screening out any residual contaminants from your AC/furnace. Whereas return vent filters prevent outdoor particles from entering your HVAC system in the start identify.

If you are having air quality bug, then supply vent filters will just mask the problem without actually making information technology go away. If there is dust bravado out of your supply vent, then there is a bigger effect with your system. Your system might take an air leak, and dirty air is leaking in from your garage or attic. Or the organisation might exist very dirty and require a thorough cleaning.

Return vent filters exercise the reverse, they assistance filter out contaminants from ever entering your organisation in the first place. A return vent filter will go along your air handler, ducts, and coils clean by filtering out particulates at the bespeak of air intake. For some homeowners, a return vent filter could be the solution that keeps their HVAC system running clean and efficiently.