[royalex]

Anyone have experience with the washable furnace filters? Thinking about buying the one you simply hose off and reuse. My only concern is will this create a perfect situation for mold.

[retiredguy123]

Personally, I prefer the throwaway type. They are cheap enough, and easy to replace. I buy the "Filterbuy" brand from Amazon, and change them every 6 months. Also, I have found that the MERV 11 filters, instead of the standard MERV 8, provide less dust in the house, and a quieter HVAC system.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by royalex

Anyone have experience with the washable furnace filters? Thinking about buying the one you simply hose off and reuse. My only concern is will this create a perfect situation for mold.

Why would it create mold? The filter will dry like any wet material would dry and if the blower comes on and moves air through it then it will dry even faster.

I bought a washable filter some time ago (18 months maybe?). It has worked well for me with no sign of mold. I wash it every three months.

The only thing I am unsure of is how well it actually filters the air. With a paper filter in place for six months you can often see dirt buildup. Cleaning mine every three months I don't see that. I assume it is working well but I have no way to determine if that is actually the case. I know I do not have a lot of dust in the air and the evaporator is not dirty so maybe that's an indication that it is working well.

[Babubhat]

Washable Vs Disposable Air Filters: Understanding the Pros and Cons | HVAC.com

Amazon had standard cartridge filter for $22 last month. Not worth the hassle of using permanent for me.

Ask your HVAC contractor

[Pinball wizard]

Originally Posted by royalex

Anyone have experience with the washable furnace filters? Thinking about buying the one you simply hose off and reuse. My only concern is will this create a perfect situation for mold.

Unlike a paper filter, the washable filter has nothing that the mold likes to eat! It typically pays for itself in 1 year.

[Pinball wizard]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Washable Vs Disposable Air Filters: Understanding the Pros and Cons | HVAC.com

Amazon had standard cartridge filter for $22 last month. Not worth the hassle of using permanent for me.

Ask your HVAC contractor

I just read the Cons and there are several things that are incorrect.

Cons:
Time Commitment. After cleaning a reusable filter, you must let it dry for 20-30 minutes.

For the washable filters that are being sold in the villages, you shake out the excess water and put it back in while it's damp. No drying necessary.


Reduced Efficiency. Washable filters typically feature lower MERV ratings, making them less efficient at capturing smaller particles such as pollen and mold spores.

This is not correct for the washable filters being sold in the villages. They are rated MERV 8 which is what about 95% of Villages homes use.


Initial Cost: The upfront cost of washable filters is typically higher.

This is true but the return on investment is about 1 year.

[bsloan1960]

Originally Posted by royalex

Anyone have experience with the washable furnace filters? Thinking about buying the one you simply hose off and reuse. My only concern is will this create a perfect situation for mold.

Pro Tip: Our Air Conditioner service guy told us that after hosing off the filter to lay it down directly on top of the outside air conditioner for 20 minutes to dry.

[bsloan1960]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Personally, I prefer the throwaway type. They are cheap enough, and easy to replace. I buy the "Filterbuy" brand from Amazon, and change them every 6 months. Also, I have found that the MERV 11 filters, instead of the standard MERV 8, provide less dust in the house, and a quieter HVAC system.

You say you "Prefer" the disposable filters. Have you used the washable kind and found them lacking- or are you simply satisfied with your initial choice of disposable?

[Stu from NYC]

We have had washable ones for several years and happy with them.
Even get friendly reminders time to wash them.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

You say you "Prefer" the disposable filters. Have you used the washable kind and found them lacking- or are you simply satisfied with your initial choice of disposable?

I have not used the washable type. I guess that I am just too lazy to get out the hose and wash them when I can just pop it a new paper filter. Also, I really like the MERV 11 filters that I have been using.

[MidWestIA]

as long as not dirty or moldy I use a blower on mine. You can get them online

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Originally Posted by royalex

Anyone have experience with the washable furnace filters? Thinking about buying the one you simply hose off and reuse. My only concern is will this create a perfect situation for mold.

I’ve used them in previous homes with no problems. Suggestion: if you’re concerned about mold in damp filter after washing, keep an old disposable one to use for the time the permanent one is drying, or buy two to swap out.

[thatshowiroll]

I have had washable filter for 22 years. Same one! Just rinse both sides with garden hose, let dry (use paper filter till dry) and you are done
No mold if u let dry for a couple of hours in sun.

[ellenwelsh]

I had the washable filter in my prior home. Easy easy, put it in the dishwasher. Only problem - remembering to do it. Now I have the throwaways delivered every six months from Amazon. The arrival is my reminder that it’s time to change it.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ellenwelsh

I had the washable filter in my prior home. Easy easy, put it in the dishwasher. Only problem - remembering to do it. Now I have the throwaways delivered every six months from Amazon. The arrival is my reminder that it’s time to change it.

If they are aluminium, I would not put them into the dishwasher. Aluminium gives off a black residue when washed in a dishwasher. I believe it is caused by the dishwasher detergent.