Do Air Vent Filters Restrict Airflow

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While AC and furnace units do a decent job of filtering air impurities on their own, return vent filters can help in this by interim every bit the first line of defense. Granted, regular air filters take their use simply a secondary option could be the step you demand to continue your HVAC organization make clean and efficient.

Return vent filters tin help with this– the starting time step at straining for dust and other floating debris.

Below are details concerning return vent filters, when y'all should use them, and what y'all tin can expect.

How do return air vent filters work?

Render vent filters human activity as the outset layer of protection to forestall air pollutants and other nasty particulates from getting into the air you exhale.

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

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

Return vent filter sizes

Return vents come in many different sizes. Depending on the size of your render vent, you may demand a certain size air filter. The size of your air filter can be determined by looking at the old air filter.

If the quondam air filter isn't available, then you lot'll need iii different measurements: length, width, and depth. They can be measured by opening the render vent and measuring the sides:

Measure the short side. For example, the curt side could exist 15-1/two″
Measure the long size. For example, the long side could be 24-1/2″
Mensurate the depth. For example, the depth could be seven/8″
Round up the measurement. The size of filter that you demand to society would exist 16″x25″x1″

Need a specific filter size?

Using the Filter Male monarch's filter pick tool, y'all can dial in exactly the size, thickness, and MERV rating y'all're looking for.

Customize Filter Size

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Benefits of return vent filters

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

The first line of defense – Vent filters work every bit the first guard confronting impurities from the air being circulated within your domicile. Ordinary filters certainly have their employ, but some situations may phone call for a backup on your render vent to pre-filter the air in your abode.
Like shooting fish in a barrel to switch out – Due to its location, information technology's much easier to modify out return vent filters than your primary filter. Many homes take their HVAC units in the attic, so you lot won't need to make every bit many trips up there to switch out filters.
Protection for ductwork– Return vent filters foreclose particulates such as dust and hair from ever entering your HVAC ductwork. Detect dust building up in your ducts? The easiest mode to get rid of this trouble is to merely embrace the return grill with a vent filter.
Protection for master air filter – Using a return vent filter will extend the life of the master air filter at your HVAC unit. 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.

If yous have pets, incoming particles such as hair and dander might dirty upwardly your ductwork. Using a return vent filter kit volition aid in filtering out pet hair before it even makes contact with your dwelling house'south HVAC system.

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

Using a MERV-two or MERV-three filter in your return vent works well if you already take a pleated filter at your HVAC unit. Fiberglass filters work well equally pre-filters in return vents because they take low MERV ratings.

True Blue Air Filter

This MERV-ii air filter comes in a pack of 12 and is a great solution for return vents. It allows for a practiced amount of airflow and is easy to bandy out.

Cheque Price

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Why should y'all apply an air filter with a low MERV rating? Information technology's all almost airflow. If you utilise high MERV-rated filters at your return vent AND at your HVAC unit, and so you run the risk of having depression airflow issues.

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

If there is no air filter at your HVAC unit, and then you admittedly demand a return vent filter. Nosotros recommend using a MERV-v to MERV-viii pleated air filter in your render vent. In this case, the return vent filter will be the main air filter. So it will serve as the only line of defense against dust and particles entering your HVAC organisation.

Should you lot utilise a filter in your return vent?

For most homes, return vents filters are suggested. They typically won't cause whatever damage to your HVAC system and are easy to install – at that place's no need for an HVAC technician.

Besides having a good main filter, render vent filters can resolve this problem immediately upon placing ane on the vent. Check to ensure that your air conditioner doesn't have issues with getting air through the vents in the first place; if so, the filter could cake your airflow. Yet if your Ac is in tip-peak shape, it's more than ready for a return vent filter upgrade.

Here are some reasons why vent filters are recommended:

Fast setup time – You can take your vent filter's 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 domicile'south fundamental HVAC system. You'll see a difference in air quality immediately, especially if you utilize them on all of your vent grilles. Merely recall to alter them often (about once a month), especially if they get really dirty.
Works with more than air conditioners – Vent filters are bully when used on some fans and even heaters, so long as the filter isn't too close to the heat source. If you have a forced-air heater or Ac with duct tubing, try placing a filter on its return vent to cut dorsum on the dust that'south commonly spread past such systems.

When NOT to utilise a return vent filter

Sometimes, problems could be with an Air-conditioning system that return vent filters can't prepare. This could include openings in the ducts or tubing that'south improperly sealed. In this instance, no amount of filters volition prepare the problem.

Furthermore, if there'due south whatsoever sort of erosion to the duct interior, a vent filter won't work since air could laissez passer through the area with the opening. Whatever issues with your furnace or Air conditioning itself could forestall air from traveling past the vents properly, forcing it to work harder to heat/cool your home.

In short, ensure that your system and its vents are assuasive air to catamenia properly before setting upwards a return vent filter.

Cutting to fit air filters

If your return vent is an odd shape or size, then you lot tin use cut-to-fit air filters. These types of filters ordinarily come with velcro strips to concur them to your vent.

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

Vent Filter & Vent Register Filters Kit

These air filters cutting and stick easily with included velcro. They are efficient enough to filter out common household particles, but likewise lightweight plenty to accept minimal touch on on airflow.

Check Toll

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How to install a return vent filter

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

Make clean the vent – Turn off your HVAC unit of measurement and open up the vent grille. Clean the duct and decide whether or not yous want to place it within or outside of the grille. In some cases, it might be necessary for y'all to keep information technology on the inside, more than so if your filter'due south tape doesn't concord well.
Cut to shape – Many return vent filter brands consist of rolls, where you must cut it to arrange to the shape of your vent. Apply the record first, ensuring that you don't overlap the fins on the grille. To get the best cutting possible, use scissors and a straight edge to measure out out the shape.
Press to adhere – Printing 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 need to hold it down.

Vent filters are sometimes poorly shaped and require that the user cut them to mimic the shape of their vent covering. Although easy to do, this tin can brand changing 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 starting time place.

If you are having air quality issues, then supply vent filters volition simply mask the trouble without really making it go abroad. If there is dust blowing out of your supply vent, and so in that location is a bigger event with your arrangement. Your system might have an air leak, and dingy air is leaking in from your garage or attic. Or the arrangement might exist very dirty and require a thorough cleaning.

Return vent filters do the opposite, they help filter out contaminants from ever entering your organization in the showtime place. A return vent filter volition go along your air handler, ducts, and coils make clean by filtering out particulates at the point of air intake. For some homeowners, a return vent filter could be the solution that keeps their HVAC system running clean and efficiently.