Reusable Furnace Filter - Is it a good idea?

[midwesterner1982]

What say you, fellow Mustachians?  It certainly sounds like a Mustachian idea.  Instead of throwing out the paper filter and buying new you just wash off the reusable filter and replace.  The reusable filters I've seen on Amazon have MERV=8 while you can get much higher MERV ratings in some disposable filters.
 So if you have allergies that may be a concern.
 Does the air flow as freely as a disposable filter or does it cause extra drag on the furnace/AC unit?http://static.squarespace.com/static/51573c9de4b02f77ba75b930/t/516f3f9ae4b06a85f4f2ef9d/1369979298074/Merv_Rating_Chart.gif

https://www.amazon.com/Air-Care-16x20x1-Electrostatic-Washable-Furnace/dp/B0013QYB3W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1517307179&sr=8-5&keywords=reusable+furnace+filter+16x20x1

[midwesterner1982]

Oops, found another thread where this was answered:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/washable-furnace-air-filters/

I also looked around the interwebs a bit.  The HVAC forums recommended using the cheap, non-pleated, throwaways which was echoed on the above MMM link.  Their reasoning was they do what they're supposed to do, protect the equipment.   The fancier pleated throwaways and electrostatic reusables can restrict too much airflow which makes the equipment inefficient and could reduce lifespan.

[Thegoblinchief]

My experience is only with the electrostatic system that was in our house when we bought it back in 2006 but it sucked. Even the cheapest throwaway filters grabbed more dust. On the advice of our HVAC guy we use a relatively high MERV Filtrete 4” thick filter, which fits the same box as the previous system. We also have to use some air purifiers as well.

[Heroes821]

I used these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0115OE6PY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019SC1LEE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

in our last house.   I have no idea of the long term potential issues with the HVAC system, we were renting and I didn't think that was an issue to begin with.   The problem is our new house couldn't fit them the ones I had bought.


This is entirely anecdotal, but my wife has extremely sever allergies, like sinus infections once a month a minimum even after sinus surgery.  There was a marked reduction in her allergy symptoms (4 pets + pollen) after we put these filters in. 

[SimpleCycle]

Our HVAC guy recommends the cheapest available filters unless you have allergies.