Most Cost Efficient HVAC Air Filters

[jackiechiles2]

We bought a house back in August and have been replacing the HVAC air filters every 3 months or so.  We have three unit-one per floor-but don't really use the third floor so I don't heat or cool it, so I haven't replaced those.

That said, we've got one air filter on the first floor and two on the second.  I think over time a reusable air filter might save more money than buying the cheap ones at Wal-Mart.  I've also had a bit of a difficulty finding cheap air filters for the second floor (14x20) at my local Wal-Mart for some reason.

Anyone have any advice on where to buy cheaper air filters and/or whether it would make sense to buy reusable air filters?

[zolotiyeruki]

How much are you currently paying for your filters?

Our Thermostat has a feature that counts the running hours for the HVAC system, and tells you to replace the filters every 500 running hours.  That way it compensates for mild weather when the system may not be running as frequently.  We have a single unit for the whole house, and I replace the 20x25 filters twice per year, roughly.

[jackiechiles2]

How much are you currently paying for your filters?

Our Thermostat has a feature that counts the running hours for the HVAC system, and tells you to replace the filters every 500 running hours.  That way it compensates for mild weather when the system may not be running as frequently.  We have a single unit for the whole house, and I replace the 20x25 filters twice per year, roughly.

I think it's something like $6 apiece, so we're looking at around $72 a year, give or take, replacing them.  I've seen the washable electrostatic ones for around $50 apiece, so that'd be $150 or so on the filters.  So, we'd have a repayment time of a little over 2 years.  I'm not sure if the electrostatic ones are more energy efficient though. In a perfect world, I'd be able to combine more efficient and cheaper over the long run.

[Arktinkerer]

You can try shopping at a heat and air supply shop or appliance parts shop.  One here has bulk buys on filters. 

[Loretta]

I realize this is an old thread but I found it by searching...  Still curious, how much is a good price for a pretty standard size, good quality, hvac filter?  Pre COVID my HOA building would change our filters for us twice a year and used what I would call builder's grade quality filters.  Now I am focusing on this area more as they stopped doing this service for us in COVID times. 

I bought two 6-pack boxes of 16x20 filters off Amazon and the price per filter comes out to be something like $5-6 per filter.  I do NOT use my hvac in the winter because I am mostly surrounded by other units who are using their heat to heat up my place, but I do use the AC in summer.  The ones I purchased from Amazon are 3M Filtrete Clean Living MERV 5 and the other one (unopened) is AirX Allergy MERV 11.  I want to use better quality than the HOA has been providing. 

[norajean]

Check the filter and replace only when dirty. Paper is best. Low MERV is fine.

[ctuser1]

I need 24X24X1, which appears to be an uncommon size.

The cheapest I found so far is:
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/heating-and-cooling/air-quality/air-filters/44921

$2.59 a pop.

I am sure they will have the other size(s) you may need.

This chain I linked is local (CT+NY only). But you might be able to find similar no-nonsense-or-frills hardware stores around you that will sell these things cheap.

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I purchased a couple of dozens at one go 3 years ago when I got a sale somewhere online @ < $2 per filter. I still have 5-6 left from that haul. I'll probably snap up another such sale when/if I find it.

[lthenderson]

Our house came with a reusuable filter in it ten years ago when I bought it and I've been using it every since. I take it out once a month and clean it. I don't know what the PERV rating is but since I can see my hand through it, I'm guessing it is 1. Me personally, I've never been sold on the idea of having a high rated PERV value. The higher the number, the more restrictive the flow and the harder it is on your blower to move the air. We don't have allergies and I have always felt that one of the reasons people do have allergies is by disinfecting the world in which they spend most of their time, be it a countertop or the air we breath.

[better late]

I realize this is an old thread but I found it by searching...

Seeing this thread made me happy - it’s how I stumbled on MMM a few years ago. Googled something about furnace filters, found financial independence.

Our local Costco has filters in a few sizes, including the one we use. If you are a member you might check there.

[SndcxxJ]

Definitely call around to your local HVAC warehouses.  I buy filters by the case and find the price is a quarter of what they run at home Depot and hardware stores.

[sealab2021]

I have a new year old HVAC system, I buy them from Amazon in a 6 pack, about $3 per filter. Be sure to write the date on them so you don’t forget to change them. They are not high end, as far as I’m concerned they are adequate and inexpensive. They work just fine.