how to buy cheap furnace filters

[solon]

I know cheap furnace filters must be out there, but I can't find them.

If you go to Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc, you will find furnace filters in the $5-15 range. That's crazy expensive and I can't justify spending that much. So instead... I just spent two hours searching the internet. I tried Amazon, half a dozen specialty websites, even several sites for stores in China. No joy.

I'm thinking HVAC contractors must have a source of cheap filters. They couldn't stay in business if they had to pay retail prices. Do you know a HVAC contractor? Could you ask them where they get their filters?

[bmjohnson35]

I personally shop online.  I don't stick with any one supplier.  I buy a year or two supply at a time.

[RH]

It's only $5...you can save money elsewhere in life.

[GuitarStv]

You can just buy a washable/reusable metal one and never buy them again.  That's what we did ages ago.

[Frankies Girl]

I get a 3 pack of the pleated filters (True Blue, FPR 5 rating) at HD for like $10? I don't see it on the actual site which is super weird as I did just get it in early October. They are selling the singles for $4.47 on the site but that's not what I paid at all.

Found the link:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/True-Blue-20-in-x-25-in-x-1-in-Basic-Pleated-FPR-5-Air-Filters-3-Pack-HD9220251/100191613?MERCH=REC-_-pip_alternatives-_-100352753-_-100191613-_-N

I change them every 2 months. I have had no issues with them. I used to use the $15 fancy ones and the house seems exactly the same level of dust/whatever since changing to these. I see a few negative reviews due to them collapsing inwards with the air flow but I imagine it is related to them getting damaged/smooshed or installing them in slightly to small openings and still expecting cardboard framing to hold up to strong air pressure as I've had that happen with a few over the years.

I have gotten a good deal in Aldi on the fancy Dupont pleated filters as well, but they only have them like 2X a year and my size is super common and sells out fast.

[Sibley]

I just bought this one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-16-in-x-25-in-Basic-Household-Pleated-FPR-4-Air-Filter-3-Pack-Case-of-4-64300-011625/203225777?cm_mmc=ecc-_-STH_OUT_FOR_DELIVERY-_-V1_M1_CA-_-Product_URL&ecc_ord=WG19192499

I'm good for a year. Got 12 filters for $34 (including tax/shipping).

[alsoknownasDean]

It's only $5...you can save money elsewhere in life.

The rate of return is especially poor if OP is putting two hours into researching a cheaper option.

[terran]

I've bought a 6 or 12 pack for $36 on amazon when we owned our house. I'd look there.

[MudPuppy]

You can just buy a washable/reusable metal one and never buy them again.  That's what we did ages ago.

Would you mind telling more about this? Sounds like it might be a good option for our household outside of allergy season.

[foghorn]

Maybe try these two places.  I have had good luck with both.

https://yourfilterconnection.com

https://www.filters-now.com

[moneypitfeeder]

If you do go the disposable route, I got a set of 12 (merv 11) filters for just about $4.73 a piece from the big "A" shopping site. Nice quality, less than the big box hdwr stores nearby. They were Glasfloss Z-Line Series.

[GuitarStv]

You can just buy a washable/reusable metal one and never buy them again.  That's what we did ages ago.

Would you mind telling more about this? Sounds like it might be a good option for our household outside of allergy season.

They're metal looking, and cost us around 30 or 40$.  They are electrostatic and seem to work really well.  Every two or three months you just pull 'em out and hose them off in the tub.  Lots of dust will blast out.  Then set them somewhere to dry for a couple hours and pop 'em back in.  If your Home Depot doesn't carry them, I'm sure you can find some online.

The waste from paper filters always bothered me.

[norajean]

Partly depends on what size filters you need. We like Costco for filters and prefer paper as the metal type are too coarse to remove much dust, pollen, etc.

[MudPuppy]

@GuitarStv thank you!

Are any in your household asthma and allergy sufferers? We are (mostly me) and tend to use HEPA  in the heavy months and  regular otherwise.

[GuitarStv]

@GuitarStv thank you!

Are any in your household asthma and allergy sufferers? We are (mostly me) and tend to use HEPA  in the heavy months and  regular otherwise.

My wife and I both have allergies at various times of the year.  I didn't notice any significant difference going from HEPA filters to the electrostatic one.  YMMV on that though.

[projekt]

I’ve been told by multiple hvac people that the cheap fiberglass filters are the way to go as they don’t interfere with airflow. If you want allergen filtration, it’s better to install one of those 5” filters, or just use room HEPA filters.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flanders-PrecisionAire-16-x-20-x-1-Nested-Fiberglass-Filters-4-Pack-10057-011620/202056099

[big_owl]

I set up an Amazon subscription to send 4pks every 4mo.  Otherwise I'll forget to do it and end up changing them twice a year.  The subscription combined with a monthly reminder on my phone keeps me on track and makes sure I always have filters in stock.  I've never found much difference between different types of filters but we don't suffer from any allergies so I might just not notice it.

[G-String]

You guys change yours monthly?  I only change mine 3-4 times a year and even when I change the filter it looks brand new. 

[Sibley]

You guys change yours monthly?  I only change mine 3-4 times a year and even when I change the filter it looks brand new.

I change mine monthly (gets a little weird in summer when I mostly don't use ac). Every time I pull it out, it's noticeably dirty. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

[wageslave23]

You guys change yours monthly?  I only change mine 3-4 times a year and even when I change the filter it looks brand new.

Depends on if you have pets, carpeting, etc. 

[EricEng]

I get a 3 pack of the pleated filters (True Blue, FPR 5 rating) at HD for like $10? I don't see it on the actual site which is super weird as I did just get it in early October. They are selling the singles for $4.47 on the site but that's not what I paid at all.

I do same.  About $3.50 a filter isn't too bad.  In a previous house I also modified filter inlet so we could use super deep filters (4-6 inches) instead of normal skinny.  They last longer, less strain on blower, although each is more expensive it comes out ahead.

[guitar_stitch]

You can just buy a washable/reusable metal one and never buy them again.  That's what we did ages ago.

Be careful with those.  If you have an electronically commutated blower motor and the washable creates static pressure in the air handler, you will kill the module.  At $300 a pop, I've taken to just buying a 6 pack of MERV 8 filters on Amazon for $35 once a year.

[GuitarStv]

You can just buy a washable/reusable metal one and never buy them again.  That's what we did ages ago.

Be careful with those.  If you have an electronically commutated blower motor and the washable creates static pressure in the air handler, you will kill the module.  At $300 a pop, I've taken to just buying a 6 pack of MERV 8 filters on Amazon for $35 once a year.

I wonder if this is specific to the brand/type.  We've been running ours for 11 years with no problems.

[PDXTabs]

If you go to Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc, you will find furnace filters in the $5-15 range. That's crazy expensive and I can't justify spending that much.

I just paid $33 for six 3M MERV 5 filters shipped to my house from Amazon. $22 a year is too much? I'd say roll on with your life.

[trygeek]

I buy the middle of the road pleated filters and this filter charger https://amzn.to/36xj8O9
 which converts your regular filter to electrostatic so it makes  more dust stick.

[sonofsven]

I'm a contractor so I'm used to buying from nondescript wholesalers, but that's where I'd look: where the HVAC contractors buy from.

[solon]

I'm a contractor so I'm used to buying from nondescript wholesalers, but that's where I'd look: where the HVAC contractors buy from.

This is the actual question in the OP. Where do you buy your filters from? Do they have a website?

[sonofsven]

I'm a contractor so I'm used to buying from nondescript wholesalers, but that's where I'd look: where the HVAC contractors buy from.

This is the actual question in the OP. Where do you buy your filters from? Do they have a website?

Sorry, I don't buy filters personally as I heat exclusively with wood.
My point was not well made. These wholesalers do not have websites for sales, many do not have signs on their business to indicate what the business is!
In order to buy from them you first have to figure out who and where they are. Any medium or large size city is going to have multiple distributers to supply the local trades.
Call HVAC contractors and ask where they get their supplies.
Call the wholesaler and do a "will call" order, ideally pay over phone, drive to wholesaler and pick up at the "will call" counter.

[Rylito]

PTF