Clogged Return Air Fix

[cabinetman]

The return air register for our A/C is a 2' x 2', and is about 4" from the floor. We have two German Shepherds, and three cats. A clean pleated filter has to be changed weekly, if not sooner. It fills up with pet hair in a day or two.

The picture on the left is the register, and on the right, a clean filter:
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This picture of the filter is after a few days:
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So, I went to HD and picked up a DIY screen kit, and made a frame to cover the register. I used mirror mounting clips at the bottom that the frame just slides in. For the top, I used a cabinet door magnet. Now, all I have to do is remove the screen and brush it off. Here is the screen after one day:
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And here is the screen when clean:
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[tommyt654]

Good idea, looks to work well

[Shep]

Good idea. A couple years ago I decided to upgrade to a cleanable filter. Now I don't have to worry about buying new filters. I'm sure the screen you have would be easier to clean though.

[TB Roye]

We have washable filter that is cleaned weekly. 3 dogs, 2 short hair and 1 long hair, 3 cats you need it. We also have Dyson Animal that is used almost daily. The Dyson does the most good, The AC filter seems to get more dust than dog hair. If you have pets you gotta clean more often. You would be suprised how much the short hair dogs shed.
Good idea, but I would be concerned on how the screen would impact the return airflow though.
Tom

[toolguy1000]

The return air register for our A/C is a 2' x 2', and is about 4" from the floor. We have two German Shepherds, and three cats. A clean pleated filter has to be changed weekly, if not sooner. It fills up with pet hair in a day or two.

The picture on the left is the register, and on the right, a clean filter:
.
[ATTACH]17999[/ATTACH][ATTACH]18000[/ATTACH]

This picture of the filter is after a few days:
.
[ATTACH]18001[/ATTACH]
.
So, I went to HD and picked up a DIY screen kit, and made a frame to cover the register. I used mirror mounting clips at the bottom that the frame just slides in. For the top, I used a cabinet door magnet. Now, all I have to do is remove the screen and brush it off. Here is the screen after one day:
.
[ATTACH]18002[/ATTACH]
.
And here is the screen when clean:
.
[ATTACH]18003[/ATTACH]

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that could be very useful for my home made shop air filter (a 1" HVAC filter attached to the inlet side of a 20" box fan). would you be good enough to post either the sku or bar code for the product you used? thanks.

[cabinetman]

that could be very useful for my home made shop air filter (a 1" HVAC filter attached to the inlet side of a 20" box fan). would you be good enough to post either the sku or bar code for the product you used? thanks.

This was the screen kit.

I already had some fiberglass screening, and a spline roller.

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[chopnhack]

That is a great solution, very good thinking! A very cheap pre filter that seems to work well. kudos

[Pappy]

I also have pets. A Pit mix and a pair of Turkish Van cats.

I have 2 return registers that are an odd size (18x20). Several years ago I started getting commercial filter material cut to fit from a company that was on my route at the time. Although they have moved, I still get my filters from them. I buy 24 at a time and change them the first of every month. As the filters get dirtier during the month the air flow becomes more restricted and the AC has to work harder to maintain the house temp.

Your 'pre-filter' idea should make them a stay cleaner through the end of the cycle. I may try it on one register to see how much difference it makes. Cleaning the screens a couple of times a week should help the filters stay cleaner and increase the air flow over the month. Could help on the electric bill a little, too.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

Regarding pre-filter use on a shop air filter -

I cut the blue fiber in cheap furnace filters like this one ...


and place behind the grate / before the filter elements in my li'l Delta air filter.

It will catch a lot of the dust before it gets to the main filter. Throw the cheap insert away, cut a new one, and keep sawing.

- Lonnie

[cabinetman]

Regarding pre-filter use on a shop air filter -

I cut the blue fiber in cheap furnace filters like this one ...


and place behind the grate / before the filter elements in my li'l Delta air filter.

It will catch a lot of the dust before it gets to the main filter. Throw the cheap insert away, cut a new one, and keep sawing.

- Lonnie

That's a good tip...thanks.

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