Furnace filter question (1 Viewer)

[Stan]

Forced air gas furnace but metal pre-filters before the air enters the electronic "zappers". They're not like regular replaceable filters I could get at the hardware store.

Lots of trouble cleaning the pre-filters. I have a black lab so lots of hair sucked in. Wash/rinse, wash/rinse, vacuum, etc. still a lot of hair.

Is there a product that would dissolve the hair so I could get them totally clean?

 

[Clinton McClure]

Draino? Sorry, I have no idea...

 

[atfree]

Forced air gas furnace but metal pre-filters before the air enters the electronic "zappers". They're not like regular replaceable filters I could get at the hardware store.

Lots of trouble cleaning the pre-filters. I have a black lab so lots of hair sucked in. Wash/rinse, wash/rinse, vacuum, etc. still a lot of hair.

Is there a product that would dissolve the hair so I could get them totally clean?

My HVAC tech recommended this:

http://www.amazon.com/Foam-Coil-Cleaner-Evaporator-Condesor/dp/B007I7KZN0/ref=sr_1_1/180-2065319-6750742?ie=UTF8&qid=1442364480&sr=8-1&keywords=ac+coil+cleaner+foam

Seems to work for me.

 

[Adam Gregorich]

We have the same setup, different dog I just vacuum the initial filter (almost looks like the grease trap filter on a range hood) and then use Krud Kutter (avail at Lowes, maybe Home Depot and spray it on that and the electrostatic filter, letting it sit and then hosing it off. Rinse and repeat, until the water is no longer grey/black. There is always a bit of hair caught in the first filter. I'm too lazy to try to get it all out, but I get 95%.

 

[Clinton McClure]

Setups like that make me glad I just have a single filtered return air vent with disposable filter element.

 

[Alf S]

Ditto, but when they replaced our system years ago, the tech said my indoor return was too "small" so he up'd it to a 20" x 30" return. Well, that's great, more air movement...but the local stores (Lowes/Ace/Home Depot etc) didn't get the memo and they rarely if ever carry that size. If I get lucky and find them, I grab up a dozen or so to last me for a while.

 

[Adam Gregorich]

Its not too bad. It takes about 10-15 minutes to clean it (and that's with 2 dogs) about every 4 months.

 

[schan1269]

I have the metal prefilters at the main house. Great. Easy to clean. That is with 3 dogs(that weigh a combined 15lbs) and 2 cats.

I am replacing the furnace at the other house before long(won't produce heat...so no huge hurry, yet) and putting in the metal filter. That house has two other cats(same litter as the two at the other house). This house is..."have cats...or a mouse problem..."

 

[Stan]

We have the same setup, different dog I just vacuum the initial filter (almost looks like the grease trap filter on a range hood) and then use Krud Kutter (avail at Lowes, maybe Home Depot and spray it on that and the electrostatic filter, letting it sit and then hosing it off. Rinse and repeat, until the water is no longer grey/black. There is always a bit of hair caught in the first filter. I'm too lazy to try to get it all out, but I get 95%.

Thanks for the advice. Never heard of Krud Kutter but sounds like it will solve my problem.

The main issue is the prefilters. The electrostatic ones I just toss in the dishwasher a few times a year (lazy, but it works)

 

[Clinton McClure]

I also use 20x30 and rarely have a problem finding them at either Kroger or Walmart. Lowes and Home Depot here do not carry that size.