Review and impressions on the Aprilaire Furnace Air Cleaner. Instructions on how to change the filter on a Model 2410 with a Model 412 replacement media.
*We liked it **Fastly.Cool** so much in the basement, we bought a second one for the main level. The amount of moisture it pulls out of the air is astonishing.*
1:31 Matt, love your videos. Came across this oldie, and noticed the filter you took out was installed backwards. 🤣 Your poker face was great. Didn’t even hesitate.
LOVE the Aprilaire filter we installed with our new Trane system ! (incredible savings on utilities vs. the 30 yr old units replaced, AC in particular ) This air filter is fantastic and was evident right away on glass tables for example that went from dusting several times a week to hardly at all. POINT I would to add is the original MERV 13 filter caused the blower to work much harder, often at top speed. Changed to a MERV 8 and still dust free, much less stress on the blower. Long enough story but i keep a 13 in case someone should have Flu or other nasty virus which seems to be the primary benefit along with smoke but we are non smokers and have a near commercial grade hood over the stove. I suggest reading up on MERV ratings before selecting your filter, you might find that MERV 8 is all you need. BTW I find changing twice per yr. winter / summer is best with pets like the long coat German Shepherd fur factory pictured. -Next, Aprilaire digital, bypass humidifier... Awesome upgrade !
Matt, I just love your blog and always interesting building science info. One thing I wish always got mentioned in filter discussions is the issue of pressure drop of the filter. Disregard of this and Total External Static Pressure is one of the biggest faux pas I can think of in building science. I'd love to know the figure for this Aprilaire filter.
I would discourage you from leaving your fan set to ON if you live in a hot/humid climate. You will have a tough time controlling your humidity with the fan set to ON. Here's why; the coil with get cold and condense moisture but the temp will be satisfied so the coil will warm and with the fan set to ON all that moisture will re-evaporate rather than flowing into your condensate drain. I'd suggest setting to CIRCulate instead. If humidity isn't a problem then ON is ok.
I have a Lennox system with a similar filter (5" MERV 16) and an ECM motor. I just leave the fan blowing at all times. I hooked up my ammeter to it once and calculated that it would cost me no more than $50 over a five year period to just leave it running. On my previous HVAC (which was very old and had a big blower motor) it would run me $3000 over five years.
I have a 5 inch one from Honeywell and use the Nordic Pure MERV 13 filter with charcoal. I use a cheap one inch fiberglass filter at the return. It keeps the return duct clean and keeps the filter from getting clogged with larger particles. The air is so much cleaner in my house. People always compliment how clean the air smells. So many techs still tell people to use the cheap filters only for better airflow, but if the system is installed right airflow will not be an issue. Cheap filters get your duct work and coil dirty.
Matt - excellent tutorial & product review. Really enjoyed it. I have similar setup in my conditioned crawl space with a Trane TAM8 air handler on one side of the Aprilaire air cleaner box & the supply air duct on the other. Have question for you: I have a 2210 (#213) Aprilaire media filter that looks exactly the same on both sides. Apparently, my HVAC maintenance guy doesn't seem to think it matters because the pleats look the same on both sides. Does it matter if I don't follow the airflow arrow on the filter?
Oooh good question. I would generally respect the arrow for flow, however in my recollection I can't remember there being a difference between side A or B. If they look the same I would say it's OK. Best, Matt
CassieandVuTran Yes it does matter. Always observe the airflow arrow. The filter material gets progressively denser so it can trap larger particles in entering side, then smaller particles in exiting side.
If you install the filter backward (arrow pointing away from the furnace) the most common problem you will experience is inefficiency in your heating and cooling. If your blower is made to draw air through the non-porous part of the filter, it will use more energy and it will work harder than it should. The blower will be overburdened and your heating/cooling bills will increase. In addition, you will have a reduction in your indoor air quality. Air filters are designed to eliminate undesired debris, but only when they are installed in the proper airflow direction as indicated on the filter. If you put your filter in backward, the collecting end of the filter will be facing the wrong way. Your filter will unwantedly keep dust and debris in the air. This will result in a clogged air filter and breathing improperly cleaned air that is getting into your home.
Matt, I have this system and I LOATHE IT! I change that 310 filter every 3 months, which is POCKET GOUGING for a $50+ filter. I have a great Dyson vacuume. A dog that gets a bath every 3 days and a newborn. I keep and immaculate home, I vacuume and wipe down all of my intake and return vents every weekend even occasionally spraying off the outside unit to prevent dust and dirt build up . I just had my condenser replaced 2 years after buying my house. I do not understand what I'm doing wrong here. This hunk I junk is killing me. Is it really a great air system or is this all user error? I do have my fan running because I have a 2 story that doesn't cool in this Texas heat. Help, 🙏 please!
That is a good point. My system has a communicating thermostat and will turn on to the lower stage AC to dehumidify the air. It will do this even if the temp is satisfied. From my observation, it will dehumidify until the temp is two degrees less than the set point. I will try the system on "circulate" to see if I notice a difference.
Hi Matt, I am concerned because I am looking at the Aprilaire media air cleaner that is in this video. My system, the Aprilaire 2310 was installed horizontally not vertically. The air flow will come in and flow downward thru the Aprilaire system and then to the right and up into the Trane air handler. Is that a common installation?
I have the same issue.. it seems the extra pleat on that extends beyond the plastic frame which is supposed to block air from circumventing the filter will be ineffective if installed vertically. Did you ever figure this out?
I know this is an old one but... we just moved from NE San Antonio to home on 5 acres south near Floresville a few months ago and was looking around the attic and found out that our AC uses this media Filter right now there is just a 3M brand in it but we never knew it existed and have just changed the 3 in the hallways. There is a large 20x30 near dinning area and two 12x12 at each end of the hallway. If we use a quality media filter are we still suppose to use the three regular 1 inch filters in the hallways as well?
My Trane variable speed A/C unit uses two AprilAire 413 filters…during the summer months I change them every 60 days whether they need it or not…$100 for two filters isn’t cheap but neither is my $25,000 dollar HVAC unit…
Call me silly but I like a filter that gets dirty sooner rather than later because that shows me it's working BU if I was doing this work every day then I might give anything that is EASY big points. Tough call. I like scientific measurements and stuff.
I wish people in the industry would stop saying these filters last 6 months to a year. Theres not a single house that I would recommend doing that for, unless the house is absolutely spotless at all times. For the most part these last maybe 3-4 months on most houses we come across.
If you use the cheapo filters at the return and these, the media filter will last a year. I have been using one by Honeywell for 3 years now I replace yearly and it works great, so much better than the 1 inch filters.
They don't! I keep an immaculate home. We're talking weekly deep cleans. washed baseboards, wiped intakes and returns, wash and shampoo carpets, bedding is washed, laundry done daily, Dyson vacuum ran, everything dusted and I still have to replace this filter every 3 months. This isn't that great, they are terrible and over priced.
Do all units in the attic have these filters?? No one has ever told us to change a filter up there, but tonight, I was looking for quality air filters, merv 11 to 13 and pricing, reading reviews etc. This is when I started wondering if there is a filter on that unit in the attic! We don't have regular service (we should, I know) but we have had repair work and we did replace units etc. only the return vent filters in the house were mentioned, nothing about the attic unit though. I'm in Austin TX too. This post is so old, I wonder if Matt is still on here! :)
Yes it certainly does. Once you install the Trane Perfect Fit Media Filter or any other media filter system you don't want to have the filters in your return vents any longer because that technically puts unneeded strain on your system due to air flow restriction.
I use one like this by Honeywell and use the cheap fiberglass filters I change monthly to bi monthly at the return. If you use this alone your return air ducts will get really dirty and the media filter will likely not last a year.
It's probably relevant. I just bought a 2020 home in September of 2020 and my house came with aprilaire ac unit with the same exact filter setup. The builder gave me 3 Merv 11 filters though. The builder told me to replace them every 6 months. But i might do it ever yr lol
This was intended as a reply to Trigger Psycho, but I put it here as a general comment as I thought it would benefit others that have landed on Matt's channel. I've been in the HVAC business for 30+ years. As of December 2020 going into 2021 the Aprilaire Media Cabinets and air filters are still some of the best out there. Here is a well-made video link to their lineup of products: czcams.com/video/P19ttLBTgEo/video.html. Note: I am not a representative for Aprilaire nor do I receive anything from them for supporting their products. There are many other fine air media cabinets and filters out there, but I have never had any issue with Aprilaire products and use them in about 95% of my installations. Sometimes folks just like a cartridge (box) filter in which I usually substitute a Honeywell FC100 or FC200 series media cabinet and filter. Here is Honeywell's current media filter product line: forwardthinking.resideo.com/related_links/filtration/Sell/Filter%20Replacement%20Guide%20-%2050-1312.pdf. As with anything else in the HVAC industry, proper installation is just as important, and I would argue more important, than the the product itself. Please use a reputable contractor who has a good track record through honest reviews and a high rating through your local Better Business Bureau. Good luck!
Unless your using a hospital grade HEPA system..HVAC air filters have nothing to do with the air quality in your home even though the marketing department for most filter sellers would like you to believe otherwise. Filters are meant to keep dust out of your HVAC system components not out of your home. Since most homes are not air tight there will always be dust etc entering your home.
Electronic air cleaners produce ozone, they need to have a downstream carbon filter or some type of catalyst to destroy the ozone- it has serious health consequences otherwise... and they all produce them. Merv 13-16 pleated is the way to go
*We liked it **Fastly.Cool** so much in the basement, we bought a second one for the main level. The amount of moisture it pulls out of the air is astonishing.*
1:31 Matt, love your videos. Came across this oldie, and noticed the filter you took out was installed backwards. 🤣 Your poker face was great. Didn’t even hesitate.
Thank you so much for this video! I was able to change my filter myself without any problems. You are a blessing 👍👍
LOVE the Aprilaire filter we installed with our new Trane system ! (incredible savings on utilities vs. the 30 yr old units replaced, AC in particular ) This air filter is fantastic and was evident right away on glass tables for example that went from dusting several times a week to hardly at all. POINT I would to add is the original MERV 13 filter caused the blower to work much harder, often at top speed. Changed to a MERV 8 and still dust free, much less stress on the blower. Long enough story but i keep a 13 in case someone should have Flu or other nasty virus which seems to be the primary benefit along with smoke but we are non smokers and have a near commercial grade hood over the stove. I suggest reading up on MERV ratings before selecting your filter, you might find that MERV 8 is all you need. BTW I find changing twice per yr. winter / summer is best with pets like the long coat German Shepherd fur factory pictured. -Next, Aprilaire digital, bypass humidifier... Awesome upgrade !
Matt great advice, best air cleaner is always a media filter. Look behind you and check out that kink in the duct work.
Thanks for posting this. Very informative!!!!!
Matt, I just love your blog and always interesting building science info. One thing I wish always got mentioned in filter discussions is the issue of pressure drop of the filter. Disregard of this and Total External Static Pressure is one of the biggest faux pas I can think of in building science. I'd love to know the figure for this Aprilaire filter.
Hi Matt, this was very helpful. I just wanted to say thanks for posting. New sub here, keep up the excellent work.
Thanks for subscribing and welcome! Your comments are always appreciated! Best, Matt
I would discourage you from leaving your fan set to ON if you live in a hot/humid climate. You will have a tough time controlling your humidity with the fan set to ON. Here's why; the coil with get cold and condense moisture but the temp will be satisfied so the coil will warm and with the fan set to ON all that moisture will re-evaporate rather than flowing into your condensate drain. I'd suggest setting to CIRCulate instead. If humidity isn't a problem then ON is ok.
Sure do appreciate your video!
I have a Lennox system with a similar filter (5" MERV 16) and an ECM motor. I just leave the fan blowing at all times. I hooked up my ammeter to it once and calculated that it would cost me no more than $50 over a five year period to just leave it running. On my previous HVAC (which was very old and had a big blower motor) it would run me $3000 over five years.
I have a 5 inch one from Honeywell and use the Nordic Pure MERV 13 filter with charcoal. I use a cheap one inch fiberglass filter at the return. It keeps the return duct clean and keeps the filter from getting clogged with larger particles. The air is so much cleaner in my house. People always compliment how clean the air smells. So many techs still tell people to use the cheap filters only for better airflow, but if the system is installed right airflow will not be an issue. Cheap filters get your duct work and coil dirty.
Nice, I'm going to start using a filter at the return. Never done that before. As far as the 5in which is better, Honeywell or Nordic Pure?
Thank you, Matt!
Matt - excellent tutorial & product review. Really enjoyed it.
I have similar setup in my conditioned crawl space with a Trane TAM8 air handler on one side of the Aprilaire air cleaner box & the supply air duct on the other.
Have question for you: I have a 2210 (#213) Aprilaire media filter that looks exactly the same on both sides.
Apparently, my HVAC maintenance guy doesn't seem to think it matters because the pleats look the same on both sides.
Does it matter if I don't follow the airflow arrow on the filter?
Oooh good question. I would generally respect the arrow for flow, however in my recollection I can't remember there being a difference between side A or B. If they look the same I would say it's OK. Best, Matt
CassieandVuTran Yes it does matter. Always observe the airflow arrow. The filter material gets progressively denser so it can trap larger particles in entering side, then smaller particles in exiting side.
Was the original filter you took out, backwards? If so, would that cause the filter to get dirtier quicker?
How much damage can be caused by installing the filter backwards as the one in the video being replaced was?
If you install the filter backward (arrow pointing away from the furnace) the most common problem you will experience is inefficiency in your heating and cooling. If your blower is made to draw air through the non-porous part of the filter, it will use more energy and it will work harder than it should. The blower will be overburdened and your heating/cooling bills will increase. In addition, you will have a reduction in your indoor air quality. Air filters are designed to eliminate undesired debris, but only when they are installed in the proper airflow direction as indicated on the filter. If you put your filter in backward, the collecting end of the filter will be facing the wrong way. Your filter will unwantedly keep dust and debris in the air. This will result in a clogged air filter and breathing improperly cleaned air that is getting into your home.
Good catch. It was 8 years ago. I wonder if anyone noticed. I guess you can't have too many arrows.
@@MrBigCazzo top notch response. Couldn't of had worded it better myself.
Hey Matt!
I am so confused on the arrow of the airflow.
My system is the opposite of the filming you have on camera.
Arrow should point which way?
The arrows and wire mesh should point/facing towards the air handler…
KATHLEEN: I saw the video from Matt for replace Aprilaire .I use aprilaire310, what the number can I set from the thermostat?
Matt, I have this system and I LOATHE IT! I change that 310 filter every 3 months, which is POCKET GOUGING for a $50+ filter. I have a great Dyson vacuume. A dog that gets a bath every 3 days and a newborn. I keep and immaculate home, I vacuume and wipe down all of my intake and return vents every weekend even occasionally spraying off the outside unit to prevent dust and dirt build up . I just had my condenser replaced 2 years after buying my house. I do not understand what I'm doing wrong here. This hunk I junk is killing me. Is it really a great air system or is this all user error? I do have my fan running because I have a 2 story that doesn't cool in this Texas heat. Help, 🙏 please!
the first filter you pulled out the arrow was pointing to the return side, is that considered backwards or does it matter?
Good eye there 251 dust!
I realized about that too
Yes...And by the sound of it THIS guy installed it!!!!!!!! Just can't get good help now days!!!!!!!
lmao oh shit I didn't even notice that! Definitely a bad look lmao
Yes,
Looks like he installed the previous one backwards.
That is a good point. My system has a communicating thermostat and will turn on to the lower stage AC to dehumidify the air. It will do this even if the temp is satisfied. From my observation, it will dehumidify until the temp is two degrees less than the set point. I will try the system on "circulate" to see if I notice a difference.
Hi Matt,
I am concerned because I am looking at the Aprilaire media air cleaner that is in this video. My system, the Aprilaire 2310 was installed horizontally not vertically. The air flow will come in and flow downward thru the Aprilaire system and then to the right and up into the Trane air handler. Is that a common installation?
I have the same issue.. it seems the extra pleat on that extends beyond the plastic frame which is supposed to block air from circumventing the filter will be ineffective if installed vertically. Did you ever figure this out?
Blast in the past, younger version of Matt.
I have an aprilaire on my rheem 90%. I have severe asthma. Im interested in the electronic filter. Ty
I know this is an old one but... we just moved from NE San Antonio to home on 5 acres south near Floresville a few months ago and was looking around the attic and found out that our AC uses this media Filter right now there is just a 3M brand in it but we never knew it existed and have just changed the 3 in the hallways. There is a large 20x30 near dinning area and two 12x12 at each end of the hallway. If we use a quality media filter are we still suppose to use the three regular 1 inch filters in the hallways as well?
+BigRedFishDad Nope, not necessary. Matt
Where do you find a merv 8 as in the same size that was just put in?
My Trane variable speed A/C unit uses two AprilAire 413 filters…during the summer months I change them every 60 days whether they need it or not…$100 for two filters isn’t cheap but neither is my $25,000 dollar HVAC unit…
Call me silly but I like a filter that gets dirty sooner rather than later because that shows me it's working BU if I was doing this work every day then I might give anything that is EASY big points. Tough call. I like scientific measurements and stuff.
I wish people in the industry would stop saying these filters last 6 months to a year. Theres not a single house that I would recommend doing that for, unless the house is absolutely spotless at all times. For the most part these last maybe 3-4 months on most houses we come across.
If you use the cheapo filters at the return and these, the media filter will last a year. I have been using one by Honeywell for 3 years now I replace yearly and it works great, so much better than the 1 inch filters.
They don't! I keep an immaculate home. We're talking weekly deep cleans. washed baseboards, wiped intakes and returns, wash and shampoo carpets, bedding is washed, laundry done daily, Dyson vacuum ran, everything dusted and I still have to replace this filter every 3 months. This isn't that great, they are terrible and over priced.
My unit requires two 410/413 AprilAire filters…I change mine every 60 days…living in Georgia, summers are brutal on HVAC systems…
Haha. You look much younger than what I'm used to seeing 😀
I have Aprilaire 210 and 410 filters. Can I replace these with 213 and 413 filters?
Yes
The AprilAir filter that I have has 5 combs that you have to fit in the pleats of the filter. It takes a long time to accomplish this.
There is an upgrade kit that eliminates the “ combs”
Do all units in the attic have these filters?? No one has ever told us to change a filter up there, but tonight, I was looking for quality air filters, merv 11 to 13 and pricing, reading reviews etc. This is when I started wondering if there is a filter on that unit in the attic! We don't have regular service (we should, I know) but we have had repair work and we did replace units etc. only the return vent filters in the house were mentioned, nothing about the attic unit though. I'm in Austin TX too.
This post is so old, I wonder if Matt is still on here! :)
Does this replace the filters on return vents?
Yes it certainly does. Once you install the Trane Perfect Fit Media Filter or any other media filter system you don't want to have the filters in your return vents any longer because that technically puts unneeded strain on your system due to air flow restriction.
I use one like this by Honeywell and use the cheap fiberglass filters I change monthly to bi monthly at the return. If you use this alone your return air ducts will get really dirty and the media filter will likely not last a year.
Wow!
Is this video still relevant with current tech or can you do an update on something better?
It's probably relevant. I just bought a 2020 home in September of 2020 and my house came with aprilaire ac unit with the same exact filter setup. The builder gave me 3 Merv 11 filters though. The builder told me to replace them every 6 months. But i might do it ever yr lol
This was intended as a reply to Trigger Psycho, but I put it here as a general comment as I thought it would benefit others that have landed on Matt's channel.
I've been in the HVAC business for 30+ years. As of December 2020 going into 2021 the Aprilaire Media Cabinets and air filters are still some of the best out there. Here is a well-made video link to their lineup of products: czcams.com/video/P19ttLBTgEo/video.html. Note: I am not a representative for Aprilaire nor do I receive anything from them for supporting their products. There are many other fine air media cabinets and filters out there, but I have never had any issue with Aprilaire products and use them in about 95% of my installations. Sometimes folks just like a cartridge (box) filter in which I usually substitute a Honeywell FC100 or FC200 series media cabinet and filter. Here is Honeywell's current media filter product line: forwardthinking.resideo.com/related_links/filtration/Sell/Filter%20Replacement%20Guide%20-%2050-1312.pdf.
As with anything else in the HVAC industry, proper installation is just as important, and I would argue more important, than the the product itself. Please use a reputable contractor who has a good track record through honest reviews and a high rating through your local Better Business Bureau. Good luck!
nice
I have Aprilaire 210 and 410 filters. Can I replace these with 213 and 413 filters?
Sorry, please disregard.
Unless your using a hospital grade HEPA system..HVAC air filters have nothing to do with the air quality in your home even though the marketing department for most filter sellers would like you to believe otherwise. Filters are meant to keep dust out of your HVAC system components not out of your home. Since most homes are not air tight there will always be dust etc entering your home.
oops/filter you pulled out was in wrong. But I think you noticed that....
haha yea definitely looks like he noticed. had the opps look on his face lmao
Electronic air cleaners produce ozone, they need to have a downstream carbon filter or some type of catalyst to destroy the ozone- it has serious health consequences otherwise... and they all produce them. Merv 13-16 pleated is the way to go
A little ozone is good for odor reduction in the home unless people are sensitive to it, too much is bad.
I vac mine out with a nozzle.