Can I Put Filters On My Air Vents

Air filters or not something that you recollect near on a daily basis. Even so, they are of import to your overall indoor air quality and the wellness of your heat pump system.

Ane of the questions we are asked a lot is, "Should you put filters in your render vents?" Yes, air filters are an important function of your heat pump organisation. The air filter helps to go on your indoor air clean by removing airborne contaminants, like allergens, from the air. The air filter likewise serves as protective equipment that protects the evaporator coil inside the heat pump from condign dirty, which can cause longterm impairment to the heat pump.

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If y'all run your heat pump system without an air filter, dust, clay and other debris volition collect on the evaporator roll inside the estrus pump. During functioning of the heat pump, condensation develops on the evaporator coil. This condensation is part of the heat exchange process and has to drain away from the estrus pump.

If your evaporator gyre is dirty, this clay and droppings gets trapped in the condensation and tin can clog your belch pipe. If the discharge piping becomes clogged, condensation can non menstruum properly and could back up causing your heat pump to end working, or worse could crusade water impairment to your dwelling.

At present that you know that you need an air filter, let's examine why return air vents need filters, what type of filter you demand, and if every room needs a return vent.

If you've ever thought, I'll just run my rut pump without an air filter, don't. It's not recommended. Yous tin do real harm to your heat pump. See our commodity Tin You Run a Heat Pump Without an Air Filter.

Which Vent is the Return Vent

In virtually estrus pump setups, the return air vent will exist located near your home's thermostat. The thermostat should be located as shut to the center of the space as possible to create a balanced system.

The render air vent volition exist located on the wall, in the ceiling, or in the floor on some older homes. The render air vent is generally much larger than the supply vents located in your floor ceiling. This is considering y'all usually only have one return air vent per thermostat.

If you have a multi-zone organisation, yous take i heat pump being controlled past two thermostats. The 2 thermostat command damper doors positioned within the ductwork that open and close based on demand. In a multi-zone system you'll have 2 thermostats with one air return vent for each thermostat.

If yous were all the same unsure equally to which vet is your render vent, there is a simple task you tin practice to help you brand that determination. It'south called the tissue test. With the heat pump on, use a slice of tissue and place it up side by side to the vent. If the tissue blows away from the vet this is a supply vent. Nevertheless, if the tissue is drawn inward towards the vent this is the return vent. This is what you're looking for.

Why is the Return Air Vent Near the Thermostat

The return air vent is generally located inside 10 feet of the thermostat. The render air vent is located nearly the thermostat so that the air drawing into the heat pump system closely matches the temperature displayed on the thermostat.

The thermostat is reading the ambient temperature of the space. Thethermostat is directing the performance of the heat pump. Heat pumps will generally look to obtain a 15-20 degree temperature differential. The return drawing into the heat pump needs to match the ambient temperature for proper operation.

The render air vent comes in a multifariousness of shapes and sizes but nearly are bigger than the supply air registers. The size of your render air vent is in straight correlation to how much return air your oestrus pump needs. Here are some common sizes for render air vents:

What Type of Air Filter Do I Need

The MERV rating on air filters stands for Minimal Efficiency Reporting Value. The MERV rating starts at ane which is low-efficiency upwardly to 16 for high-efficiency. Most air filters will have a MERV rating printed on its packaging. If no rating is present it should exist assumed that it'southward a low-efficiency air filter.

Air filters with a MERV rating of 13-16 are high-efficiency air filters that are not suitable for some standard estrus pumps. Air filters with a Merv rating of eight-12 are a great option because they are suitable for well-nigh heat pumps and volition do a corking job at capturing a wide assortment of airborne contaminates.

Here are the 4 mutual types of air filters. They are:

Disposable flat fiberglass: these air filters typically take a MERV rating of four or less. They are inexpensive and are generally replaced every 30 days. These air filters are not recommended unless you are only concerned past cost.
Disposable pleated filters: These air filters Are available in a variety of MERV rating from 4-12. These filters volition typically very in price based on the MERV rating and how many contaminants the air filter will capture. These air filters are typically used for a flow of 30 to ninety days.
Electrostatic filters: electrostatic air filters are interesting in that they can be either disposable or permanent. Permanent electrostatic air filters are washable and tin last up to 8 years. Electrostatic air filters you static electricity that charges the material causing air contaminants to stick to the fibers. Plated dispensable filters are also considered to be electro static filters and actually get more effective every bit they historic period because of the build up of particles which helps cake more particles. The reverse is truthful with washable electrostatic filters considering every bit a builder occurs on the filter to filter becomes less effective.
High-efficiency pleated air (HEPA) filters: HEPA filters are thicker than the air filters that are installed at the air return. These are generally located inside the ductwork. Since these air filters are somewhat harder to maintain, information technology is mostly recommended practise you accept your heat pump on my service contract.

Does Every Room Demand a Return Vent

No, every room does not need to return vent. In most modernistic homes you would simply have one return air vent. However in some older homes, it is common to have a return air vent and a supply air vent in each room.

If you lot own an older home that has render air vents in each room, you lot likely take a cardinal location where the air filter is installed that is closer to the heat pump organisation. Most oestrus pump systems (peculiarly split systems) will have a filter slot at the finish tag where the air return duct connects to the air handler. This is likely where your air filter is located

For more information on irresolute your air filter see our article How to Locate & Supersede Your Heat Pump Filter: Stride-by-Step Guide. This footstep by step guide will help you locate and change your air filter chop-chop.

Can I Block the Return Vent?

Nigh people notice the return air vent to exist unattractive and volition ask if they hide the render air vent with furniture or a film. No, The return air vent is a very important component to your estrus pump system and cannot be obstructed. If you block the render air vent it can forestall your heat pump arrangement from working properly. The heat pump system needs the return air in order to blow air through the vents.

The manner a heat pump works, the blower fan turns on and draws air through the render across the evaporator ringlet and and so out the supply ducts. Without the render air flowing freely, you will accept little to no airflow from your vents. This will create a strain on your heat pump system which could crusade mechanical failure overtime.

If they return air vent is unattractive to yous, you tin buy decorative grills that can improve the appearance with out obstructing the flow of air through the render air vent.

In Closing

Maintaining your air filter and return air vent volition go along mode to making your heat pump final for many years. Heat pumps that accept been kept make clean and well maintained can last up to 20 years or more.

The heat pump system as one of the most expensive mechanical components within your dwelling. It'southward as well a system you practice don't desire to fail when you demand information technology nearly. It but makes sense to ensure that your heat pump organisation is well maintained and running smoothly.

If you lot demand, set a monthly reminder on your telephone to alert you when to bank check and change your air filters as needed. Buy several air filters and keep them on hand then that when information technology'due south time to replace it you can do then in an instance.

Sources:

What Is An Electrostatic Air Filter?
Choosing the Correct Air Filters Helps Go along Your HVAC System Operating Smoothly