Thanks for your comments. I agree with them all. No one should attempt any mechanical work they do not have knowledge about. It can be dangerous for the equipment, and, as you said, even dangerous for themselves.

As far as filters go, from what I’ve seen in the general retail market, slowing down the air flow isn’t going to be too much of a problem. Unfortunately, most of the filters provided by the box stores and discount retailers aren’t that great to begin with. All the more reason to change them more regularly. Also, furnaces with reusable filters often have even worse filtration factors. Newer units, of course, will provide better filters. But, even as of three years ago, reusable filters in name brand units were only MERV 8.

Thanks again for the insights and the recommendations.

Dawn

Thanks for your comments. I agree with them all. No one should attempt any mechanical work they do not have knowledge about. It can be dangerous for the equipment, and, as you said, even dangerous for themselves.

As far as filters go, from what I’ve seen in the general retail market, slowing down the air flow isn’t going to be too much of a problem. Unfortunately, most of the filters provided by the box stores and discount retailers aren’t that great to begin with. All the more reason to change them more regularly. Also, furnaces with reusable filters often have even worse filtration factors. Newer units, of course, will provide better filters. But, even as of three years ago, reusable filters in name brand units were only MERV 8.

Thanks again for the insights and the recommendations.

Dawn

I am writing in regards to the article that you wrote entitled “Greening Up Your Existing Furnace”. I think it is great that you are trying to help people save money on their existing systems but a couple things in your article are of great concern to me.

1- In tip #4 you mention that you should replace your filter approximately ever three months. This is a common misconception mainly due to filter manufacturers with “Laboratory test” that say good for three months. The Average homeowner should check their filter every month. Dirty Filters have been the cause of carbon monoxide deaths in some states, so please have them check them monthly.

2- In tip #4 you also mention that better filters will help to get more contaminants out of the air stream. This is true BUT one thing a lot of people do not understand is that it slows down the air ( as you stated) but this means it can take twice as long sometimes to heat and cool your home, how green is that? The average duct system is not designed for thick filters which in turn will kill your equipment faster.

3- This is the part of the article that disturbs me the most. You tell the customer that if they feel comfortable to remove parts of the furnace to do so. Did you know that certain parts of the furnace if you put them back together wrong they can actually cause an explosion? Taking parts out of the furnace should be left in the hands of trained and certified professionals. Instead of telling your home owners to do this themselves you should have them look for certified NATE contractors in the local area.

If you have questions for articles in the future please feel free to contact me for any information that I may be able to find for you.

Joey Lowe

JLowe@GundlachCo.com

Indoor Air Quality Advisor
Gundlach Plb & Htg
(804)-288-1951
http://www.GundlachCo.com

I am writing in regards to the article that you wrote entitled “Greening Up Your Existing Furnace”. I think it is great that you are trying to help people save money on their existing systems but a couple things in your article are of great concern to me.

1- In tip #4 you mention that you should replace your filter approximately ever three months. This is a common misconception mainly due to filter manufacturers with “Laboratory test” that say good for three months. The Average homeowner should check their filter every month. Dirty Filters have been the cause of carbon monoxide deaths in some states, so please have them check them monthly.

2- In tip #4 you also mention that better filters will help to get more contaminants out of the air stream. This is true BUT one thing a lot of people do not understand is that it slows down the air ( as you stated) but this means it can take twice as long sometimes to heat and cool your home, how green is that? The average duct system is not designed for thick filters which in turn will kill your equipment faster.

3- This is the part of the article that disturbs me the most. You tell the customer that if they feel comfortable to remove parts of the furnace to do so. Did you know that certain parts of the furnace if you put them back together wrong they can actually cause an explosion? Taking parts out of the furnace should be left in the hands of trained and certified professionals. Instead of telling your home owners to do this themselves you should have them look for certified NATE contractors in the local area.

If you have questions for articles in the future please feel free to contact me for any information that I may be able to find for you.

Joey Lowe

JLowe@GundlachCo.com

Indoor Air Quality Advisor
Gundlach Plb & Htg
(804)-288-1951
http://www.GundlachCo.com