This is why you should install an air filter

[Ozz]

And keep it clean.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jimsue13...eat=directlink

The last picture is after I ran it through the car wash.
This was about a 2 year old furnace, tenants had not installed a filter in the system. It could have ruined a $4,000 A/C system. On the Montana's it would just reduce the airflow and burn out the fan motor. I removed a big handful of hair, lint and ?? off of the motor face when I took it out before the pictures.

This is a job I did where I removed a 'Sweater' of dog hair, lint and I-don't-even-want-to-think-of, off of the inside of the A/C coil. Again, no air filter.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Jimsue13...eat=directlink

[PapaBeav]

Ozz, I couldn't agree more. I was a gas serviceman for 34 years with PG&E out here in California and I think I have seen them all.

[Ozz]

It's amazing how cruddy the air we breathe can get. Well, you figure the average home runs the entire air in their home through the furnace/air handler 7 times an hour, it makes that filter very critical.

[Art-n-Marge]

It's even most amazing how easy this maintenance truly is. I replace my stickhouse filter every year and every six month vacuum it clean just because we live in a very dusty area (DW tells me about it at least twice each week). The innards of our heating/cooling system looks pretty good at my house.

I had never thought about the RV! Duh. I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the gentle reminder, Ozz.

[Waynem]

I use the disposable and change them out once a month.

[ole dude]

But when it gets dirty on this side I just take it out and turn it over so the clean side is down.

[stimpy123]

I guess it is dumb question time.
My 3605Rl (09) doesn't seem to have a filter on the furnace. I think that I asked the walk around tech about it and don't remember if there was or not a filter.
The fresh air return seems to be under the stairs as there are wooden grills there. I don't see a filter and there, of course in the generic owners manual, aren't any instructions.
Any ideas?

[Ozz]

I put my filter under there, I will scare up a picture. You do not have a filter in the system.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/100_0688.jpg

[stimpy123]

I didn't think so, Thanks for the help. I also changed my stick house filter twice a year. Don't have the stick house anymore and wondered what to do with my spare time.

[Art-n-Marge]

Hey Ozz, did you fabricate the filter? They don't sell that size do they?. I like the idea, but I might hinge the step and put the filter behind it for a more aesthetic look. I don't thing DW would like it to look like that.

Since I have two steps, maybe I'll do both step faces to increase air flow. The trick would be getting another matching step face since the upper step is carpeted. Another one for the hubby-do list.

[Ozz]

The wood grill went back on, I was just showing the filter, that's why I left the drill in the picture.
I cut a filter in two so I could use the other half later. The pleats are more rigid than the fiberglass, and better filters as well. One step is plenty of filter and return area.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/100_0692.jpg