[tgm1024]

Ok, when I look at my furnace, the filter housing and inside label are attached as images. The inside label offers a replacement filter number which is no longer available.

But basically it says that it's a "Trion AirBear Media Air Cleaner"

How is that different from from a regular filter? I can't find anything online that says the difference.

I ended up buying this (a regular air filter):

http://amzn.com/B003ZVK1EG

It's rated for up to 2000 cf/m which my unit claims it needs. Do you think it'll work ok?

Thanks!

 

[lenaitch]

At first I thought it looked like an electronic unit but the term 'media' suggests just a form of filter material. I found the attached link on Amazon - don't know if its for your particular model but suggests they are out there.

http://www.amazon.com/Air-Bear-255649-102-Replacement-Filter/dp/B003ZVK1EG

 

[yuri]

It should be OK.

Media is a industry buzzword and just means filter material/media. Technically we replace the filter "media" on large commercial filters and not the entire filter.

The MERV rating is what is important. 8 is average and good. Anything higher and you can have reduced airflow and AC freezing or furnace overheating if your fan is not powerful enough and your ducts big enough.

 

[tgm1024]

It should be OK.

Media is a industry buzzword and just means filter material/media. Technically we replace the filter "media" on large commercial filters and not the entire filter.

Huh. But then why the entire enclosure claiming it's a media air cleaner? Wouldn't that "media" business only apply to the filter cartridge itself?

The MERV rating is what is important. 8 is average and good. Anything higher and you can have reduced airflow and AC freezing or furnace overheating if your fan is not powerful enough and your ducts big enough.

Do I have a chance of a longer lifespan for the fan by using a filter rated to 800 cfm then? This would be at the expense of cleaner air I'm assuming.

 

[yuri]

Media air cleaner is a play on words. It is nothing more than a air filter. 3M and others want to make it sound fancy schmancy so the ladies are impressed and we know who makes the buying decisions or is most concerned about dust.:wink2:

Next thing we will call car oil filters > oil particulate cleansing canister.

Filters are rated in MERV and not by CFM. CFM has to do with the physical size and a 20x25 is the largest we have and is good for a 5 ton AC. 1 ton of AC needs 400 cfm.

Merv 7 or 8 is used by most people and does a good job.

http://furnacefiltercare.com/performance/merv-ratings/

 

[SPS-1]

Trion also makes electrostatic air cleaners. The electrostatic cleaners have metal "grids" that you wash, not replace. I guess that is Trion's way of telling you that you have a filter.