Question:

Hi Don,

I bet this is a question you have never heard! I have some rental properties, and if you've ever had any, you know that tenants never, ever, remember to change the air filters. That means that not only do I have to change them, but I have to try and arrange a time that I can get in to change them. This got me thinking(could be dangerous!). First I thought about the possibility of putting in 3 or 4 air returns and then changing the filters on them all once a year. Then I came up with an even more extreme idea. What if I was to put in a couple of floor returns UNDERNEATH the carpet. Could you simply use the carpet as the filter? Now I know it would not filter anywhere near as well as a normal air filter, but it should at least catch all of the big stuff and when they vacuumed combined with people shuffling over it that would not build up. Since the normal filters are never changed as they should be, I'm already getting additional wear on the unit. Is this too crazy of an idea? Maybe you can think of a better alternative.

Thanks,

David

Answer:

Do not put carpet over the return airs, this will increase the wear on the furnace as the carpet will not allow enough air through. Filters need to be changed approx. every 4 months depending on the household.Preventative maintenace is cheaper than early replacement or costly service calls due to neglect.

Answered By: Don Peters

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