packaged heat pump filters

[John Arnold]

I almost never see packaged (non-split) heat pumps, but I did today. Where is the filter usually found? This house had filters in all of the many return registers, which seems kinda dumb to me.

[Jerry Peck]

John,

While creating a pain-in-the-a$$ to change and keep the filters clean, that is actually a very good way to filter the air.

In addition to keeping the equipment clean, filters at each return also keep the ductwork clean (provided the filters are changed/cleaned regularly).

To clarify, I am referring to "return air grilles", NOT "supply air registers".

If those filters are in the "supply air registers", yeah, that's not only dumb, it real dumb.

[John Arnold]

Thanks, Jerry. Yes, they are in the return grills.

[Ken Meyer]

Most of the newer condos that I see have the filter installed at the furnace or air handler located above a suspended ceiling in a closet or utility room. Then to make matters worse, sometimes shelves are put in, making even harder to get to the filter. I always recommend that the return air grilles be modified to accept a filter. Usually there is only one return air grille, so it wouldn't be that difficult.