First Responder, Military, and Senior Discounts.
First Responder, Military, and Senior Discounts.
The air filter is one of the simplest components in an HVAC system.
It is also capable of creating:
Klein Cooling technicians shall evaluate the filter as part of the airflow system, not merely determine whether it looks dirty.
The filter’s job is to remove contaminants without preventing the HVAC system from moving the air it was designed to move.
When filter condition or airflow is relevant to the service being performed:
Check the filter.
Do not ask:
“When did you change it?”
receive:
“Last month.”
and conclude:
Filter good.
Look at it.
A filter can become restrictive quickly.
A filter can also look dirty and remain serviceable.
The calendar is information.
It is not a differential-pressure gauge.
When asked how often they change their filter, customers may say:
“Every month.”
Excellent.
Check it anyway.
People also tell the dentist they floss every day.
We love them.
We believe they have excellent intentions.
We still look at the filter.
This is not an accusation.
It is diagnosis.
A filter that visibly contains dust is doing at least part of its job.
The relevant question is not simply:
Is there dirt on it?
The relevant question is:
Is the filter creating an unacceptable restriction for this system under the present operating conditions?
When restriction is diagnostically important, evaluate it appropriately.
This may include:
A dirty-looking filter and a restrictive filter are not necessarily the same thing.
Section 07 applies here.
Do not document:
Filter okay.
when filter restriction is important to the diagnosis and an actual measurement is warranted.
Document the relevant measurement.
Example:
Pressure before filter: ___ in. w.c.
Pressure after filter: ___ in. w.c.
Filter pressure drop: ___ in. w.c.
Then interpret that measurement in the context of the system’s airflow requirements and available manufacturer information.
Do not invent a universal pressure-drop limit that applies to every filter and every HVAC system.
It doesn’t.
Record filter size when relevant to maintenance, replacement, airflow, or customer instructions.
Examples:
16 × 25 × 1
20 × 20 × 1
20 × 25 × 4
Do not document:
Big one.
Housecall Pro has not yet added this as an industry-standard filter dimension.
Filter dimensions printed on the filter may be nominal dimensions, not exact physical dimensions.
This matters when:
Verify actual requirements when necessary.
A filter should fit the intended rack, grille, cabinet, or housing appropriately.
Evaluate for:
A 16 × 20 filter placed diagonally in a 20 × 25 opening is not:
“Basically the same.”
Air is remarkably good at finding the part you forgot to filter.
Install directional filters according to their airflow arrow.
The arrow points in the direction of airflow.
Generally:
toward the blower/equipment, depending on filter location and system configuration.
Do not determine filter direction based on:
Determine airflow direction.
Then install it correctly.
A system may have filtration at:
Determine where the system is intended to be filtered.
Do not assume every return grille requires a filter.
Do not install filters in multiple locations without considering the cumulative restriction.
More filtration is not automatically better filtration.
A filter at the return grille plus another restrictive filter at the air handler can create unnecessary pressure drop if the system was not designed for that arrangement.
If multiple filters are present:
Determine whether the configuration is intentional and appropriate.
Do not simply say:
“Two filters catch twice as much.”
They may.
They may also make the blower question its career choices.
MERV is a filtration-efficiency rating.
A higher MERV rating generally indicates increased ability to capture smaller particles within the applicable test standard.
It does not mean:
Higher number = automatically better for every HVAC system.
Filter performance must be considered together with:
The best filter is not necessarily the filter with the largest number on the package.
It is a filter that provides the desired filtration while allowing the system to maintain appropriate airflow.
A one-inch filter is not automatically bad.
A one-inch highly restrictive filter installed in a system that cannot tolerate the pressure drop may be a problem.
Likewise, a one-inch filter with adequate surface area and appropriate performance may work perfectly well.
Diagnose the system.
Do not diagnose the thickness.
Larger media filters may offer:
Actual performance depends on the filter and application.
Do not sell a media cabinet by promising:
“This fixes airflow.”
Measure the airflow problem first.
A larger filter may reduce filter-related restriction.
It cannot make undersized ductwork disappear.
When a filter creates excessive restriction for the application, system effects may include:
Do not immediately blame refrigerant charge for symptoms that could reasonably result from inadequate airflow.
See Section 07 — Diagnostic Standards.
The refrigerant has enough accusations already.
Variable-speed and constant-airflow blower systems may attempt to compensate for increasing system resistance by changing blower operation within their available capability.
This does not mean airflow restrictions cease to matter.
Increased restriction may affect:
Do not tell a customer:
“It’s variable speed, so static doesn’t matter.”
Static pressure did not receive that memo.
Do not recommend closing multiple supply registers as a routine method of:
Closing registers changes system resistance and airflow distribution.
If a customer has a comfort complaint:
Diagnose the airflow and duct system.
Do not solve it by asking the duct system to breathe through fewer holes.
There is no universal answer.
Replacement interval depends on factors such as:
Do not tell every customer:
“Change it every 30 days.”
unless that interval is appropriate for their filter and application.
Some filters may require more frequent replacement.
Some may reasonably last much longer.
Inspect based on experience. Replace based on condition and application.
When practical, date newly installed disposable filters.
This provides useful information for:
Write the installation date clearly.
Not:
8/?
Future generations deserve better.
Customers may purchase their own filters.
That’s fine.
If the filter:
there is no requirement that the filter come from Klein Cooling.
We are an HVAC company.
We are not emotionally attached to cardboard rectangles.
Do not assume an expensive filter is appropriate merely because it was expensive.
Packaging may contain:
The HVAC system has not read the box.
Evaluate the actual application.
When encountering washable or reusable filters:
Evaluate their:
Do not automatically condemn or endorse them based solely on the fact that they are reusable.
If cleaning is required, follow the applicable product instructions.
A reusable filter that is still wet should not necessarily be returned immediately to service.
The objective is filtration.
Not hydroponics.
If a system has been operating without appropriate filtration:
Document it.
Inspect accessible areas affected by the condition as appropriate.
Potential consequences may include contamination of:
Do not tell the customer:
“Your coil is definitely clogged.”
unless you actually evaluated the coil.
Again:
Evidence.
Air that travels around the filter is not filtered.
If significant bypass exists, determine why.
Possible conditions include:
Do not solve a bypass problem solely by installing a more expensive filter.
The air currently avoiding the cheap filter will also avoid the expensive one.
When recommending modifications to filtration, consider the entire return-air arrangement.
A restrictive filter may not be the only issue.
Evaluate, as appropriate:
Sometimes:
“You need a better filter.”
should actually be:
“We need to improve how the system is able to move return air.”
Those are different recommendations.
Filters and IAQ products should not be sold using exaggerated claims.
Do not tell customers:
“Your air is toxic.”
“You’re breathing mold.”
“This filter will keep you from getting sick.”
“This will eliminate all allergens.”
unless there is legitimate evidence and an appropriate basis for the statement.
Explain what the product is designed to do.
Explain its limitations.
Let the customer decide.
The filter does not require a horror movie trailer.
When replacing a filter:
Verify:
If a replacement filter materially changes system restriction and airflow is relevant to the service:
Evaluate accordingly.
Do not remove a severely restricted filter, watch the suction pressure change, and conclude:
“Freon fixed itself.”
Something else happened.
You were there.
When appropriate, show the customer:
Do not make filter replacement sound more complicated than it is.
Also do not assume every customer knows how to do it.
Remember Section 06:
Customers are not taking an HVAC exam.
Some filter locations are difficult or unsafe for a homeowner to access.
Examples may include:
If a customer cannot reasonably access their filter:
Help establish a practical solution.
That may include:
Do not lecture an 82-year-old homeowner about changing an attic filter every month.
Fix the accessibility problem.
A dirty filter may contribute to a system problem.
Explain that.
Do not say:
“Well, you didn’t change your filter.”
with the satisfaction of a prosecutor presenting Exhibit A.
We are there to fix the air conditioner.
Not win the case of:
Klein Cooling v. Homeowner.
Explain what happened.
Explain how to prevent it.
Continue.
During applicable maintenance visits, document the filter information required by the Klein Cooling Preventative Maintenance Performance Report.
Do not replace actual readings or required documentation with:
Filter good.
If the customer changed the filter recently:
Document what is actually present.
If Klein Cooling replaced it:
Document that.
If it needs replacement and was not replaced:
Document that.
The maintenance report is the record.
Use it.
When a filter is relevant to the call, ask:
Is the correct filter installed?
Does it fit?
Is it oriented correctly?
Is air bypassing it?
Is there more than one filter creating unnecessary restriction?
Is the filter condition relevant to the complaint?
If restriction matters, did I measure rather than guess?
Did I consider the entire return-air system?
Am I recommending a higher-efficiency filter without considering pressure drop and airflow?
Did I explain an appropriate inspection/replacement interval for this actual application instead of automatically saying 30 days?
Can the customer reasonably access the filter?
If not:
Address the actual problem.
Check the filter.
Even if the customer changed it yesterday.
Even if they change it every month.
Even if they look you directly in the eyes and swear:
“I literally just changed it.”
We believe them.
Check it anyway.
Verify the size.
Verify the fit.
Verify the direction.
Consider the filtration level.
Consider airflow.
Measure restriction when restriction matters.
Do not assume higher MERV is automatically better.
Do not assume thicker is automatically better.
Do not assume expensive is automatically better.
Do not create arbitrary replacement intervals.
Do not blame the customer.
Do not sell fear.
And remember:
The filter is part of the airflow system.
Treat it like one.
Also:
Yes, we know you changed it last month.
We asked the dentist about the flossing, too.
END OF SECTION 09