Does anyone use the furnace or A/C filters that can be washed and reused for years? Really thinking about switching to one and wondering if others use them and what your thoughts are.

Thanks!

Had them for several years. In the end, it just wasn't for me. They only seem to trap more dust than the cheap fiberglass filters. I had to have either two of the reusable filters, or keep some disposables on hand for when I cleaned the reusables. In the end, they will likely pay for themselves if you reuse the temporary filter when cleaning, but it's one more thing to keep up with and requires maintenance.

our unit had one when we bought the house(it was 18mo old)and the owner told us to hose it off, let it dry and replace it. We did that for years and finally the AC repair guy said they caused a lot of strain on the units and our best bet was disposable filters and toss them once a month during high usage or every 3 remainder of year.

When we replaced the entire system 30yrs later the new one said to use disposable filters and change when dirty.

Disposable monthly, when you pay your electric bill.

Dang. I was really hoping the reusable ones would work. These filters get expensive after a while. I change mine monthly thanks to 2 cats and a dusty house. But I'd much rather have a clean filter and a happy A/C unit than not.

Try buying them online by the case. I have used Amazon or a site called filtersfast.com. The filtersfast.com house brand is pretty comparable to filtrete and will save some money.

I have the cleanable kind for years in my first home. I had two so I could alternate. Not sure why i went away form it now. Would have to have 4 now with two systems, I guess, and I could see some HVAC guys saying they might be too restrictive.

Another vote for buying online from filtersfast.com and getting the 'house' brand.

I used the washable filter that came with my unit for 4.5 years. It hardly ever picked up anything at all.

About 2 months ago I bought a case of mid-grade filters online from Amazon and popped one in. I changed it last Friday and was stunned to find that it was solid brown and caked with dust. That crappy washable filter hadn't been doing anything all this time. Never using a reusable filter again.

I think they suck.