HEPA cabin air filter air flow restrictions

[gooby]

Anyone used a HEPA filter carbin air filter? I.e. https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Automotive-6081C-Cabin-Filter/dp/B07M8J9LND

As someone with asthma, I am really meticulous about my indoor air quality with filters, etc. I am wondering if it's worth using one of these instead of the stock filter, or if the air flow restriction is way too much. 95% of the time I use circulate anyways, but when I do want to get some fresh air into the cabin, it's not long before I have issues with the air quality, so I wonder if this is worthwhile or if it's just going to stress the AC system. Thoughts?

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[JFollow]

I bought this, or a very similar one, for mine. As temps are warming up, I do find myself leaving it in max AC longer. Auto fan speed level 2 doesn’t seem to do as much as it used to.

You just want to make sure you are moving air across the coils and not allowing them to freeze up. Not keeping fan speed up could stress the compressor, otherwise only added ‘wear’ is to the fan itself.

 

[Calson]

99% of the HEPA labeled filters are not actually verified and certified for their filtering capability. The HEPA filters used in vacuums for dealing with hazardous materials such as asbestos are individually tested by a technician who signs off on it and this test information is provided with the filter.

All the other HEPA filters are untested and the term HEPA is meaningless for the end user. Any cabin filter is going to be as good as any other so long as there is a good seal around the edges. I tried a FRAM filter in my Chevy truck and the seal was not good at all and I replaced it with an ACDelco filter that was a much better fit.

 

[imnuts]

I have that filter and no issues with it. It may keep out marginally more stuff than the stock filter, but not sure. I'm going to keep using it as I trust the quality over stock and the cost difference is minimal.

As posted above, it should really be "HEPA" as there's no seal on it and no testing.

 

[PB2021]

I have put this one in recently changing from stock. I do notice a slight difference in airflow. Still on the fence as to whether I keep I longer term or go back to one that allows a little more flow through.

 

[ERM]

I tried a 2 stage filter with active carbon, and it all but stopped the air flow in it's tracks. So I switched to something like the link above that still had a thin layer of active carbon and it did reduce the airflow a bit, but it's fine. We are in 100 degree days here and I'm not having an issue.

If you want to really know how much flow you lose with these filters, pull the existing filter out, reinstall the lid and turn on the fan. You won't believe it. It will be the airflow you always wished you had, but don't.

I like what "BushPilot" said - get in the habit of changing the filter out more often.

 

[EricR]

A factor you are missing is the filter design.

Sure, a more effective filter media ("that traps more") will be more restrictive than a stock filter - if they both are identical in design.

However, this can be overcome by giving the more effective filter media more surface area.

So, how do you get more surface area into a filter that is the same size as the stock one?

More pleats!

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