What symptoms when filter needs changed?

[Country4ever]

What specific symptoms might I experience if my filter needs changed? Just curious how it shows up.
Thanks.

[RogerSC]

Well, you really want to change it before you have symptoms...you can just change it once a month, or you can keep checking it for discoloration, as the owners guide says. Graying, whatever. I'm currently just changing it once a month, myself. Insurance pays for it, and I don't want symptoms *smile*.

[Goofproof]

Three to four weeks have expired, that's my symptom. Jim

I'm funny that way, I change my truck oil before the oip pressure light comes on too.

[JDS74]

As the filter gets clogged and more restrictive in air flow, the blower motor must work harder to get the correct level of pressure that you need. More blower effort translates into a shorter blower life and earlier repair or replacement. It is likely that the symptom is the need to repair/replace the machine. If that happens after the usual 2 year warranty, then you get the bill.

Just kind of thinking of the possibilities.

[Wulfman...]

What specific symptoms might I experience if my filter needs changed? Just curious how it shows up.
Thanks.

Which filter(s) do you use? The gray foam ones or the white (fine) ones......or both?
The gray foam ones can probably be washed and reused and the white ones need to be replaced at some interval......particularly when they get discolored and dirty. It kind of depends on where you live and how long it takes for the filters to get "dirty". Could be a month or longer.


Den

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[Captain_Midnight]

C4E asks...What specific symptoms might I experience if my filter needs changed? Just curious how it shows up.
Thanks.

And, it is a reasonable question.

My suspicion (and it's not really mine, as it pre-dates me on this fine forum) is that if one notices an increase in events, and barring other possibilities (such as a cold or increase in airborne allergens) of the many potential causes, check the machine filter[s] first. If it's dirty or if it's been a while, change that thing out, and see if this simple action fixes the issue.

As an aside, I used to use 2 filters in my Phillips (nee Resperonics) machine, the fine white filter, and the allegedly washable grey foam one. Just goofing around, I found that my machine seemed to make less of a "straining" sound when I removed the white, fine filter; so for years since then, I only use the grey foam one. Regarding the grey foam filter, many wash it and put it back, and that's a good thing. I tend to be more overly cautious here, and replace the item with a new one about every month. (I realize that this is not a prudent financial action, and I cannot say that replacing is at all superior to washing.)

At any rate, when in doubt, try a new (or clean) filter. Can't hurt.


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[jencat824]

I use both gray & white filters. This post was a reminder for me to change mine. When I checked my white filter was almost black. So... I'm putting a reminder in my smart phone to do this monthly from now on. Thanks for bringing up this subject. I am sure I am not the only one that this post will prompt to check their filter.

Jen

[onthefreeway]

Here's a dumb question:

I have a Resmed S9 Autoset. I seem to recall reading somewhere that there's a "special" way to install the very small, thin white filter - as in, it should face one particular way. But for the life of me, both sides of this thing look identical; I see no difference. I've looked at various instructions and don't see any info about installing it in a particular direction, so I'm wondering if this was a hallucination on my part or maybe I have confused this w/ something else. Can any Resmed S9 owners out there help me out?

(FYI: my confusion has led to procrastionation; this is my first filter change since I got the machine almost 9 months ago! Gotta say, it's pretty grey and dusty looking, ugh...)

[Country4ever]

Thanks everyone. My filter never looks dirty, but I replace it occasionally anyhow.
Onthefreeway: My filter is white with blue on one side. The colored side is supposed to be towards the outside....but I have a slightly different model than you have.

[-tim]

Giving a basic brand helps.

Do you have pets, allergies? Do you live in an arctic wasteland or next to a pollen research lab?

Some people go years without replacing filters but I replace them every 2 weeks.

The filters are mostly there to protect the machine but if they get full of dust, mold can grow by feeding on the dust and that can cause some people problems.

[Country4ever]

I hadn't thought of the strain on the motor. Duh. I should have, since I know that's what happens to everything that has a filter and a motor.
My little filters never look dirty, so I don't know if they are causing a problem or not. I do change them once in awhile.