I’ve run into the same thing with those “high-efficiency” filters—people think they’re doing their system a favor, but most residential blowers just aren’t built for that kind of restriction. I usually recommend sticking with the standard pleated ones too, unless there’s a specific allergy issue. And yeah, mastic is messy, but I trust it more than foil tape for long-term sealing. Just gotta wear gloves and be patient… learned that the hard way after getting it all over my hands once.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the high-efficiency filters. I was surprised the first time I saw how much they can actually slow down airflow—kinda counterintuitive when you’re just trying to keep things clean, right? I’ve seen folks end up with cold spots in their house because the blower just can’t keep up. Have you ever had someone insist on using those thick filters even after you explained it? I always wonder if there’s a way to really show them the difference without sounding like a know-it-all.
And mastic... man, that stuff is no joke. The first time I used it, I thought gloves were optional. Big mistake. Took forever to scrub off. But yeah, once it’s on, it’s not going anywhere. Do you find it holds up better in the long run than foil tape? I’ve heard mixed things but haven’t seen any failures myself yet. Just curious how it’s held up for you over time.