Century home — though furnace is relatively new (2019, but pre-dates us). This is the filter setup — the filters don’t really fit in — you have to shove them in and they get bent… I could explore different sized filters. (Yes, I am splinting bent filters with wooden skewers)
But looking at this setup, it just seems like the air will go around the filters on the edges. The access panel is screwed on with 4 janky screws and there’s no sealing around the panel — won’t it pull air from the basement? Sometimes when the furnace goes on there’s some loud noises… and I’m wondering if it’s because of this setup. Got the “filter change” reminder from our Nest so went down to change them and the old ones didn’t seem dirty enough — which is why I’m suspicious this isn’t actually working.
If this is “fine” and “to code”, I’m not looking for problems, but wanted some independent takes on it before I start calling HVAC technicians who will certainly tell me that everything needs to be replaced.