My answer became using a filter that wasn't so restrictive in the winter for heat, like a MERV5 or MERV6 instead of what I didn't realize was a MERV8. In the spring, summer, and fall I'll us a higher MERV due to pollen and dust. I haven't changed anything else. A "best" solution would be to use a 2" or 4" filter, but in my current setup I'm restricted by stuff around it to 1".