Changing Your Furnace Air Filter Regularly Keeps The Air Clean and Your Heating System Running Reliably and Efficiently
Having a clean, properly sized furnace filter is critical for a number of reasons. A clogged or poorly fitting air filter will make your home's heating and cooling system work harder to move the air around your your home. The result is poor efficiency, higher utility bills and dirtier air.
How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?
The frequency of filter replacement will depend on the filter type, the size of your home and your home's air quality. A furnace in a larger home will move more air and clog the filter faster. If you have pets you’ll probably need to change your filter twice as often. Not only are pet dander and hair a leading cause of allergens, they also clog air filters more quickly.
Start with every two months for a standard 1” filter and twice as often if you have a large home, allergies or pets. Costlier filters often claim to last 90 days, but in our experience, these filters restrict air flow so much that they should be changed monthly. Your furnace and air conditioner will breathe easier and so will you!
Choosing An Air Filter
If you’re really interested in cleaning the air in your home, MR Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical can install a whole-house air cleaner in place of your standard furnace filter. HEPA filters clean the air better that any of the standard pleated filters and need to be changed much less frequently.
If you buy your air filters by the case and keep them near your furnace it will reduce the tendency to procrastinate about changing the filter. Buying by the case can also reduce the cost of the filters.
Never run your system with an incorrectly sized filter. An poor-fitting furnace filter will allow dust and other contaminates to sneak around the filter and into your home. This is also the primary cause of clogged air conditioner coils. Clogged AC coils reduce efficiency and compressor life, and can cause expensive problems down the road.
Always turn off your furnace at the breaker panel or disconnect (not just the thermostat) before replacing your filter. Some furnaces have electrical wiring close to the filter location which could shock you if the power is not disconnected first. furnace air filters
If you're uncertain about where your furnace filter goes, what direction to install it, or what size or type to use, give us a call. We're always happy to help.
For improved filtration and healthier indoor air quality, we offer whole-house air cleaners and other Indoor Air Quality systems. Our technicians can recommend the best solution based on your needs and your home.
