How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter?

Before we discuss when and why to change a furnace filter, let's first understand its role within your heating system. A furnace filter acts as an intermediary between cold air intake and warm air return, filtering the air pulled in for heating with particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, or microscopic pollutants from entering. The filter trapping these pollutants prevents them from spreading throughout your home.

Why Maintenance Is Important

Maintaining your furnace filter regularly is vitally important for various reasons:

• Energy Efficiency

A clean furnace filter allows for better airflow through your HVAC system, meaning less effort needs to be expended on heating your home - leading to reduced energy use and bills! This has numerous ramifications.

• Improved Indoor Air Quality

A dirty filter cannot capture airborne particles effectively, and they may end up back in your living spaces, potentially leading to allergies or respiratory conditions. Regular filter changes help ensure healthy indoor air.

• Extending HVAC System Lifespan

Your HVAC system is an expensive investment; taking proper steps to preserve its lifespan will increase its lifecycle significantly. A clean filter prevents dust from building up on key components like the blower motor and heat exchanger. It thus decreases wear and tear on these essential pieces of machinery, thus prolonging its useful lifespan.

• Avoiding Expensive Furnace  Repair

Refraining from changing filters regularly is likely to create more significant problems later. A dirty filter could strain your furnace, potentially leading to overheating and needing costly furnace repair or heating replacement work.

How Often To Change Your Furnace Filter

Now that we understand why changing a furnace filter is necessary let's discuss when exactly you should do it. Filter changes depend on several variables; how often each change should happen will vary based on their conditions and environment.

• Filter Type

Your type of filter plays a big part in how often it should be replaced. Filters come in wide varieties: disposable fiberglass filters, pleated filters, electrostatic filters, and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are among the various varieties you might come across - typically, disposable filters require replacement more frequently than pleated or HEPA ones.

• Household Factors

Your number of residents, presence of pets, and overall indoor air quality all play an impactful role in how quickly a filter becomes dirty, meaning homes with more people or animals may require filter changes more regularly.

• Seasonal Considerations

As your furnace runs more frequently during the heating season, changing out its filter will likely need to occur more frequently than during summertime, when your HVAC unit may run less often.

• Consult Your HVAC Manufacturer Recommendations

Before replacing filters in your system, always consult its manufacturer's recommendations on replacement frequencies - these often offer useful insight.

As a general guideline, it's recommended that furnace filters should be checked monthly during heating season - particularly disposable filters, which typically need replacing every 1-3 months, and pleated filters, which last six months. If any signs of visible dirt or obstruction arise, replace them immediately! Otherwise, pleated filters usually last 6-12 months without needing replacement.

Filter Maintenance Benefits

It can bring many significant advantages to change out your furnace filter at regular intervals:

• Reduce Energy Bills

A clean filter helps your HVAC system consume less energy, reducing monthly utility costs.

• Improve Indoor Air Quality

Clean filters can make a home healthier for you and your family, creating a fresher atmosphere.

• Prevent Costly Repairs

Avoiding system clogs and strain can help protect you against costly furnace repairs or heating replacement needs, saving money both times.

• Extended HVAC System Lifespan

A regular maintenance routine will extend the lifespan of your furnace, saving money on replacement needs down the line.

How to Change a Furnace Filter

Replacing your furnace filter is a relatively straightforward task you can easily accomplish independently. Here are the basic steps:

• Before Starting: Switch Off Your Furnace For Maximum Safety: As part of any safety measure, before commencing any task, it is a wise idea to switch off the furnace before commencing any tasks or projects involving heating systems or furnaces.
• Locate Your Filter: Locate the filter compartment; it is typically situated near or inside your cold air return, furnace, or dedicated filter slot.
• Remove Old Filters: Take steps to safely dispose or clean reusable filters according to manufacturer specifications as soon as they become worn-out or outdated, according to instructions for best performance and results.
• Install the New Filter: Make sure the airflow direction arrow points towards your furnace when installing the new filter, ensuring it fits snugly into its slot.
• Turn On the Furnace: Once all is done, turn back on your furnace! Congratulations - your work is now finished!

Zion Custom Air

Our HVAC company specializes in comprehensive HVAC services, such as furnace repair and heating replacement. Our team of experts is committed to ensuring your heating system operates at peak efficiency. They offer tailored advice about when and how often your furnace filter should be changed for maximum performance and air quality.