A furnace keeps your home warm and your family comfortable and yet very few homeowners know much about these appliances. When should you replace furnace filters? Is there a way to tell when your furnace filter needs to be changed? Changing your furnace filter regularly is the most important regular maintenance you can do from your heating system. Avoiding filter changes will result in poor mechanic performance and an increase in energy use. The filter should be replaced every other month to maintain optimal performance. Although changing the filter that often may seem like overkill, or a wasted expense it is necessary and very inexpensive.
Furnace filters protects the furnace from dust and other airborne particles that build up over time to cause malfunctions. While the filter protects your heating system it is also working to keep dust and other allergens from the air that is being pumped into your home. The air quality of your home is dependent on a clean operational filter. If you are not comfortable making repairs or changing the furnace filter I recommend calling an HVAC specialist. If you are in the Denver area, I recommend Million Air Mechanical. They can be reached at www.millionairmechanical.com or 303-835-9355
How and When to Change a Furnace Filter
To change a furnace filter you'll need to locate the area in which the filter is located. It is typically between the main furnace structure and the ductwork. Most HVAC systems will have the filter panel labeled for easy access. Open the filter panel and remove the old filter. Make sure you have the correct size filter replacement. There are many different filter sizes but the most common are 16x20 20x20 and 16x25. Make sure you purchase the right replacement to save yourself an extra trip to the hardware store.
Installing your a new filter is pretty easy. As long as the filter is facing the right direction, you can't go wrong. You can either pay attention to the direction of the old filter when removing it, or look for arrows printed on the sides of your new filter indicating the direction the air will flow through it.
Some filters are re-usable. Although these reusable filters last for longer than disposable filter, they will not last forever and still require maintenance. Reusable filters should be washed once a month and HVAC experts at Million Air Mechanical recommend that you replace these filters after 6-12 months depending on the make and model. Reusable filters need to be thoroughly washed under running water until all the dirt and grim is removed. Regular cleaning on these filters have the same effect on the furnace mechanisms as changing disposable filters.
