Changing your furnace filter is one the most important maintenance tasks you can perform. Clogged filters can affect proper furnace operation, drag down system efficiency, cost you added energy dollars and even damage your heating equipment. Luckily, changing your furnace filter is as easy as it is important. With that in mind, here are several tips for changing and maintaining your furnace filter:
Determine the type of filter that is best for your home. Some homes can get by with the cheap one-inch filters, but think about it this way: Your furnace is an expensive, important piece of equipment and it should be treated as such. Your indoor air quality may suffer if you install a filter that is too thin, but efficiency may drop if you choose one that is too thick. Make note of the age, capacity and condition of your furnace, then call an HVAC expert and ask them to recommend a filter.
Check your filter every month. It's critical that you change your filter before the heating season is here, but you must also continue to check it every month. When the filter starts to look dirty, it's time to change it. That is usually about once every three months but it may be much sooner.
Install the filter correctly. There should be an arrow in one corner of the filter. Make sure to point the arrow at the blower motor if you want it to perform as well as it should.
Pay attention to your energy bills. If your bills are going up without an obvious reason, your filter may be dirty, or you may not have the right filter. If you notice issues, contact an HVAC professional to check your system.
If you would like professional assistance with changing your furnace filter, contact Air Assurance. We've been helping homeowners in and around Broken Arrow save money, stay comfortable and rest easy for over 25 years.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock