Proper maintenance is essential for keeping your home’s HVAC system running smoothly. One of the most important parts of maintaining your HVAC system is having clean and properly maintained filters. If you don’t change your furnace filter on a regular basis, it will quickly become clogged with dust, dirt, and other debris. This will reduce the amount of air your HVAC system is able to exchange with your home, which can have a negative impact on your heating and cooling bills. To help you understand why this is important and how to check your filter for proper cleaning, read on for some helpful information.

What are the signs your filter needs replacing?

If you notice that you’re experiencing any of the following signs, you should probably consider replacing your furnace filter soon: - The filter looks dirty and/or discolored. - The air coming out of your vents smells musty or like mildew. - You’re experiencing frequent break-downs or other problems related to your HVAC system.

How to Change a Furnace Filter

If you’re in need of a new filter, here’s what you need to know: - Make sure it’s wintertime! - If you want to use a filter that’s specifically designed for your furnace, make sure it’s compatible with your system. - If you want to use a general-purpose filter, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure it’s the right size for your system.

Why do we need to change our furnace filter?

A dirty filter isn’t just unsightly; it can also reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency. When your filter is full of dirt and dust, it has to be changed more frequently to ensure that your air is clean. The average filter can trap about 200 pounds of dust. That’s equivalent to the weight of about 200 people! It’s not uncommon for a filter to trap as much weight as a person, so if you have a large family or frequent guests, you might want to consider investing in a larger filter.

How to tell if your furnace filter is clean

There are a few things you can do to check if your filter is clean. First, look at the filter’s construction. If the filter has a mesh that’s too large for the amount of dust that’s been trapped, it’s probably time for a new one. Another way to check for cleanliness is to use a vacuum cleaner. If you see a lot of dust and dirt on the inside of your filter, it’s time for a new one.

Conclusion

Furnace filters are an important part of your HVAC system, and they should be changed on a regular basis. Not only do they trap dirt and dust, but they also help clean the air that’s being exchanged with your home. If you want to make sure that your HVAC system is working efficiently, you need to make sure that your filters are clean. It’s important to change your filter on a regular basis so that it can trap as much dust as possible.

Frequently Asked Question

The furnace filter needs to be replaced depending on your location. For colder zones, you might want to change it every 30 – 60 days because furnaces usually go on for many months and do not take a break. For warmer areas, you may only replace it twice during the winter or after 90 days. It also varies on the thickness of the furnace filters. The thinner your filter, the more frequent you get to replace it.
If you fail to change your furnace filter, this might affect the performance of your furnace. It will pressure your equipment to work harder because of a decrease in airflow. Worse, it might damage your equipment forcing you to have it repaired or replaced. The furnace will overheat once you turn it on without a new air filter.
Technically without a furnace filter, your furnace will still operate. However, you will risk your family’s health and your equipment’s performance as well. Furnace filters make sure that contaminants, dust, and microbes do not get inside your house so you will not breathe dirty air.
A dirty furnace filter looks darker than the first time you bought it. The air also smells funny. You get lower airflow and your equipment works hard causing your electric bills to soar. Soon you will get sick, and develop headaches and allergies.
The fibers can’t do their job when it is placed backward. The furnace will work harder to keep up with its desired output. This will increase your energy cost and damage your equipment. Smaller particles will accumulate causing build-up.