If you live in a home with a forced-air heating system, you’ve probably noticed the furnace filter. These small pieces of mesh are usually located near the return air vent in your home. They’re also accessible from inside your home so that you can change them regularly. That’s because these filters protect your home from any dust or debris that might enter through the return vents. Changing your furnace filter on a regular basis ensures optimal performance and protects the longevity of your system. Here are some helpful tips on how often you should change your furnace filter.
How Often To Change Furnace Filter?
Depending on your furnace brand and model, the filter will need to be replaced anywhere from every month to every three months. If you do not know how often to change your furnace filter, contact your furnace manufacturer. They will be able to provide you with information specific to your unit.
How To Change The Furnace Filter?
Step 1: Find the filter
The first step on how to change the filter on your furnace is finding the filter. Typically, you will find the filter in the front of your furnace. Filters are usually in one of these two places: on the bottom of the furnace or on the top of the furnace. To find the filter, look for a panel on the outside of the furnace or a panel on the inside of the furnace. Some filters are attached with a clip, while others will have to be unscrewed before you can remove them. The easiest way to find the filter is to follow the sound of the blower fan. The blower fan is located behind the filter and will be noticeably quieter when you are in front of the filter.
Step 2: Turn off the power to the furnace
Before you start to change the filter on your furnace, you will need to turn off the power to the furnace. The filter may have a quick disconnect so you can remove it easily. If it does not have a quick disconnect, you will need to turn off the fuse or circuit breaker for the furnace. Be careful when you are turning off the power, as the furnace may have a live wire inside. If you are unsure whether the furnace has power, it is always safer to be safe than sorry. If you have a gas furnace, you will need to call a professional to change the filter as you will need to turn off the gas as well. If your furnace is electric, you can continue safely with the filter change.
Step 3: Loosen the old filter
Before you can remove the old filter, you will need to loosen it. Depending on the type of filter you have, you may be able to simply remove it or you may have to unscrew it first. Once the filter is loose, you can remove it by lifting the filter of the furnace. When you remove the filter, make sure you have it in an area where it will not get dirty as you will be replacing it shortly.
Step 4: Change your filter
To change the filter, simply grab a new filter and place it in the same place as the old filter. Make sure you use the same filter that is recommended for your system. Some filters are marked as suitable for use in humid environments. If you have a humid environment, you will want to use a filter that is marked for use in those conditions. If you do not have the same type of filter, you will have to clean or replace your furnace more often and it may not be as efficient in removing dust and other impurities from the air.
Step 5: Turn on the power and test your system
Once you have replaced the filter and attached it to your furnace, you can turn on the power and test your system to make sure the filter is working properly. If you have an electric furnace, you can plug the filter back into the wall outlet. If you have a gas furnace, make sure you turn the gas back on before restarting your furnace. If you are using an oil furnace, the filter change process may be slightly different and you should follow the directions that come with your system.
Why You Should Change Your Furnace Filter?
It Helps Your Furnace Run At Its Best
Depending on the size of your home and the efficiency of your furnace, you may need to replace your filter every one to three months. If you have a furnace filter that is clogged with dust and debris, it won’t be able to do its job effectively. Clogged filters will cause your furnace to work harder and longer to keep your home warm, which can lead to higher energy bills. In fact, changing your furnace filter more often is one of the best ways to make sure it’s always running at full capacity. It can also help extend the lifespan of your furnace. If it’s working harder than it needs to, there is an increased chance that it could break down sooner than expected. A well-maintained furnace should last for at least 15 years. You should have your furnace inspected every year as part of your home maintenance schedule.
It Protects Your Furnace From Damage
When your furnace filter is clogged with dust and debris, it can also cause damage to other components within the system. Without the proper amount of airflow, the motor may overheat and burn out sooner than expected. In some cases, your furnace may even shut down completely. A clogged filter can also cause your blower motor to work harder than it should, which may cause it to prematurely wear down. If your blower motor burns out, you’ll have to replace it as well as any other components that were damaged as a result. All in all, a clogged filter can cause a lot of damage to your furnace, which can result in a costly repair.
It Helps Improve Your Home’s Air Quality
If your furnace filter is regularly clogged with dust and debris, it will prevent your furnace from cleaning the air in your home. However, a clean filter is essential for removing harmful particles from the air before it is circulated throughout your house. For instance, dirty air can contain bacteria, pet dander, and other harmful substances that can cause allergies and other respiratory issues. A clean furnace filter can help reduce these problems by trapping germs and other harmful particles before they make their way into the air you breathe. A clean filter can also help improve the quality of your indoor air during the colder months. During the winter, your furnace may run more often than it does during other times of the year. Therefore, it’s important to change your filter often during this time of the year.
When To Change Your Furnace Filter?
- The best way to know when to change your furnace filter is to keep track of the lifespan of your filters. You can also select a filter with a lifespan that best suits your needs.
- Keep in mind that if you have a large amount of dust in your home, you may have to change your filter more frequently.
- If you have allergies or other respiratory issues, you may want to change your filter more often.
- You may also have to change your filter more often if you have pets, live near a dusty road, or have children that like to play outside.
- These factors can add more dust to your home’s air and require more frequent filter changes.
Tips For Changing Your Furnace Filter
- Before you open the housing and the filter, mark the date on a calendar. You can also use a sticky note or another marker. This will help you keep track of when you last changed the filter.
- If you have allergies or respiratory issues, wear a mask while you change the filter. You also want to make sure you clean up the mess afterward.
- You can use a long-handled tool or a magnet to get the old filter out. A screwdriver might help you open the filter housing.
- Once you’ve changed the filter, make sure you reset the airflow. You want to make sure the air is moving properly through your home.
Conclusion
When your furnace filter needs to be replaced, it’s time to get a new one. It’s important to change your filter on a regular basis to protect your home and the people who live in it. Dirty filters can cause health problems and make it more difficult for your HVAC system to operate efficiently. Schedule filter changes for the beginning of each season. You can also use a filter with a longer lifespan if you have a high amount of dust in your home. A longer-lasting filter can help you save money by only having to change it once a year. Whether you have allergies or not, it’s important to clean or change your furnace filter every three months.