Furnace Filter Replacement

Why Filter Replacement is So Important

Air conditioner and furnace maintenance tends to focus on checking refrigerant levels, examining system components for wear and tear, and cleaning sensors. However, one area people overlook is replacing the air filter. And, as you’ll see, this simple maintenance task provides many benefits beyond system efficiency.

It Improves Indoor Air Quality
Clogged air filters will still trap dust and fine debris, but the reduced airflow through the house will decrease the air quality.

Replacing a dirty filter with a clean one allows air to circulate more freely and capture pollutants more quickly, giving you cleaner indoor air.

It Extends the Lifespan of Your Equipment
When your HVAC filters are dirty, the system works harder to bring in enough air to distribute heat and cooling through the house. This extra work increases the rate at which the unit wears out, and you can end up cutting years off of its operating life by running it with dirty filters.

It Saves Money On Utility Bills
Another problem that stems from your system working harder is higher utility bills because it’s using more energy to heat and cool your home, trying to get the air it needs to function correctly.

It Prevents Costly Repairs
When your HVAC unit works harder than necessary, it increases the chance that it will fail prematurely, requiring expensive repairs or replacement. Routine HVAC maintenance and filter replacement are your best defense against sudden, costly repairs.

How Often Should You Replace Your AC Filter?

Generally, most HVAC manufacturers recommend that you change your filter every 90 days; however, that can vary depending on many factors, including your location, whether or not you have pets, and the local climate.

Experts recommend changing the filter every 60 days if you have indoor pets. Also, if you have people living with you who have respiratory problems or allergies, you may want to change the filter approximately once a month.

A good rule of thumb is that the more you use your air conditioner or heater, the more frequently you change your air filter.

What Kind of Air Filter Should I Get?

Walk into your local hardware or big box home improvement retailer, and you’ll find a wide range of HVAC filters to choose from. So, how do you know which one is best for your system?

HVAC filters have a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating to help people decide. The MERV rating measures how effectively the filter stops debris from passing through it and getting into your home.

The higher the MERV rating, the more effective they are at trapping small particles.

So, you should get the filter with the highest rating, right?

Well, not exactly.

When it comes to your particular HVAC unit, higher isn’t always better. Using an air filter with a rating higher than what your manufacturer calls for will impede system performance because the filter’s pores may be too small for adequate airflow. Also, if your system works harder to pull in air, it will cause it to wear out more quickly.

The best way to find out which filter to use is to check the instruction manual that came with your unit or call a professional HVAC technician for filter replacement.