How, Why and When to Change Your Furnace Filter

Everybody has to have a furnace filter. And each filter must be modified.

A lot of householders let this go too lengthy. And when this occurs, issues happen. They won’t occur immediately, however it’s solely a matter of time. And even earlier than these clearly dangerous issues (like your system failing totally!) you’re going to have a much less environment friendly system.

So let’s repair this proper now.

We’re going to speak you thru selecting a filter, what filter rankings imply, what you may count on when you don’t change your filter on time, and how one can care for the filter change your self. By the top, it is best to have a years-long plan for managing your filtration in a manner that can profit your house and household essentially the most.

Selecting a Furnace Filter

Your proprietor’s guide is an effective place to begin for filtration necessities and limits, however this guide received’t at all times present all of the choices accessible to you.

However, I hear you considering, a filter is a filter, proper? Not at all times. Whereas it’s true that any previous filter will seize some particles that journey by your HVAC system, filters usually are not created equal.

Simply as importantly, they’re not equal in a number of methods. Most individuals consider what number of particles a filter captures, however there are different related components to think about as nicely. These components embrace:

• Dimension of the filter in relation to your system
• How a lot of the filter is uncovered by cardboard, plastic, or different supplies
• How a lot (or little) a filter permits for airflow in your system (this can be a huge one)
• Lastly, its potential to seize small particulates, which pertains to your potential to breathe simple in relation to allergy and flu season

Filter measurement is one thing that may be mentioned together with your HVAC accomplice. Your choices might embrace store-bought filters or others that your HVAC accomplice has accessible to them by varied producers.

Filter design can also be essential. Some filters are designed with a criss-cross sample of cardboard or different materials that limits the floor space of a filter. This may cut back the efficacy of a filter considerably, even when you’ve upgraded it. Design issues, which is why cheaper filters are sometimes cheaper

Correct airflow in your system is important. We’re going to speak extra about this later, however it’s a central cause to wash or exchange your filters in a well timed method.

Filter ranking can positively matter, and it’s usually what will get essentially the most consideration. To debate it, we have to speak about MERV Score.

MERV Score

MERV stands for Minimal Effectivity Reporting Worth, which is a long-winded manner of claiming that it’s based mostly on effectivity. The upper your MERV Score, the extra environment friendly will probably be at capturing particles of various sizes.

Smaller particles are usually essentially the most harmful as a result of it’s simpler for them to enter your lungs. So a better MERV Score, in idea, can assist with this.

Increased MERV rankings are typically considered “higher,” however I put that in quotes as a result of it’s not at all times true. The density of a filter issues. So a one-inch filter that’s MERV 13 may be very totally different from a four-inch filter that’s MERV 13. The one-inch model can be denser, so it’s going to inhibit airflow.

That is typically an issue even with decrease MERV-rating filters. In the event that they’re too skinny, they’re packed too tightly to permit for correct airflow.

Nonetheless, so long as airflow is accounted for, larger MERV is certainly often higher. In reality, current research have proven that MERV 13 filters are required to reliably cease sure airborne viruses.

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Why Change Your Filter

We touched on a handful of causes earlier, however I need to speak about a few of the long-term results of neglecting your filter.

Our service techs will typically should “restore” a system that has totally shut down, and the one quick downside is the filter. That’s proper; a worst-case situation is a whole system shutdown.

That’s uncommon, to be clear. However there are a variety of intermediate issues that poor filtration could cause that can finally result in pricey repairs or full system replacements.

One instance is static strain. It’d sound innocent, however it impacts everything of your HVAC system. When a filter turns into filled with detritus, the air received’t transfer by it simply. This creates airflow backups within the system, which in flip makes your system run tougher than it could in any other case must. The downsides of this are myriad.

Quick-term Downsides:

1. Pockets of cold and warm spots in your house
2. Lack of airflow to sure vents
3. Longer run occasions on your furnace or air conditioner
4. Increased vitality payments because of the longer run occasions
5. Much less consolation in your house

Lengthy-term Downsides:

1. Spots of excessive strain in your ductwork could cause leaks
2. Making your system work tougher and extra usually signifies that its lifespan can be considerably lowered over various years

The explanation that is so insidious is that your system will in all probability run for months or years with a clogged filter. So when you simply overlook about it, you’ll get a minimum of some heating and cooling.

However will probably be extra pricey, much less snug, and your system will both break down or begin to have severe issues years earlier than it could in any other case.

All due to a filter. Ethical of the story: change your filter on time.

When to Change Your Filter

Any filter could have a really helpful alternative schedule on its packaging. This might be as little as each 30-60 days, or so long as a 12 months. It’s really helpful that you simply persist with this schedule.

Nonetheless, this schedule is only a suggestion, not an inviolable rule. A number of components can (and may) have an effect on how usually you alter your filter. These components embrace:

1. Pets. In case you have a number of pets in your house, your filter will clog extra rapidly.
2. Allergy and sickness issues. If it’s allergy season, or your loved ones contains somebody who’s immunocompromised, you could need to take into account changing it extra usually.
3. People who smoke. If you’re in a smoking family, filters will gather particulates from this extra rapidly than in another properties.
4. How usually do you run your system? That is one we overlook about, however your filter is simply working when the blower fan is operating. This might be for air con or heating. However, for instance, when you spend nearly all of the summer time out of the house, you might be able to depart your filter in for longer than really helpful. Conversely, when you’re operating the system nearly consistently in a specific season, well timed replacements are in fact really helpful.

It’s additionally essential so that you can monitor your house. Are you beginning to discover unusual smells? Does mud appear to build up extra rapidly than standard? These might be indicators that your filter isn’t working effectively and requires cleansing or alternative.

Tips on how to Change a Furnace Filter

Under are some widespread steps for altering your filter. When doubtful, discuss with the person’s guide on your furnace or name your HVAC contracting accomplice.

1. Find your filter within the furnace unit. More often than not it is fairly simple however you might have to take away a panel to seek out it. Your proprietor’s guide can assist on this regard.
2. Flip your HVAC unit off earlier than doing any upkeep. You do not need it kicking on when you’re altering out the filter or taking off panels.
3. The furnace filter is at all times situated between the air return duct and air provide (conditioned air) duct.
4. Decide which manner the air flows. It at all times flows from the return to provide, to be recirculated into your ductwork
5. As soon as you’ve got situated the filter it needs to be simple to tug it out and slide the brand new one. That is the place it’s a must to keep in mind the path of airflow. There can be an arrow on the brand new filter, and it should level within the path the air is transferring. In some circumstances, the furnace filter can catch on some tough edges if you’re attempting to slip it in. Do not get annoyed. Simply take your time and wiggle it round and it’ll slide into place. If it is tremendous sophisticated, in a good house, otherwise you’re utterly uncertain tell us. We’re completely happy to have a look and alter your filter throughout your upkeep go to.

Washable Filters

Some HVAC methods have washable, semi-permanent air filters. There’s nothing flawed with them so long as you wash them regularly. Should you do not like the effort of washing, you may often exchange them with a paper or fiberglass filter.

System Upkeep & Filters

Whereas altering air filters on furnaces is a reasonably simple do-it-yourself job, a lot of householders overlook to carry out the duty commonly.

So it’s right here that I’d wish to make a suggestion: tie filter adjustments to your upkeep visits from an HVAC skilled.

For readability, you don’t want to do that. However when you have a full HVAC system (air conditioner or warmth pump, plus a furnace) you need to be having them serviced every year. Normally, it makes essentially the most sense to schedule visits six months aside: one for cooling tools and one for heating tools.

Any HVAC firm value its salt will be capable to change out your filter as a part of the routine upkeep course of. So when you have

The downside is when you have a less expensive filter that might want to change each 30-60 days. That is a part of the explanation we advocate the four-inch media filters which can be designed to advertise airflow, often have larger MERV rankings than entry-level filters, and usually final about six months.

Regardless, your HVAC tune-ups are a good time to deal with this.

RELATED: HVAC Tune-ups: Why You Want One & What’s Included

FURTHER READING: How A lot Does a Furnace Price?

Should you’re able to schedule service with Fireplace & Ice, we would love to listen to from you. We’ll be completely happy to care for all of your air filtration wants.