Furnace Filter Replacement Is More Important Than Home Owners Know

A large majority of home owners do not understand how important regular furnace filter monitoring and replacement is. Furnace filters impact homes and even the environment dramatically when they are not checked regularly and changed periodically.

In an attempt to produce cleaner inside air, large numbers of home owners are installing air cleaners and air purifiers. Rightly so, as inside air is more polluted than the air we breathe outside. Interestingly enough, however, home owners fail to give furnace filters the attention they deserve and only add to the work air cleaners are trying to do within the home.

Dirty, plugged furnace filters lose their ability to clean the air that circulates through them and is blown back into the home. Dirty furnace filters allow truck loads of dust and grime to reenter the home and live in heating ducts where the dust becomes breeding grounds for mites and other harmful critters.

There is a downside to running dirty furnace filters from an energy standpoint as well. Blocked, even partially blocked, and filters force furnaces to draw more air than necessary. This draws on electricity, costing far more to run the furnace than clean units do. It also causes furnaces to run more and tax furnace motors and internal structures. Dirty furnaces live short lives.

Regular replacement of the furnace filter prevents all of these problems. Home owners should follow their manufacturer’s recommendations, but as a general rule, furnace filters should be inspected monthly and replacement furnace filter pads should be installed whenever light cannot be seen through the filter. This usually means replacing a box, pad, or pleated furnace filter every three months.

Air cleaning efforts often mean that the heating system in a home is combined with an air cleaner, either before or after the furnace. Furnace air filter replacement should also follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, but it doesn’t hurt to check the furnace air filter on a cleaning unit whenever the furnace filter is checked or replaced.

There are some newer systems that use electronic furnace filters, like the Honeywell electronic furnace filter. This type of filter attracts the dust and dirt and is not replaced, but does require regular cleaning (in warm water) of the collection plate. Again, the manufacturer is the best resource for filter cleaning information for this type of filter.

To replace a furnace filter there are just a few things home owners need to know. First, they’ll need furnace model information (located on the furnace or in the owner’s manual). Home owners need to know what size furnace filter they need; 30x30 furnace filters are a common size, but they can be larger or smaller.

It’s also good for homeowners to have an idea of some good quality furnace filters made by manufacturers with a good reputation for clean air. Trane furnace filters, 3m furnace filters, and Air Bear furnace filters are popular and reliable. Honeywell furnace filters makes Air Bear furnace and air filters.

As costly as furnaces are and as important as clean warm air is in the home, regular furnace filter maintenance is not to be ignored. Neglect of the furnace filter causes premature furnace replacement and health issues. Two good reasons for home owners to learn the how’s and when’s of this simple, inexpensive chore that can make a big impact overall.