Seasonal checks and yearly replacement of air filters for furnaces can have a big effect on your fuel bills in terms of energy savings. Yearly replacements ensure that the furnace is working in its maximum efficiency. An ill-maintained furnace filter can cause more harm than benefits.
You should clean the air filters regularly to ensure that it is free of mites, microscopic bugs, bacteria, viruses, pollens, dust particles, etc. which gets lodged inside the nets of the filter. If you are in a congested metropolis, your furnace air filter would need more frequent maintenance. Therefore, besides a yearly clean up you would have to clean the filters in every alternate month. Yearly replacement of the air filters is always advisable to keep your indoor air quality at desired level.
There are few basic steps for replacing the air filters of your furnace. Turn off the system and look for the service panel. Remove the panels to locate the air filter. Before you place the new filter, look for an arrow indicating the direction of airflow along the edge of the new filter. Make sure that the arrow is pointing toward the blower motor and other related machinery. Make sure that you are not installing the filter in a backwards airflow manner as this will decreases the efficiency of the air filter. Finally turn your system on to check whether it is functioning properly.
Furnace air filters can be permanent with metal framing or fiberglass or disposable with cardboard frames. Disposable models are cheap but can work for a month or so. On the other hand, permanent filters are cost effective. Furnace filters come with a Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) rating that denotes the efficiency of the product. The higher the MERV rating, the more intense is the filtration.
For yearly replacement of air filters for your furnace, you must prepare a checklist. For example, in the months of January to March clean or change furnace filters carefully looking for mites, bacteria, or viruses. During April and May replace filters which are worn off or clogged with dust and soot. During June to August service the filters following the manufacturer’s manual and change forced air furnace filters. It is time to change the furnace filters again in September to November.
Fall and winter is the time of year when we pay attention to home heating. You can seek professional help for yearly cleaning of your furnace air filters. They can be cleaned with high-powered vacuums and scrubber brushes. If required, they can also be replaced around this time. The key benefits of such replacements are lowering in the level of household dust, removal of insects, bacteria, pollen, and fungus that can alleviate allergy symptoms, better air circulation, and reduction in home heating bills. Some simple measures like yearly replacement of the furnace air filter can maintain the cleanliness of your home’s indoor climate to turn it into a healthy haven.
