Why Replace Your Furnace Filter?

Regularly changing your furnace's air filter helps improve the quality of air in your home or business by reducing the amount of airborne allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, and smoke. With time, air filters collect enough airborne particles to become blocked, eventually doing more harm than good. Changing your filter regularly helps reduce the amount of dust circulating in your home, and cleans the air you breathe more effectively.

Apart from the health benefits associated with changing your furnace's air filter on a regular basis, your HVAC system will also benefit, as it will be able to operate at peak efficiency; ultimately leading to lower energy consumption as well as reduced wear and tear.  A clean air filter also helps avoid costly repair bills that can be caused by blocked air filters and their effect on your ventilation system.  The #1 cause of system failure is dirt and neglect.

According to EnergyStar.gov, residential air filters should ideally be changed once a month (for 1" filters) or once every three months (for 4"+ filters). The thicker the air filter, the longer it can be used in your furnace.  Other variables that affect the useful life of your air filter include geographical location, the season, and the frequency and duration that your HVAC system is running. A good rule of thumb is to check your furnace's air filter once every month in order to assess its condition. According to www.conststudy.com, air filter replacement along with proper maintenance of your HVAC coils is the most important task to perform in order to prolong the life of your HVAC equipment.