Furnace Filters

Furnace filters prevent dust and debris build-up from damaging the internal furnace parts in your HVAC system while increasing operational efficiency and lengthening its life. Filters can prevent harmful contaminants like dust, mold spores, and pet dander from circulating throughout your home and airspace causing breathing problems. Replacing your furnace filter regularly ensures you and your family will breathe clean air and have a well-functioning heating system. 

Typically a furnace filter should be changed every one to three months to make sure your furnace keeps operating smoothly. Regularly check your HVAC filter often to ensure it isn’t clogged because clogs can reduce efficiency and could cause damage. If you smoke or have a pet, you may need to change your furnace filter every 30 days. 

Furnace filters come in different sizes and types and their capabilities range from simple to highly specialized. Fiberglass filters are the simplest type but offer less air filtration than some other types. They do prevent larger dust particles and debris from circulating in your home. Pleated furnace filters provide better filtration due to their higher MERV ratings and capture smaller particles so they don’t circulate. With the highest level of filtration, HEPA filters get rid of almost all airborne contaminants including unhealthy allergens, allowing you to breathe clean air. Reusable and washable furnace filters can save you money but require cleaning more often than disposable types of filters. 

To determine the specific size of furnace filter you need to use in your HVAC system, look at your current furnace filter size which may be printed on its frame. Remember there is a difference between the filter’s nominal and actual measurements. If you threw away the old one, measure the opening where it usually fits. Check the size before you buy a replacement because the size is important for ensuring proper airflow and preventing your HVAC system from damage. You may be able to find out the size if you read your HVAC system manual. 

Furnace filters have various levels of MERV ratings. They are sold in ranges from 1 to 20. Filters with higher levels provide better filtration for capturing airborne particles. Residences use filters with MERV ratings of 8 to 1 for trapping pollen, dust, pet dander, and other contaminants. Hospitals and industrial settings prefer high-quality filters with MERV ratings of 14 or higher to capture bacteria, smoke, and harmful contaminants. Selecting a filter with the right MERV rating depends on whether it's compatible with your HVAC system and your specific needs for air quality. 

Environmentally-friendly reusable furnace filters don’t need to be frequently replaced because they can be cleaned and are cost-effective. Because they’re made of washable electrostatic fibers, they might not trap as many tiny particles the way high-efficiency disposable filters do. Make sure you consistently check and clean your reusable furnace filters to maintain their effectiveness and ensure your HVAC system doesn’t get clogged with debris. 

Air furnace filters can remove common allergy triggers from your home environment including pollen, dust, mold spores, and pet dander, making sure your living space is more breathable. When you’re exposed to these allergens, they can make respiratory symptoms worse and potentially cause more serious health issues. To ensure your home has clean air, use the proper HVAC furnace filter for your system and consistently replace it when it needs it, so you can be sure you’ll have a healthier indoor environment for every person who lives in your household. 

If you use the wrong filter size for your HVAC system it doesn’t create a proper seal and will allow contaminants to bypass the filter and accumulate, potentially clogging your system. It may strain your HVAC system and damage its parts if you use the wrong size furnace filter and it could cause your utility bill to rise and cost you more money. When an HVAC filter is too big for your system, it won’t fit right and could block proper airflow, making it work much harder to attempt to circulate air. Using the wrong size filter can lower your HVAC system’s lifespan. Make sure you use the proper size to keep your system operating at its best to provide peak performance.

Furnace filters prevent dust and debris build-up from damaging the internal furnace parts in your HVAC system while increasing operational efficiency and lengthening its life. Filters can prevent harmful contaminants like dust, mold spores, and pet dander from circulating throughout your home and airspace causing breathing problems. Replacing your furnace filter regularly ensures you and your family will breathe clean air and have a well-functioning heating system. 

Typically a furnace filter should be changed every one to three months to make sure your furnace keeps operating smoothly. Regularly check your HVAC filter often to ensure it isn’t clogged because clogs can reduce efficiency and could cause damage. If you smoke or have a pet, you may need to change your furnace filter every 30 days. 

Furnace filters come in different sizes and types and their capabilities range from simple to highly specialized. Fiberglass filters are the simplest type but offer less air filtration than some other types. They do prevent larger dust particles and debris from circulating in your home. Pleated furnace filters provide better filtration due to their higher MERV ratings and capture smaller particles so they don’t circulate. With the highest level of filtration, HEPA filters get rid of almost all airborne contaminants including unhealthy allergens, allowing you to breathe clean air. Reusable and washable furnace filters can save you money but require cleaning more often than disposable types of filters. 

To determine the specific size of furnace filter you need to use in your HVAC system, look at your current furnace filter size which may be printed on its frame. Remember there is a difference between the filter’s nominal and actual measurements. If you threw away the old one, measure the opening where it usually fits. Check the size before you buy a replacement because the size is important for ensuring proper airflow and preventing your HVAC system from damage. You may be able to find out the size if you read your HVAC system manual. 

Furnace filters have various levels of MERV ratings. They are sold in ranges from 1 to 20. Filters with higher levels provide better filtration for capturing airborne particles. Residences use filters with MERV ratings of 8 to 1 for trapping pollen, dust, pet dander, and other contaminants. Hospitals and industrial settings prefer high-quality filters with MERV ratings of 14 or higher to capture bacteria, smoke, and harmful contaminants. Selecting a filter with the right MERV rating depends on whether it's compatible with your HVAC system and your specific needs for air quality. 

Environmentally-friendly reusable furnace filters don’t need to be frequently replaced because they can be cleaned and are cost-effective. Because they’re made of washable electrostatic fibers, they might not trap as many tiny particles the way high-efficiency disposable filters do. Make sure you consistently check and clean your reusable furnace filters to maintain their effectiveness and ensure your HVAC system doesn’t get clogged with debris. 

Air furnace filters can remove common allergy triggers from your home environment including pollen, dust, mold spores, and pet dander, making sure your living space is more breathable. When you’re exposed to these allergens, they can make respiratory symptoms worse and potentially cause more serious health issues. To ensure your home has clean air, use the proper HVAC furnace filter for your system and consistently replace it when it needs it, so you can be sure you’ll have a healthier indoor environment for every person who lives in your household. 

If you use the wrong filter size for your HVAC system it doesn’t create a proper seal and will allow contaminants to bypass the filter and accumulate, potentially clogging your system. It may strain your HVAC system and damage its parts if you use the wrong size furnace filter and it could cause your utility bill to rise and cost you more money. When an HVAC filter is too big for your system, it won’t fit right and could block proper airflow, making it work much harder to attempt to circulate air. Using the wrong size filter can lower your HVAC system’s lifespan. Make sure you use the proper size to keep your system operating at its best to provide peak performance.

Turn off your HVAC system to safely and correctly replace your furnace air filter. Locate the air filter slot, which is usually near the return air duct or the blower. Take off the previous one and observe the airflow arrow's direction, which is typically printed on the frame. Point the arrows in the same direction as the previous filter after inserting the new one into the slot. In most cases, the arrows point in the direction of the blower motor or furnace. To stop air from bypassing it, make sure it fits correctly. After replacing the cover, restart your HVAC system.