Why Change Your Furnace Filter

It is important to change your furnace filter every 3 months as a general rule. In times when your home may be dustier due to construction or sanding, for example, it may be necessary to change your filter more often. It is also advisable for families who suffer from allergies or other respiratory problems to change their furnace filter more regularly than usual.

There are a number of reasons why it is important to change your furnace filter. The indoor air specialists at Air Solution will explain some of the reasons in this article. If you have any questions about your furnace filter and indoor air quality, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to answer your questions.

Here’s why you should change your furnace filter.

Improved air quality

A clean furnace filter improves the quality of the air you breathe by capturing and collecting any dust and debris floating around your home. Common house dust consists of

• Dead skin, animal hair, and fur
• Pollen and dander
• Fabric fibers
• Bacteria
• Mites and dead insects
• Dirt from the outside

If your furnace filter is not changed regularly, it will become clogged with dust and moisture, which will lead to the growth of bacteria and mold. If you don’t replace these dirty filters, you will be circulating contaminated air through your furnace and vents. To maintain high-quality indoor air, change your furnace filter at least once every 3 months.

Cleaner ventilation ducts

A dirty furnace filter will not prevent dust, dirt, and other contaminants listed above from passing through the furnace blower and into your ducts.

It is normal for your cold air return ducts to become dusty, as they draw air from every room in your home and send it to the furnace to be heated.

Your warm air supply ducts that carry heated air from the furnace to your heat vents will remain clean and dust-free.

In addition to the obvious health benefits of having clean air ducts, it is important to consider that the cost of a new furnace filter is far less than the cost of having your air ducts professionally cleaned more often than necessary if you neglect to change your filter regularly.

Reduced heating costs

A dirty filter allows less air to pass through and forces your furnace motor (also called a blower) to use more gas and electricity to keep your home at the desired temperature.

By changing your furnace filter regularly, you will save money on your electricity bill because the blower will not have to run as long to get the right amount of air pressure needed to move the air from the furnace.

Your gas bill can be reduced by replacing your filter, as more air will flow through your clean ducts and the thermostat won’t need to trigger the furnace to heat as often.

Less wear and tear

Dirty furnace filters allow dust to get in and clog your furnace’s heating coil and pump compressor. When the pump has to work harder and longer to push air through it to keep your home warm, the motor overheats and wears out faster.

Replacing a furnace blower and compressor, or repairing other motor parts that have worn out prematurely are costly expenses that you can avoid by diligently changing your furnace filter every 3 months.

Changing your furnace filter is an important part of maintaining your HVAC heating and cooling system. By changing your filter every 3 months, you will help your furnace run more efficiently, you will also help your ducts and vents provide warm, clean air more efficiently, and your family will stay healthy and comfortable this winter.

If you have any questions about changing your furnace filter or any other problem you are experiencing with your home heating system, please contact us. The team at Solution D’Air proudly serves the Gatineau area and is always here to help you. Head over to Tech Idea International for more tips on changing furnace filters.