When was the last time you changed the furnace filter in your home? For many homeowners, this is a home maintenance task that is easily overlooked and forgotten. Yet if you aren’t changing your filter, you are harming the indoor air quality in your home as well as the efficiency of your furnace. This is a part of the routine furnace maintenance process, and it’s a task that should be performed regularly-but how often is regularly?
Here’s a closer look at furnace filters, what they do, and how often they should be changed.
What the Furnace Filter Does
Your furnace filter serves as a barrier between your ductwork and your furnace or air conditioner. After the air is heated or cooled, it runs through the furnace filter before entering the ductwork and your home. The filter traps allergens, grit, and grime that are transported on the air and prevents them from entering the home.
Why Change the Furnace Filter?
Over time, all of the gunk that the filter grabbed out of the air begins to clog it. If the furnace filter is not changed, the furnace or air conditioner must work harder to push the air through the home. This, in turn, can cause premature failure of the system. It will also drive up your energy bills. In addition, a clogged or dirty furnace filter isn’t able to do its job well, and so it will allow more allergens to enter the home.
How Often Should I Change the Filter?
At Aladdin Air Conditioning & Heating, we recommend changing your furnace filter about once every other month. However, some factors will impact how often you should change it. You should change the filter more frequently if you:
- Have pets
- Have a small furnace filter
- Have a dusty home
- Keep the furnace fan continuously running
- Have problems with allergies or asthma in your family
- Leave your windows or doors open
- Have a smoker in your home
All of these activities will add allergens and debris to the filter, and thus, would require more frequent changes.
How Else Should I Be Maintaining My Furnace?
The key to keeping your furnace running at peak performance for as long as possible is in routine furnace maintenance. There are plenty of tasks that need to be performed to keep your furnace running smoothly throughout the winter, and the easiest way to accomplish them is by calling Aladdin for your annual furnace tune-up!
When you call us for your annual furnace maintenance appointment, we’ll send a fully trained and certified heating professional to your home to perform service. Your technician will:
- Inspect furnace flue venting safety
- Check gas valve operation
- Check for proper airflow
- Test capacitor and starting components
- Provide written estimates for any recommended repairs
- And more
Find Out More About Furnace Filters from Aladdin Air Conditioning & Heating
Do you have more questions about furnace filters and how often you should change yours? This is a question that has no pat answer, and you may need an HVAC technician to take a look at your filter and make a personal recommendation.
Give Aladdin Air Conditioning & Heating a call today to discuss your furnace filter needs. Our qualified HVAC technicians will help you determine the right replacement schedule for your home and your furnace. We can also help you choose the most efficient filter, so you can improve the indoor air quality in your home.
If you still have questions about furnace filters or routine furnace maintenance, contact the Aladdin team online today!
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