Five Tips For When It’s Time To Replace Your Furnace’s Filter

Your furnace filter is crucial to the healthy operation of your HVAC system; it protects your heating equipment from dust, mold and other particle buildup, and helps improve indoor air quality by filtering out those same airborne particles. A dirty filter, however, will restrict airflow and lower your furnace's efficiency. Changing your furnace filter is an easy maintenance chore that you can do yourself, and it is an effective money saver. Here are five tips to help with proper filter maintenance:

• Turn off the electrical power to your furnace before you perform any maintenance.
• Clean the area around the filter and around your furnace. Make sure the area is clear of dust and other debris that could potentially be drawn into the system.
• Inspect your filter at least once per month. Refer to your furnace's manual for instructions on how to access the air filter if you don't know where it's located.
• Replace your furnace filter with a new one that is the same size as the old one. Refer to your furnace's owner's manual for specific instructions. It is important for the new filter to fit securely and properly in the filter slot in order to work properly.
• Use high-efficiency filters, which can be a cost-effective way to improve indoor air quality. They are designed to catch most airborne particles and prevent them from circulating through your home. If you are upgrading to a high-efficiency filter, however, make sure that it will work with your system, as they have surfaces that are tightly woven to filter out particles, but can prohibit airflow and decrease furnace efficiency.

Changing your air filter is a maintenance chore that you can easily do yourself; however, professional planned maintenance is a good way to get the most out of your furnace. A professional tune-up improves the life span of your equipment, and an inspection will identify problems before they cause major malfunctions or break downs.

If you have any questions about furnace filters, or other ways to increase your heating efficiency, contact Santa Fe Air Conditioning & Heating. We're happy to answer any questions you have!