Replacing or cleaning your furnace filter really isn't that difficult. It only takes a couple of short minutes and doesn't require fancy tools or equipment. When you consider the fact a poorly maintained filter is actually a health hazard to your family you begin to realise how important this small task really is.
You should check your air filters for blockage at least once a month, especially if you use continuous heat throughout the winter season. While people still use disposable fiberglass filters, the reusable filters that are out on the market have several advantages over the old, use once and throw away fiberglass filters. They are dependable, are inexpensive (under $50), and as they can be easily washed and reused, save you money, as well as lightening the environmental impact that disposable products present. In no time you should see an increase in your furnaces efficiency (and thus lower bills), and without the need to buy a new filter for every filter change, you should see a direct financial gain from the use of reusable furnace filters.
The reusable, non disposable varieties are way cheaper and surprisingly easy to maintain. Plus, over the course of its lifetime, a single reusable furnace filter will save you a great deal of money.
1. Don't ever work on an electrical appliance without unplugging the power source. The same applies with gas and gas appliances. Safety must come first. 2. Find the furnace service panel. Have a read through the service manual prior to conducting work to see which tools it suggests. Most furnace doors are opened by hand whereas others tend to be screwed or fixed in place. 3. Have a look around and find the spongy panel or other such object with a 1" or greater width. Pull this filter out and check to see if it requires cleaning in the case of reusable or replaced for disposable. Being able to see through a filter is an indication that it is still in working order.
A filter that blocks light when held up to a window should be changed. If the case is the former, put it back in, reconnect the filter, lock up the furnace and switch the power back on. Otherwise, replace or clean followed by the same process. I cannot stress enough how important it is to check furnace filters on a regular basis.
If your filter is a disposable one be sure to replace it with the exact same type. For reusable filters give it a good thorough rinse or hose down in the garden, clean out all the dirt and replace it. Make sure the filter is bone dry throughout before reinserting it into your furnace. This will improve its efficiency and stop it attracting dirt and reclogging virtually immediately.
That's really all there is to it. It's a simple and crucially important task which must be carried out.
You should check your air filters for blockage at least once a month, especially if you use continuous heat throughout the winter season. While people still use disposable fiberglass filters, the reusable filters that are out on the market have several advantages over the old, use once and throw away fiberglass filters. They are dependable, are inexpensive (under $50), and as they can be easily washed and reused, save you money, as well as lightening the environmental impact that disposable products present. In no time you should see an increase in your furnaces efficiency (and thus lower bills), and without the need to buy a new filter for every filter change, you should see a direct financial gain from the use of reusable furnace filters.
The reusable, non disposable varieties are way cheaper and surprisingly easy to maintain. Plus, over the course of its lifetime, a single reusable furnace filter will save you a great deal of money.
1. Don't ever work on an electrical appliance without unplugging the power source. The same applies with gas and gas appliances. Safety must come first. 2. Find the furnace service panel. Have a read through the service manual prior to conducting work to see which tools it suggests. Most furnace doors are opened by hand whereas others tend to be screwed or fixed in place. 3. Have a look around and find the spongy panel or other such object with a 1" or greater width. Pull this filter out and check to see if it requires cleaning in the case of reusable or replaced for disposable. Being able to see through a filter is an indication that it is still in working order.
A filter that blocks light when held up to a window should be changed. If the case is the former, put it back in, reconnect the filter, lock up the furnace and switch the power back on. Otherwise, replace or clean followed by the same process. I cannot stress enough how important it is to check furnace filters on a regular basis.
If your filter is a disposable one be sure to replace it with the exact same type. For reusable filters give it a good thorough rinse or hose down in the garden, clean out all the dirt and replace it. Make sure the filter is bone dry throughout before reinserting it into your furnace. This will improve its efficiency and stop it attracting dirt and reclogging virtually immediately.
That's really all there is to it. It's a simple and crucially important task which must be carried out.
About the Author:
Howard W. Kingsbridge is a home maintenance specialist. He writes articles about maintaining your furnace filter and also about the importance of changing your Honeywell furnace filter.