How To Change A Furnace Filter

Changing the filter on your furnace doesn't just mean that your air will be cleaner;

it also means that your furnace will work more efficiently (and last longer), thus lowering the cost of your energy bill. It's not difficult to change your filter. Here's what you need to do.

Before you do anything else, vacuum or sweep around your furnace to get rid of any dust build-up. Once you've got a clean work area, locate the service panel. It is usually on the lower front or side of the furnace. Turn your furnace off. As a good safety precaution, also turn off the power at the main circuit breaker.

Next, pull down or pop off the panel door and locate the filter. The filter, a mesh rectangular screen with a frame, is usually near the intake-outtake blower compartment. In an up-flow furnace, it will be in the bottom door next to the cold air return. You'll have to take off both the top and bottom doors. In a down-flow furnace, the filter is in the upper blower compartment and requires two filters if it uses a V shape filter system. Horizontal furnaces have a built-in sliding furnace rack as do air handlers. Make sure that you don't have a filter in the air handler and filter grill, as this will reduce air flow.

Once you've found the filter, pull it out and check for dust build-up. If the filter is reusable (plastic or metal), spray the mesh with a hose to get rid of the dust. After it's dry, return it to the furnace. If the filter is disposable (cardboard), throw it away and buy a new filter at a hardware store to replace it. (Keep in mind that cheap filters may not work efficiently, while brands like Filtrete furnace filters will likely do a better job.) Note that the air flow arrows point in the direction of the blower motor or furnace. If you have a V-shape filter system, put the two filters in the plenum (in the shape of a V).

When you've returned or replaced the filter, put the doors back on. If you have an up-flow furnace, make sure that the bottom door goes over the frame and engages the safety switch. Otherwise, the furnace won't work. The same is true for the down-flow furnace. You'll want to make sure that the top door engages the safety switch.

Enjoy your clean air!

by: Art Gib

POST COMMENT

Cracking radiators Dream dies Can someone show me a real time saving route planner? Handlink Debuts guestWiFi at 2011 International CES Understanding Adolescent Scoliosis PDF Merging- Do It with an Effective Tool Increasing Your Brain Power Naturally Check Point positioned as a leader for UTM How to develop your company brand? Hearing Loss: 4 Enjoyable Yet Risky Activities What is Silat? Selecting Humidity Sensors For Manufacturing Use Your Talents To Glorify God- Part 1