subject: When To Change Your Furnace Filter [print this page] Most North Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. And with all the modern emphasis on efficiency, some homes are so airtight that airborne particles get trapped indoors and can't escape. So the Utah air conditioning inside many homes is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air!
If you think this might be the case in your home, check the furnace you are now using, it can help you start cleaning things up. Old and filthy furnace filters make the unit run poorly. This makes it hard to breathe and the cause of many respiratory diseases that are expensive to cure.
What is the main purpose of a furnace filter? Furnace manufacturers put inexpensive fiberglass filters into their furnaces to remove airborne particles that might damage the fan and the heating coil. Particle buildup can also decrease the efficiency of your furnace, as the furnace has to work harder to pull air through the intake.
If someone that you live with has allergy problems then you can look into getting filters specifically for that problem. If your Utah air conditioning unit is in great shape, then it can help alleviate these sorts of problems. They will remove pollen, bacteria and mold spores to help improve air quality.
It is a simple task to change the filter and there are various times to do that. Furnaces should come with paperwork from the manufacturer that gives the type of filter to use as well as ideal time increments to change out the filter. You will of course want to do it more often if you have pets.
If you use disposable fiberglass panel or electrostatic panel filters, you should change them anywhere from once a month to once every three months. Pleated filters generally last from three months to a year. Filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to change, so there is little reason to wait.
Filters can easily become clogged and blocked with dust and other particles. When this happens your furnace has to up its work load, which ends up costing you money on your energy bill. This can also cause damage to your Utah air conditioning unit, which is far more costly to replace!
Generally you can buy your filter from any source. It's easy to walk into any home improvement warehouse and find what you need in their selection. Check with a filter vendor or the documentation that came with your furnace if you are not sure.
