How Often To Change Furnace Filter

When it comes to maintaining healthy indoor air quality, homeowners often focus on the regular replacement of their AC air filters, recognizing the importance of keeping the cooling system efficient. However, what might slip under the radar is the equally important task of changing the furnace filter at regular intervals. In any home with central air and heating, the furnace is like the heating superhero. It takes the cold air in and heats it up before distributing it throughout the home via the air handler. You can consider it an integral part of your HVAC air filtration system. Inside this heating system, you have parts like the heat exchanger, combustion chamber, and air blower, all working together to keep the surroundings warm and cozy.

Now, here’s where the furnace filter steps in as a key player. It’s like the clean-up crew, making sure the air that gets pumped around your home is nice and fresh. In this blog post, we will explore the essential question: how often should you change your furnace filter? Moreover, you will discover some of its importance and benefits. So, without any delay, let’s get started!

What Does A Furnace Filter Do?

A furnace filter plays a crucial role in your HVAC system by trapping dust, debris, and allergens from the air. It improves indoor air quality, prevents damage to the furnace, and enhances overall efficiency. Regularly changing the filter ensures optimal performance, extending the life of your system and promoting a healthier living environment. The energy efficiency of your furnace might be impacted if you don't have a filter because debris and various other particles will build up in your heating system. 

Additionally, a clean furnace filter helps maintain consistent airflow, ensuring even heating throughout your home. By capturing particles like pollen and pet dander, it contributes to a healthier atmosphere, especially for those with allergies. Neglecting filter maintenance can lead to reduced energy efficiency and increased utility costs. Regular inspection and replacement, typically every 1-3 months, are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of your furnace and creating a more comfortable and cost-effective indoor environment.

A filter with a higher MERV rating will capture larger amounts of particles, but it will need more frequent replacements than one with a lower rating. MERV 7 to 12 is the usual range for household filters; MERV 13 and higher are known as high-efficiency filters. They are typically functional with modern furnaces, but it's a good idea to confirm the compatibility with an HVAC professional if you are not sure.

How Often To Replace & Change Your Furnace Filter?

When it’s time to change your furnace filter, you will have to think about a few things to get it just right. It is usually recommended by experts to replace your air filter at least once every 90 days. But remember, this is just a general idea, and some situations indicate that you need to do it more often or less often.

The thickness of your furnace filter is one of the essential variables in deciding when to change it. Thicker furnace filters can hold more contaminants and dust and usually last longer. These filters are available in different sizes, like 1-inch, 2-inch, 4-inch, and 5-inch. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• For 1-inch furnace filters, it is generally advisable to replace them every 1 to 3 months.
• Likewise, 2-inch furnace filters typically require replacement every 1 to 3 months.
• Thicker 4-inch furnace filters may extend their replacement interval to 6 to 9 months.
• The most substantial 5-inch filters often maintain effectiveness for a longer period, necessitating replacement every 9 to 12 months.

The filter slot in your furnace and the air handler determine the thickness of your furnace filter. Don’t try to squeeze a big filter into a small slot or use a too-thin filter that won’t do the job right.

Also, keep in mind that thicker furnace filters might cost a bit more upfront as compared to the thin ones (1-inch and 2-inch furnace filters), but since they last longer, they can actually be a smarter money-saving choice over time. So, by thinking about these things, you can figure out the best time to change your filter and keep the air in your home clean and comfy.

Read More: Benefits of Air Filter

Why You Should Replace Your Furnace Filter More Frequently

Keeping the purity of the air in your house and the efficiency of your HVAC system depend on changing your furnace filter more frequently. Filters that get dirty or blocked can restrict airflow, which makes your furnace work harder and consume more energy, increasing your energy costs. Regular replacement of filters helps prevent the buildup of dust, allergies, and other particles in your house and improves the quality of the air you breathe. Additionally, it increases the life of your furnace by reducing the load on the parts, which can help you save on the cost of paying for future maintenance.

The Importance Of Changing Your Furnace Filter

It's important to change your furnace filter regularly for a few reasons. The filter keeps your air fresh and clean by capturing dust, pet dander, and other kinds of particles before they enter your house. The filter cannot efficiently filter the air if it gets blocked and dirty. Your furnace will have to work harder as a result, which will decrease the purity of the air and raise your energy costs.

Your furnace will work more effectively and help maintain clean air quality in your house if the filter remains clean. You save money on energy costs as the furnace doesn't have to work as hard when the filter is clean. By reducing the pressure on your HVAC system, regular filter changes also contribute to its longer lifespan. The possibility of costly repairs is decreased when the system doesn't have to work as hard and breaks out more slowly.

By allowing the effective functioning of your HVAC system, keeping your filter clean also contributes to the comfort of your home's temperature. In general, regular furnace filter changes result in improved air quality, lower energy costs, and a more lasting HVAC system, all of which improve the comfort and efficiency of your house.

Types Of Filters

The following are some popular types of furnace air filters, each with varying efficiency and air quality levels:

• Fiberglass Filters: These filters are the most basic and affordable and are made of multiple layers of fiberglass. They are primarily used to protect the furnace by capturing large dust particles; however, they are not very effective at removing allergens or smaller pollutants.
• Pleated Filters: Pleated filters have folds that improve their surface area and capture more particles, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. They are made of cotton or polyester. They come in various levels of efficiency and function better than fiberglass filters.
• Electrostatic Filters: These filters collect dust and pet dander using static electricity. In the long run, they are a more affordable solution because they are washable or disposable, allowing you to clean and reuse them.
• HEPA Filters: With a 99.97% efficiency rate, HEPA filters are capable of capturing particles as small as 0.3 microns. They are commonly used in families with allergies or respiratory problems, as well as in hospitals. HEPA filters, however, are not suitable for all furnaces because they may reduce airflow.
• Washable/Reusable Filters: These filters are made of materials that are washable and reusable, such as plastic or aluminum. They might not be as good as disposable filters at capturing microscopic particles, but they are more cost-effective and better for the environment in the long run.
• Activated Carbon Filters: Activated carbon filters help in removing gasses, smoke, and odors from the air in addition to trapping particles. They are frequently used with other filters to improve the quality of indoor air.
• UV Filters: UV filters use light from the sun to kill airborne germs and viruses. In houses where health is the number one priority, they are typically used combined with other filters for better air purification. However, they destroy dangerous microbes rather than capturing particles.

Not Every Central Air System Requires A Furnace Filter

You might be surprised to find out that not all central air systems use furnace filters. The HVAC system's structure determines whether a furnace filter is required. You might not even have a furnace in your HVAC system if, for example, you live in a place where air cooling is required every month of the year and heating is not necessary. Furnace filters are not required in such a situation.

Moreover, a single air filter can be used by certain HVAC systems for both cooling and heating purposes. There is only one filter in the air handler, rather than separate filters for the furnace and air conditioner. You do not require a separate furnace filter because this filter cleans the air before it enters the cooling unit or the furnace.

Indications That Your Furnace Filter Needs Replacing

Your furnace filter's replacement schedule can vary depending on several factors, and there might be seasons when you need to change it more frequently. It's helpful to keep looking for indications that your filter needs to be changed rather than following a set schedule. Here are a few clear warning signs and things you should consider to help you identify when it's time to replace your furnace filter.

Signs To Replace Your Furnace Filter

Here are some signs that you need to replace your furnace filter:

• Variations in Temperature: If the temperature in your house fluctuates a lot, it could be an indication that the efficiency of your furnace is being affected by the filter.

• Poorer Air Quality: Your filter might not be clean enough to remove dust or pollen from the air inside your home.

• Higher Energy Bills: Your furnace might have been working harder to heat your home if your heating bills have increased due to a dirty filter.

• Increased Dust and Pet Hair: Your filter might stop functioning as effectively as it should if you observe an increase in dust and pet hair in your home.

• Increased Allergy Symptoms: If you are experiencing more respiratory issues or allergies, it may be time to replace your filter.

• Broken Furnace Parts: A dirty filter may be the cause of wear and tear on your furnace's heat exchanger and other moving parts.

• Furnace Not Working: If your furnace is not working properly or shuts down, it could be due to a blocked filter.

Check the filter in your furnace if you are unsure. The pleats, which were once white, could change to grey or brown, and the filter may appear dirty. Larger debris particles trapped in the filter might also be visible.

Seasonal Furnace Filter Replacement: Winter vs. Summer

• Winter: If your air filter continues to look clean, you might be able to spend as long as three months (or roughly 90 days) without changing it. However, it's a good idea to check the filter once a month because your furnace works harder in the colder months. The filter can get blocked more quickly than you might think if it is used regularly during cold weather.

• Summer: Your air conditioner operates more frequently in the summer, which brings in more dust and air through the filter. It's important to replace the filter every month to keep everything operating effectively and prevent blockages. Regular checkups are necessary because the summer's higher humidity may additionally cause the air filter to fill up more quickly.

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Furnace Filter?

If you forget to change your furnace filter on time, it can lead to some serious issues. You might think it’s not a big deal, especially if you live in a mild climate or don’t worry too much about the air quality in your home. However, changing your furnace filter is important for more than just the air you breathe inside your house.

Even in a moderate climate with good air quality, it’s crucial to change your furnace filter as recommended to protect your HVAC system. The main job of the filter is not just to make the air cleaner but to keep the air that goes through the furnace and other HVAC parts clean. Many parts of the system can be harmed by air contaminants present in the air. When these things get into the system, they can cause problems and make the equipment work harder.

If you don’t change your furnace filter regularly, you might end up with a furnace that doesn’t work as efficiently and might not last as long. This means you will spend more money in the short term on energy bills for heating and cooling your home. In the long run, you could face more repairs and have to replace the furnace or the whole HVAC system sooner than you would expect. So, not changing your furnace filter doesn’t just affect the air quality but also how well and how long your heating and cooling systems work.

Conclusion

Changing your furnace filter regularly is super important for a healthy and efficient home. Following the suggested timelines helps keep your indoor air fresh and free from yucky stuff, which is good for everyone in the house. Plus, swapping out the filter on time does wonders for making your heating and cooling system last longer and cost you less money over the years. Whether you live in a mild place or just care about having clean air, changing your furnace filter regularly is a small thing that makes a big difference in how comfy and reliable your home is. So, remember to keep up with those filter changes and enjoy the benefits of fresher air, lower bills, and a system that keeps you cozy all year round.

If you are considering buying a new air filter, you can get the best one from Custom Filters Direct. We can build any size filter you need.

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