How To Choose A Furnace Filter

Furnace Filters: Everything You Demand to Know

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Selecting the right furnace filter for your heating and cooling system is crucial when it comes to producing and sustaining a healthy, clean and pure home environment. For those who don't know, or simply need a reminder, furnace filters remove grit, clay, pollen, allergens, bacteria and other air pollutants from your abode's air – enhancing indoor air quality for you and your family unit. Simply selecting the right filter is not plenty to guarantee safe air. You lot must also brand sure you are following the guidelines and conditions based on your manufacture'due south manual. This will ensure your organisation runs efficiently and effectively.

person replacing air conditioner or furnace filter — Serenethos / Shutterstock

Factors to consider earlier buying a furnace filter

Below are the most important factors to consider when selecting an air filter for your home:

Filter size: The nigh typical sizes for a furnace filter are 16″ x xx″, xx″ 10 25″ and 16″ x 25″ however many other sizes are available for buy on our site. The size of your filter will be located on the side of the door on your filter cabinet. The filter must fit snuggly in your furnace.It is important to note that y'all must have an exact fit for your cabinet -"close plenty is non good enough" in these circumstances. A good fit prevents air from slipping around the edges of the filter.Some other important note is that many manufacturers produce filters that are compatible in other companies cabinets.
Filter thickness: A filter's thickness can range from 1″ to 5″. Equally a general rule of thumb, a thicker furnace filter will concluding longer and can be more efficient.Your organisation configuration volition determine the thickness of the filter that you can use.
Pleated vs. not-pleated: For the most office, pleated furnace filters are more efficient and last longer than simple fiberglass non-pleated filters. Pleated filters incorporate much more than surface surface area to catch pollutants/contaminants and have the power to accept smaller pores to capture smaller particles while all the same allowing full air flow.
Filter efficiency: Employ MERV! MERV is the standard rating system accepted by The American Social club of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the air filter manufacture.This numbering arrangement captivates a system enabling consumers to evaluate and compare mechanical air filters for overall effectiveness in removing airborne particulates. In the most simplified explanation, the college the MERV rating, the greater the efficiency in removing contaminants and pollutants. Merv 10 is typical for a normal household. However, if anyone in your domicile has allergies, asthma or any other respiratory conditions, pets or if you live in a dusty environment you should aim for a MERV 12 or higher rating.

Want to become a system check-up only to be safe?

Furnace filter replacement

Regular replacement of your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit'due south filter is an essential function of maintenance. Every bit a homeowner, yous will want to brand certain your unit runs as efficiently as possible in order to minimize your electricity costs, ensure proper operation of your unit and increase your unit's lifespan. The filter is responsible for removing contaminants from your dwelling house's indoor air before y'all breathe it in also as maintaining the cleanliness of your HVAC organisation's ductwork.

How frequently should y'all replace your furnace filter?

The average home and HVAC organization will demand the filter replaced one time every three months. The type of filter you use will impact how often it needs to be changed, every bit will your dwelling size, how often your HVAC arrangement is on, if y'all accept pets in your home and if anyone in your household has allergies or other medical conditions.It'south good do to cheque your filter every month, especially if you accept just installed a new system. Paying attention to changes in your home (such a construction) and in your city (construction nearby or big corporeality of pollution) will too help you lot decide when to replace the filter. If you notice the furnace filter's surface is gray and covered in buildup, you should go ahead and alter it. Other signs you may need to change your filter are more dust in the home or longer heating and cooling cycles.

Furnace replacement FAQs

Where's the filter on my furnace?

Your furnace filter is usually located betwixt the return air duct and the furnace or air handler. Look for the grill opening that draws air into it; this is your return duct, and the furnace filter will exist somewhere nearby. If you all the same can't discover it, check your furnace's manufacturer website for specifics on your unit.

Practise all gas furnaces have filters?

All furnaces, even gas furnaces, have filters. Filters maintain the furnace itself as well every bit the air quality in your business firm, therefore your unit needs a filter.

How does a dirty filter bear upon a furnace?

There are many hazards that are caused past not replacing your air filter on a schedule. A dirty filter can crusade your air conditioner to end cooling, reduce efficiency, or cause your air conditioner to freeze upwards. Then, when it thaws the water from the melting ice can overwhelm your condensate drain and cause water damage.

Dirty filters can also cause mechanical issues with your compressor in your air conditioner or heat pump and ultimately crusade your furnace and/or estrus to stop heating. All of this can result in hundreds of dollars in repairs, not to mention the impact dirty filters tin take on your health. Most filters toll between $20-$80 so it is worth the fourth dimension, effort and coin to regularly replace your air filter rather than pay for the cost of repairs due to a dingy ane.