How Often to Change a Furnace Filter: Factors to Consider
If you heat your home during the colder months with a furnace, you may wonder how often to change the furnace filter. Not changing the filter often enough can increase your risk of needing a repair or more frequent furnace tune-up services in Denver, CO. So, how often do you need to change your furnace filter to keep it working at its optimal performance?
Your Furnace Manual Instructions
The first place you should look to find out about changing your furnace filter is your furnace’s manual. Your manual can tell you not only how often to change your furnace filter but also what type of furnace filter your system uses.
If you don’t have your manual handy, most furnace manufacturers have online versions of their manuals available. Try to find the model number on the side or back of your furnace to look it up. If you still can’t find the information you need, know that you should change your heating and cooling system filters at least every 90 days, although some systems or filter types require them as often as every 30 days.
Your Indoor Air Quality
Another factor to consider is whether your indoor air quality requires more frequent air filter changes. Consider changing your filter more often if:
- You have pets.
- You or a family member has allergies or asthma.
- Your home is prone to large amounts of dust or debris.
- You use your furnace a lot.
Heavy use of heating and cooling systems, pet fur and dander, and construction dust or high pollen counts can all clog a filter more quickly than in homes with fewer risk factors.
Your Furnace Efficiency
A dirty filter can make your furnace work harder to maintain your home’s temperature. The extra strain on your system to push air through the clogged filter can cause damage to your furnace parts and pull more fuel or electricity to perform the work. Over time, the added work can cause parts to break or drive up energy bills. Changing your filters regularly can prevent common issues.
Changing Your Furnace Filter
Your system may use either disposable filters that require replacement or a permanent filter that simply requires a quick wash with mild soap. Whichever type your system uses, be sure to turn off your heating and cooling system before removing the cover on the return air vent.
Replace your disposable filter or wipe down your permanent filter. For stuck-on grime, you can wash a permanent filter with mild soap. Put the fresh filter into the return air vent and replace the cover. If the cover is dusty or grimy, wash it and allow it to dry before replacing it with your clean filter.
Contact a Furnace Installation and Maintenance Company in Denver, CO
Now that you know how often to change your furnace filter, are you overdue for heating and cooling maintenance? Your HVAC professionals at 888 Heating and Air Conditioning can fix problems uncovered with a furnace performance check.
Call us at 888 Heating and Air Conditioning at (303) 770-2776 or contact us online for furnace services in Denver, CO.
