When it comes to your furnace, regular maintenance and servicing are always key! Though there is one small step that often gets overlooked by homeowners each and every year. That step is changing your air filters.
From improved air quality in your home to the extended lifespan of your furnace and lower energy bills, there are many benefits to changing your filters periodically. While each home life and living conditions will determine the lifespan of the furnace filters, it is important to stay on top of this task, ensuring it is completed throughout the year.
What does a Furnace Filter Do?
Before diving into the various elements that determine how often you should change your air filter, it’s important to first highlight what a filter is and how it helps your furnace and overall home.
A furnace filter is a filter that is located in the blower compartment of your furnace and is used to help trap airborne contaminants. This not only helps to keep the contaminants out of your heating system, allowing your furnace to run smoothly, but it also helps to improve the air quality within your home, providing a more comfortable environment.
How Often Should I Change my Furnace Filters?
The general rule of thumb is every 1 – 3 months, however, as we mentioned before, there are a number of elements that dictate how often you should change the furnace filters for your home. Below is a list of the things that need to be considered when it comes to your home and your filters:
Pets
If you have any furry friends at home, the lifespan of your filter may be reduced by up to 30 days! Pets have a great deal of fur and dander that get released into the air, contributing to the contaminants in your home that get picked up by your HVAC system. If you have one or a few pets at home, you’ll want to consider changing your filters more often.
Number of Family Members at Home
If you are a household of only one or two people, the number of contaminants brought in will be far less than a household of five or seven people. The rule of thumb here is the bigger the family, the more you’ll have to change your furnace filters.
Allergens
Improved air quality is incredibly important for those who suffer from either allergies or asthma. If you have a loved one at home that suffers from either, you’ll want to ensure that you’re changing your filters on a more regular basis. This will help alleviate any triggers, providing a more comfortable living space.
Usage of Your Furnace
The more you use your furnace, the more you’ll have to change the air filters. This is due to the increase in air circulation as your system runs, causing more contaminants to be caught, clogging the filters. If you live somewhere that’s cold for a long period of time, such as Toronto or the GTA, or tend to run your furnace often, then it’s worth changing your filters more frequently.
Changing Your Furnace Filters
Changing your furnace filter is something that can easily be done on your own, especially if you don’t have any upcoming maintenance or servicing appointments. If you look at your current furnace filter you will see that the manufacturer has provided the product information so that purchasing a new filter is easy. However, as always, if you require any assistance or support, our team at Precision HVAC Mechanics is able to help and provide a wonderful job! Contact us today for a quick and easy quote.
Though overlooked, changing your furnace filters is an important factor in helping it run efficiently and effectively. Not only does it improve the air quality in your home, but it helps to prevent contaminants from running through your system, which allows your furnace to run better, extending its lifespan and lowering energy bills each month. So be sure to mark your calendar and stay on top of this task because although simple it’s incredibly effective for your home.
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