Furnace Filter Maintenance - Why Should I Do It?

• This is a really dirty furnace filter. Very common in some homes and extremely inefficient.






• This is a typical Fiberglass filter.
  It is cheap and filters very large dust particles only. Most small pollutants pass right on through.







• This is a typical Pleated furnace filter. These are available in 6 different efficiency levels which of course vary in cost. They all will filter more dust than fiberglass.










• Here is a side by side display of a dirty filter and new filter.

Reasons To Do Filter Maintenance On Your Furnace

1. Changing your HVAC filter is a very economical maintenance issue. It will generate cost savings when operating your furnace and AC unit.


2. Your HVAC filter is one of the major guards against you breathing bad air in your house. When not clogged with dirt and dust, it can provide a lot of relief for an allergy sufferer.


3. Keep in mind that replacing your filter with a higher quality HVAC filter will pay for itself by less-often changing and further reduction of dirt and dust within your house. Not to mention higher efficiency levels of operation by the HVAC.


4. My experience shows that generic brands may offer as much performance as name brand filters.


5. Generally, when considering filters for residential purposes, your filter choices will be pleated or fiberglass filters.


6. Both of these have variances within their respective type, but all are available at local stores.


7. Be sure and know the proper size and thickness you need. Pleated filters come in a range of filter efficiencies.


8. Obviously, the higher the price the better the filtering.


9. Even if you don't regularly do filter maintenance, be sure and do so at least once in awhile.


10. Serious damage may occur if a disposable filter is left to clog up.

1. Return air vents are generally located in the wall and not the floor. These vents may be both up high and down low or just low or just high.


2. If your HVAC unit is working properly, with the unit currently blowing heat or cold air, take a normal size piece of paper and place it over the vent in the wall. The paper should immediately stick to the vent and not fall down.


3. If your house has a basement, locate the door at the top of the stairs and close it. With the unit running and moving air, lay a piece of paper at the bottom of the door. It shouldn't suck under the door if the system is working properly. That's because return air is being collected as it should through the return air vents throughout the house and in this case, the basement.


4. If your paper does go flying under the door towards the basement, it's my opinion that your HVAC unit is starved for air. Specifically, return air that will eventually return back into the living areas of your home as heated or cooled comfortable air and hopefully with reduced pollutants.


5. The bottom line is - Spend a little along the way OR Spend alot later on major equipment repair or replacement.