Cooler autumn weather has arrived in Mooresville, NC, which means that chilly winter air will soon be on the way. Now is the time to get your furnace ready for the winter season. One of the most important parts of preparing your furnace is changing the filter. Let’s take a look at how often you should change your furnace filter for optimal energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Why Are Furnace Filters Important?
Furnace filters capture and sequester particles from the air in your home. Depending on the MERV rating of the filter, they trap dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and viruses. The filter keeps the furnace’s inner workings clean, which reduces wear and tear and extends the furnace’s lifespan. A clean furnace burns fuel more efficiently and does a better job at heating your home. Furnace filters also clean the air you breathe, which leads to better indoor air quality.
Do All Types of Furnace Filters Need to Be Changed?
Most furnaces use disposable filters. They have a lifespan of 30 to 180 days. Thicker filters have longer lifespans than thinner filters. Filters with more pleats also tend to have a longer life expectancy compared to flat filters. Reusable filters need regular cleaning. This is best left to professionals who have the right tools and cleaning solutions for the filter.
Check the Furnace Filter Every Month
We recommend a monthly furnace filter inspection. You can always reach out to us, and a technician can visit your home to check the filter. Furnace filter checks only take a couple of minutes. We slide the filter out of the housing and visually inspect it for dust and debris. When the filter’s pores are covered in dust, the excess particles will settle inside the furnace and float through your home’s air. During a short period of cold weather and frequent heating cycles, the filter may fill up with debris.
When to Change the Filter
At a minimum, furnace filters require changing every three months. For the best results, arrange for the professionals at our company to do this for you. We stock a full range of furnace filter sizes and brands, and we always have the type your furnace needs for optimal operation. Our technicians safely dispose of the old filter for you, so you don’t have to handle the dusty filter on your own.
Special Circumstances for Extra Filter Changes
Special circumstances and situations might require more frequent furnace filter changes. If you recently remodeled or renovated your home, the project may have created a large amount of dust and particles. Our technicians are available to come to your home any time for a furnace filter change. We also recommend changing the furnace filter if your home experienced a flood or if members of your household have recently been ill with illnesses such as influenza, which spreads by droplets through the air.
Benefits of Frequent Furnace Filter Changes
Regular furnace filter changes reduce wear and tear on your furnace. Less wear and tear means fewer breakdowns and a longer lifespan. When your furnace has a clean filter, it does a more effective job at pushing heated air throughout your living spaces. Your home will feel more comfortable. Furnace filters also clean the air, so you’ll breathe easier. If anyone in your household has allergies or asthma, scheduling regular filter changes could reduce the frequency or severity of their symptoms.
Schedule an Annual Furnace Tune-up
An annual furnace tune-up each autumn includes checking and changing the furnace filter. A dirty furnace filter quickly impacts all of the other parts of your home’s heating system, and professional maintenance is the best way to keep your furnace operating safely and efficiently throughout the winter months of the year. Our technicians also inspect and clean the whole furnace. This annual professional maintenance visit takes about one hour. Our technicians also check the gas supply, wiring, burners and heat exchanger
If you’re not in need of furnace maintenance today, you can also count on us for reliable air conditioner and heat pump maintenance. Our technicians also perform reliable heating and cooling repair and installation services. Our electrical and refrigeration services boost efficiency, convenience and safety. Business owners in the Mooresville area also turn to us for dependable commercial HVAC services. To learn more or to schedule a furnace filter replacement or a furnace tune-up, contact us at Putnam Mechanical today.
