Why change your furnace filter?
January 19th, 2021
It is important to change the filter in your furnace every 3 months as a general rule. In periods where your home might be more dusty due to construction or sanding, for example, it might be necessary to change your filter more often. Families who experience allergies or other respiratory conditions are also advised to change their furnace filter more regularly than usual, as well.
There are a number of reasons why it is important to change your furnace filter. The indoor air specialists at Solution D’Air will explain some of the reasons in this article. If you have any questions about your furnace filter and indoor air quality, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to answer your questions.
Here is why you should change your furnace filter.
1. Improved Air Quality
A clean furnace filter improves the quality of the air you breathe by capturing and collecting all of the dust and debris floating in your home. Common house dust is comprised of
- dead skin, hair and pet fur
- pollen and dander
- cloth fibres
- bacteria
- dust mites and dead bugs
- dirt tracked in from outside
If your furnace filter is not changed on a regular basis, it will become clogged with dust and moisture which will lead to the growth of bacteria and mould. If you don’t replace these dirty filters, you will be circulating contaminated air through your furnace and air vents. In order to maintain high quality indoor air, change your furnace filter at least once every 3 months.
2. Cleaner Ventilation Ducts
A dirty furnace filter will not stop the dust, dirt and other contaminants listed above from going through the furnace blower and into your ductwork.
It’s normal for your cold air return ducts to get dusty because they suck air from each room in your home and send it to the furnace to be heated.
Your warm air supply ducts which carry the heated air from the furnace to your heat vents will remain clean and free from dust build up.
Besides the obvious health benefits of having clean ventilation ducts, it’s important to consider that the cost of a new furnace filter is significantly lower than the cost of having your air ducts cleaned by professionals more often than necessary if you neglect to change your filter regularly.
3. Lower Heating Costs
A dirty filter allows less air through it and forces your furnace motor (also called the blower) to use more gas and electricity to keep your home at the temperature you want.
By changing your furnace filter regularly, you will save money on your electricity bill because the blower won’t have to run as long to get the right amount of air pressure needed to move the air from the furnace.
Your gas bill can be kept lower by replacing your filter because more air will travel through your clean ducts and the thermostat won’t need to trigger the furnace to heat up as often.
4. Less Wear and Tear
Dirty furnace filters allow dust to infiltrate and clog the heating coil and compressor in your furnace pump. When the pump has to work harder and longer to push air through it to keep your house warm, the engine overheats and wears out more quickly.
Replacing a furnace blower and compressor, or repairing other engine parts that have worn out prematurely are costly expenses that you can avoid by being diligent about changing your furnace filter every 3 months.
Furnace filter replacement is an important part of maintaining your HVAC heating and cooling system. By changing your filter every 3 months you will be helping your furnace to run more efficiently, your ducts and vents to deliver warm and clean air more effectively, and your family to remain healthy and comfortable this winter.
If you have any questions about changing your furnace filter or any other issues you’re having with your home heating system, please reach out. The team at Solution D’Air proudly serve the Gatineau region and are always here to help.
