How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter?

Before we start with the 'how', let's start with 'why' you should have your furnace filter changed. You see, your furnace filter deserves care too in order to operate at optimal levels and last longer. One of the best and rewarding practices you can do to protect your furnace is knowing how often to change your furnace filter. But, most people don't know how often to do this. We'll dive into this shortly but first, do you know the functions of a furnace filter?

Functions of a furnace filter (and what it is)

The main function of furnace filters is to prevent dust, hair and other particles in the air from travelling through your duct work so as not to breathe them while indoors. Problems with your furnace filter starts when these particles start to build up on the filter itself. These buildups of particles can damage your furnace and this is why HVAC specialists advise that you regularly change your filter.

4 signs that your furnace filter needs replacement

  1. Dirty filter. If you find it hard to see the actual filter, the dirt could be preventing you from seeing it.
  2. The furnace is operating more frequently than how it normally operates.
  3. There's more dust around your home than how it normally looks.
  4. There's an off-putting or burning smell near your furnace.

How often should you change your furnace filter

A good general guideline to follow is to change your furnace filters every 3 months i.e for 1-2 inch filters, every 6 months for 4 inch filters and 1 year for 5 inch furnace filters. You can consult HVAC specialists for more seasonal heating maintenance tips.

Dangers of not changing your furnace filter

Now that we've looked about how often to change furnace air filters, wouldn't you want to know the dangers of not changing your furnace filter? You see, failure to regularly change your filter will make it impossible for your furnace filter to trap newer air particles and dirt. This could be hazardous to your health if you live inside and breathe dirty air.  Also, your furnace will overwork and hence reduce its working efficiency. Causes of clog in the filter that you might want to consider include: opening your windows and doors for too long, fur from home pets and smoke.  So if you've wondered about: how often should I change my furnace filter, there you go. Follow the guidelines for a long-lasting HVAC system and consult our heating and air Atlanta for more questions on furnace filters.