Your furnace filter is a critical component of your home heating and cooling system and helps to maintain proper functioning of your furnace as well as to maintain good air quality in your home. Many homeowners have a lot of questions when it comes to their home HVAC filters because there are different brands, sizes, shapes etc. and it can be confusing to know which furnace filter you should purchase as well as things like how often you should change your furnace filter or how to know if your furnace filter is working.
The first thing to know is that furnace filters come in two formats, either washable or disposable. If your furnace filter is disposable then replacement and furnace filter maintenance is easy. If you pull out your furnace filter and it looks clogged and dirty then you simply remove it by pulling it out and replacing it with a new one. Of course you will want to dispose of the old one properly.
If your furnace filter is a washable model then you will pull out your furnace filter and clean it because these models are reusable. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper furnace filter cleaning to ensure you do not damage your HVAC system and that the furnace filter functions properly once cleaned.
Typically, you will clean it (according to the specs) and make sure that it is completely dry before placing the furnace filter back in place. Once properly done cleaning, your furnace filter will continue to provide your home with good quality air as intended.
Another question we have seen a lot is regarding the lifespan of a furnace filter. The life of your furnace filter is impacted by many factors and the greater your MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) efficiency value then typically the greater the life span of your furnace filter compared to lower efficiency furnace filters. Additionally, factors in your home and your lifestyle can greatly impact the longevity of your furnace filter. If you smoke inside the house or have pets or other activities that degrade the air quality inside your home then your furnace filter will be working overtime and require replacing sooner than if the same furnace filter was in a home without these additional factors.
It is advisable to check your furnace filter regularly. Usually every 3-4 months would be sufficient for most homes and definitely in between seasons. It is especially important to check your furnace filter before the winter months as your furnace will be more active during winter and you will likely have your windows closed so the internal air quality of your home is even more important during these periods of the year.
If you are booking home furnace service in Ottawa then the furnace filter will definitely be a checklist item that the furnace technician will take a look at to make sure everything is in tip top shape. This way you won’t have to worry about it and the furnace repair technician can take a look when on site.
Let’s work together and keep your air quality top notch in your home. Hopefully this information has helped answer some of your furnace filter questions and given you some insight into cleaning and replacement of your furnace filter.