We know changing your furnace filter is not the most glamorous house chore, but it is by far the most important (and easiest too). Our experts recommend that homeowners change their air cleaner filters at least every six months under normal conditions. If they have pets or smokers in their home, we recommend that homeowners replace their air filters even sooner–– at least every four months–– to ensure the optimal air quality. But why is replacing your furnace filters frequently so important? Here are three main reasons:
Frequently Changing Your Furnace Filter Can Save You Money 💰
Furnace filters work hard to remove the airborne contaminants from our homes. Over time, build up in the furnace filter starts to naturally clog its fibres, rendering the filter dirty. Leaving a furnace filter in this state for too long can be dangerous for your wallet. This is because a dirty furnace filter in your system can cause airflow resistance and strain your furnace or air handler, especially in the summer and winter months when your system is working its hardest.
In the winter, when you are trying to heat home, restricted airflow (also known as high static pressure) due to a dirty furnace filter can cause your HVAC equipment to over-heat and shut down. After your furnace cools down, it may restart, but if the filter is still dirty, the problem will persist – this is known as short-cycling and can be very damaging to you furnace. In the summer, when you are trying to cool your home, restricted airflow due to a dirty furnace filter causes reduced air flow passing through the cooling coil, leading it to freeze and stop cooling. In both instances, strain from a dirty furnace filter can damage your system, potentially leading to very expensive repair costs. For example, replacing your blower motor (which is often strained by a dirty filter) can cost anywhere from $500 - $1000!
Not only does strain lead to expensive repair costs, but it also drives up your energy bill. Did you know the average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy bills? According to the Department of Energy, by changing your furnace air filter regularly, you can save up to 15% on your utility costs. In other words, changing your filter frequently makes sure your system is blowing clean air and not your hard earned money!
Frequently Changing Your Furnace Filter Can Improve Your Health 🫁
Household dirt, allergens, bacteria/viruses, pollution, chemicals like formaldehyde used in building materials, dust mites, mold spores, and animal dander exist all around us. Unless you live in a bubble, you cannot escape these airborne contaminants. With that said, you can reduce their presence with proper air filtration.
By changing your furnace filter frequently and ensuring your system is running optimally, you can prevent these contaminants from passing through your homes and your lungs, ultimately reducing symptoms like eye irritation, sneezing, dizziness, and respiratory problems. If you are someone who suffers from asthma or seasonal allergies, this is especially important from you. Most of the furnace filters we offer have a MERV 11 rating, which means they capture airborne particles as small as 3 micron in size. That's smaller than one millionth of a meter!
Frequently Changing Your Furnace Filter Can Enhance Your Comfort 😃
Having a home with a clean, controlled indoor air environment is crucial for your comfort. However, when you filter is dirty, the comfort of your home can be compromised. This is because restricted airflow will cause living areas to not receive the proper amount of heating and cooling, making your home uncomfortable all year around.
Also, when your filters are dirty, the air in your home begins to stagnate. When this happens, dust, dirt, and debris fall onto surfaces, making your home dirtier. Even worse, your system may be pushing contaminants back into your air supply, causing respiratory problems for the inhabitants of the home. Restricted breathing can affect your level of concentration and quality of sleep, both important factors for well-being. If you are work from home, this is especially something important to keep in mind.