How Often Should You Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter?

This can greatly affect your heating efficiency and indoor air quality.

With winter officially in full force, it’s time to get reacquainted with your home’s heating equipment. If your home’s furnace seems to be cycling more often or taking longer to heat it, you might be overdue in checking its air filter.

It might seem inconceivable that your furnace’s air filter would be dirty or clogged at the beginning of the heating season. After all, your heating equipment has been sitting idle all summer long. But your furnace’s air filter still gets a workout in hotter months. Your home’s central air conditioning equipment was forcing air through the same ductwork system. Consequently, your air filter was hard at work catching dust, debris, pollen and other airborne pollutants. To ensure proper heating, maximum HVAC efficiency and healthy indoor air, you may want to clean or change the air filter.

When to Check Your Furnace’s Air Filter

At Burt’s Reliable, we suggest that our customers check their furnace’s air filters at least once a month during peak heating and cooling seasons. This is a fairly simple process.

To find your air filter, check the side of your furnace or behind a return-air vent. If your filter is dirty, you can do one of two things. You can clean a reusable filter, but you’ll need to replace disposable filters. Luckily, replacement furnace air filters are available at most home stores, and they tend to be inexpensive, especially considering their outsize importance to your home.

Why Cleaning Furnace Air Filters Are Important

An air filter is your first line of defense against airborne pollutants that can negatively impact your indoor air quality (IAQ). If yours isn’t doing its job, your allergy symptoms will be worse. Poor IAQ can also worsen asthma and other respiratory illnesses. You might see more occurrences of seasonal colds and the flu, not to mention dry skin, red eyes and more dust accumulation around your house.

Clogged filters also restrict airflow in your forced air heating and cooling system. Your furnace and central A/C equipment must work harder to keep you comfortable. This will result in higher energy bills and more frequent repairs. The low cost of a fresh air filter pays off in a big way.

Burt’s Reliable services furnaces in Suffolk County

While you’re thinking about the health and performance of your furnace, it’s worth considering the last time you had it serviced. Typically, an oil-fired furnace should receive maintenance once a year. The expert team at Burt’s Reliable can perform comprehensive furnace maintenance right now. Our tune-ups improve system efficiency and prevent breakdowns. They also extend the service life of your heating system.

With an affordable Burt’s Reliable service plan, you receive a complimentary tune-up and discounts on parts and labor should you need a repair. Plus, our service plan customers receive priority emergency service.

Need furnace maintenance this winter? Contact us now to arrange a tune-up from a licensed HVAC professional.