Most home furnaces use a filtration system with disposable filters to clean the air that passes through the furnace. Homeowners need to keep close tabs on their furnace filters and replace them on a regular basis. Over time, these filters collect all the particles in the air inside a home, including dust, dirt, pet hair, dander, and even skin flakes and smaller bits of biological material. Some of these particles, like mold spores, present serious health hazards to the occupants of the home.
Buying the Right Filter
Find out which type of filter your furnace system needs; you will need to purchase the correct size and type. Filters come in a very wide range of sizes, styles, and quality levels. A low-quality filter may not do a great job of filtering your home’s air, but even a cheap filter is better than a dirty and clogged filter or no filter at all. Lower-quality filters generally require more frequent replacement as well.
A higher-quality filter may offer better filtration for longer, but ultimately the longevity of any air filter depends on how much work it needs to do. Buying the right filter for your home helps minimize the air particles floating around your home, so investing in a higher quality filter is usually the best option for any homeowner. The next step is ensuring you replace it on a regular basis.
Replacing Your Filter
Replacing the filter for your home’s furnace system is usually easy; simply remove and discard the old filter and slip the new one in its place. Refer to the filter’s instructions to determine how often you need to replace it. A filter may suggest every three months, but the air quality in your area may require you to change it more frequently. The new filter you buy may come with a calendar sticker or other reminder to help you track when to replace it next. Make sure you take note of when you replace it, so you know when your filter is due for the next replacement.
