Why, When, and How to Change your Furnace Filter

07 Mar Why, When, and How to Change your Furnace Filter

SERVING AREAS OF BRISTOL, JOHNSON CITY, AND KINGSPORT TN

Just as most systems in your home need maintenance, your HVAC system requires it as well. One essential and controllable aspect of your HVAC system is changing the furnace filter. There are multiple benefits from breathing better quality air to lengthening the life of your furnace. We would like to point out that the furnace filter is separate from the return air vents located at various locations in your home. While these air vent filters need changing regularly, most often is the case that people don’t think about changing the actual furnace filter. Most people are not sure of why, when, and how to change a furnace filter, so our HVAC maintenance technicians in Johnson City have outlined some basic guidelines that may be helpful.

Why?

The furnace air filter serves many purposes for the HVAC system and its functionality. The most important purpose is that it helps control the air quality in your home by reducing the amount of dirt and dust that enters your home. When an air filter is clogged or dirty, it can create airflow issues, increased electric bills as the system struggles to properly function, and cause undue stress on the HVAC system. Clean filters will reduce the amount of allergens, dirt, and dust that enter your home, which otherwise could cause potential illness. They also help your HVAC system work properly between regular system maintenance and reduce the risk of an untimely component or system failure.

When?

Knowing when to replace your filter depends on several variables. For example, the type of required filter that fits your system, presence of indoor pets, the number of residents, and outdoor conditions such as nearby construction are all factors in consideration of when to change the air filter.

Thompson Electrical Service recommends checking your filter monthly to inspect the condition, especially during the winter, as more time is naturally spent indoors. Also, if there are indoor pets, they create pet dander that will require changing your air filter more often. Allergy sufferers can benefit by changing the filter more frequently and purchasing filters for your HVAC that help filter most allergens. The basic rule of thumb is to change the filter when it appears dirty. Otherwise, you need to change the filter a minimum of every three months to keep the good air quality in your home and to protect your HVAC system.

How?

The physical task of changing the air filter for your HVAC system is not very taxing. It is a simple job that most homeowners do themselves without the need for a technician.

Below are some guidelines that will help you to replace your air filter with the least amount of risk to your health, home, and your HVAC unit.

• To replace the existing filter, you will need to know what size to purchase. You can determine the appropriate size filter from the HVAC manual that accompanied your unit, or you could check the size of your unit’s current filter. Usually, filter sizes are printed on the side of the filter itself. Then, you can purchase the filter from your local home improvement store, hardware store, or local HVAC contractor. There are even online subscriptions that will send filters directly to your front door.
• Locate the breaker that controls the power to your HVAC system. For safety reasons, it is best to turn off your system before replacing the air filter.
• Depending on your unit, you may need to open or remove the air filter panel close to the base of your HVAC unit to reveal an open compartment.
• On top of the open compartment is where you will find the air filter resting on two metal supports.
• Within the compartment, there is a small amount of space where you can move the filter back and forth so it can be easily removed.
• Before installing a new filter, check the outside edge of the filter for an arrow that indicates the direction of the airflow, so you know you are installing the filter in the correct direction. On most models of HVAC units, the arrow should point to the top of the furnace. However, when in doubt, consult the owners-manual or call a certified technician at Thompson Electrical Service for assistance.

When Thompson Electrical Service visits your home for a regularly scheduled maintenance of HVAC systems in the Bristol, Johnson City, or Kingsport area, the air filter will be changed as part of our maintenance package. In the event you have problems with your unit or air filter, feel free to call Thompson Electrical Service at (423) 343-5726 for a certified technician to service your HVAC system.