Is your heating bill ridiculously high this winter? Did you notice the air quality in your home is significantly worse than it was last year? Are some of your family members constantly struggling with allergies?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, the solution might be as simple as replacing the air filter in your furnace? Don’t believe us? Go ahead and try. The filter is there to prevent dust, dirt and dangerous microbes from entering your home. But if not cleaned regularly, all of those start piling up on the filter, restricting air flow. This, in turn, causes the furnace to work harder to compensate, resulting in a larger electrical bill.
Replacing the filter might be just another chore on your long list, but doing so will do wonders for your quality of life. The best thing is that you can even do it on your own, even though it’s included when scheduling routine maintenance with heating repair companies like Action AC.
The Why, When and How of Furnace Air Filter Replacement:
Why Replace the Air Filter:
This is one of the easiest and most inexpensive furnace maintenance tasks. Even so, it is crucial for your HVAC system’s performance. Replacing the filter will also help improve the air quality in your home, as you would be getting rid of all the harmful bacteria and allergens that nested in your old air filter. A clogged filter results in decreased performance and increased energy use, or simply put higher bills. In the worst case scenario, a clogged air filter may result in a complete furnace breakdown. On the other hand, a clean filter will keep all the dirt and allergens away from your home and ensure your heating system’s longevity.
When Should You Replace the Air Filter?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. First of all, it depends on the type of filter your system uses. Then, you need to take into consideration the number of family members and how often you use the heating system. It also depends if you have any pets or if you live in an area with a lot of dust in the air, for example near a construction site.
To be sure, you should do a visual inspection of the filter at least once a month, especially in the winter. If the filter is dirty, replace it. If you have pets or if a family member suffers from asthma or allergies you will definitely need to replace the filter more frequently. In any case, replacing the filter at least once every three months is mandatory.
How Do You Replace the Filter?
Fortunately, replacing the air filter is very simple. Many homeowners choose to do this on their own. The hardest part is usually getting to realize how necessary it really is. First of all, determine the size and type of the filter and get a replacement from a hardware store.
Before you replace the filter, make sure to switch off the breaker or cut the power to the furnace. Next, open the panel housing the filter at the bottom of the furnace. Move the filter back and forth to remove one end of the filter. Take the filter out.
Make sure to find an arrow indicating which way the air should flow and install the new filter. The arrow should point to the top of the furnace in most cases.
If you need a licensed heating company to perform routine furnace maintenance contact Action Air Conditioning & Heating of San Diego at 4455 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 100–5, San Diego, CA 92123, USA; 800-400-4152 or visit https://www.actionac.net/
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