Air Filter Maintenance

Air Filters are the most important maintenance item for your furnace, air conditioner and air duct system.

Routine replacement and proper selection of air filters is the key to the maintenance of your heating, air conditioning and air duct system. Filters prevent debris from damaging furnace and air conditioner components. Preventing pollutants from entering the ventilation system. Used with your heating and cooling system, filters make a big difference in the quality of air circulating throughout your home. Inadequate filter maintenance allows for dirt and debris to freely accumulate within your heating and cooling components, and air ducts. Heavy accumulations of dirt and debris within the ventilation system cause a never ending cycle of debris entering the home. This debris adds to household dust and can affect those with allergies and asthma.

Protecting the efficiency of the heating and cooling system.

Overtime the dirt and debris accumulation causes a gradual loss of efficiency, which can add to operating costs without your knowledge. The efficiency of the furnace is dependent to the fan blower ability to shear the air, debris build up within the fan blower blades dramatically reduces air flow. Air conditioning is also affected as the evaporative coil located above the furnace absorbs heat from the air; debris build up within the coil will reduce its ability to transfer heat

Choosing The right air filter: MERV Ratings

When selecting an air filter look for the MERV rating. MERV ratings are used to rate the ability of an air filter to remove dust from the air as it passes through the filter. MERV is a standard used to measure the overall efficiency of a filter. MERV ratings range from 1 - 16, the higher the MERV ratings mean fewer dust particles and other airborne contaminants pass through the filter. When choosing an air filter you must make sure that it is not too restrictive. MERV ratings of 7 are a good selection for average home use and a MERV rating of 11 would be a good selection for those wishing protection from allergens.

Replacing the air filter

Replace your filter at the stated intervals instructed by the manufacturer, this is usually about every two months. Replace more often if you are introducing higher levels of particulates into your home, such as when renovations are being done. Before purchasing the new filter take note of the size of your current air filter, it is located on the side of your current filter. Remember when replacing the air filter to always have the arrow on the side of the filter pointing towards the furnace.