What You Need to Know About Your Furnace Filter
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Dec 14, 2009
The cold snap that brought snow to the Lake Erie region into the Northeast prodded most folks to turn on their furnace if they hadn’t already. The arctic cold brought frost throughout Ohio, from the Lake Erie to the southern reaches of the state along the Ohio River. With furnaces rumbling on for the first time this season, the first thing folks need to do is replace their furnace filter.
As your heating professional will tell you when he comes out for your annual furnace inspection, a clean furnace filter not only improves air quality, it helps your furnace run more efficiently. Not all furnace filters are created equal, however. When you visit your hardware or home store, you’ll notice two basic types of furnace filters:
- Standard filters are made of spun fibers. They collect large particles in household air that could interfere with the operation of your furnace. Unfortunately, they are too loosely constructed to trap the fine particles of dust, pollen and allergens that can wreak havoc with your sinuses. Standard filters should be changed once a month.
- High-performance filters are constructed of accordion-folded paper pleats. They do a superior job of removing both large and small particles from the air. High performance filters improve indoor air quality by removing pollen, mold spores, dust, pet dander and other allergens from the air. Use of high-performance furnace filters is recommended by many doctors for allergy or asthma sufferers, small children, seniors and those with chronic respirator illnesses. The paper used in high-performance filters is recyclable, making them a good choice for eco-conscious consumers. High-performance furnace filters need only be changed once or twice a year.
Have you replaced your furnace filter? Act now to prevent problems with your furnace.