Simple Ways Series – Episode 2: Clean Furnace Filters
Posted by A. Caleb Hartley on December 26th, 2007 filed in Simple WaysAccording to Warren Leon (Director of Renewable Energy Trust) in his report “Your Most Important Environmental Choices,” home heating, hot water, and air conditioning represents 16% of an average consumer’s greenhouse gas contribution. It also adds up to 11% of their air pollution impact, and 3% of their water pollution contribution.
Learning this made me want to run out and buy new, high-efficiency furnaces for my house. After checking with my wife, I found out that we can’t afford to buy new furnaces right now – so I looked for other ways to reduce my impact without replacing my existing furnaces.
The easiest way to reduce the impact of your home heating is to ensure that your furnace filters are clean. If you have a “normal” furnace (by definition, “normal” means “like mine”), you have a few options:
A Fiberglass Filter
A Poly Filter
A Pleated Filter
A Micro-Allergy Furnace Filter
A reusable Furnace Filter (a.k.a. “permanent” filter)
If you use any of the above filters (excluding the reusable filter), you’ll want to replace your filter AT LEAST every 3 months. My deep research (consisting of the top handful of over ONE MILLION webpages – thanks Google) tells us that professionals suggest replacing your filter monthly. Further research brings us to the conclusion that you should replace your filter “when the filter needs to be replaced.”
“Wha…!?”
Seriously, though – check your furnace filter monthly and when it looks like it has dust and dirt and grime all over it, change it. Most likely, that will be between one and three months while your furnace runs (i.e. when it’s cold). If you use one of the reusable filters, check it monthly and when it is looking dirty, clean it (with a vacuum or running water or however the manufacturer recommends – probably NOT a vacuum AND running water), then put it back where it came from in the furnace.
Additionally, saving energy and reducing pollution might not be the only reason you might want to replace your furnace filters regularly – so here are a few articles and posts about furnace filters (who knew it was such a hot topic? – bad pun, I know):
- Book of Joe: How often Should I Change my Furnace Filter?
- Yahoo Answers
- RepairMax
- The Family Handyman (about midway down the page)
- Fiberglass vs. Polyester Filters
- Learn more about Furnace Filters
Namaste,
A. Caleb Hartley
How often do you change your furnace filters and why? Leave a comment and let us know!
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4 Responses to “Simple Ways Series – Episode 2: Clean Furnace Filters”
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September 2nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Obviously i don’t worry about it in the summer time but i will put a fresh one in at the end of the summer. I try to clean my filters once a month and change them probably every three months or so. If you don’t like the hassle of going out and getting them yourself then try getting your furnace filters here. I’ve never had problems and they have pretty much ever kind of filter you can think of.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
The best way to limit the source of these dust particles it to eliminate them, and one great way to accomplish that involves installing high efficiency furnace filters and air conditioning filters. High efficiency filters, like HEPA filters for example, are excellent for capturing a large amount of these particles, keeping them from contaminating the air that you are breathing on a constant basis.
Make sure to keep the manufacturer’s instructions handy so you always know how to maintain and repair your furnace filter and other important furnace equipment. These instructions will also show you where the furnace filter is located and will indicate how often you should have your furnace inspected by a licensed contractor.
If you have a family member with asthma or other respiratory problems, you may want to replace or maintain your furnace filter even more often to keep the air clean. There is no harm in over-maintaining or replacing more often than necessary.
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Furnace Filters
March 3rd, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Other good and inexpensive ways to make your existing furnace more energy efficient, if you can’t afford an upgrade, include keeping your ducts clean and properly sealed, and installing a programmable thermostat.
DrEnergySaver´s last blog ..What’s Up In The Garage
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:12 am
Nice post its interesting and informative, i try to clean my filters once a month and change them probably every three months or so. thanks for sharing….