Reusable Furnace Filters – a Furnace Owner’s Guide
If you want to properly take care of your furnace then you should know the difference between reusable furnace filters and disposable furnace filters and the benefits of each. Disposable furnace filters are cheaper in the short run but disposable furnace filters are better quality and will save you money in the long term.
The purpose of furnace filters is to both protect your furnace from dust and other particles in the air as well as to protect to filter mold, dust and other particles from the air that can harm or irritate us humans. On the most basic level there are two kinds of furnace filters. Disposable which are popular because of their low price and permanent filters otherwise known as reusable filters or washable filters.
Reusable filters are known to be superior over disposable ones. They do a better job at filtering the air to protect your furnace and your own health. The disposable filters simply allow too many particles to pass through them. Even among reusable filters they are not all built the same. The cheapest type are made completely from metal and their filtering capacity is very poor indeed.
When shopping for reusable air filters look for ones that are treated with a material that will stop mold from forming. This is important since the filters can get wet and the basement where the furnace is located is often dank. In addition, the frame of a reusable filter should be made from aluminum. Monofilament polypropylene is a good choice for the rest of the filter.
Reusable filters are more expensive than disposable ones at the outset but they save you money in the long run since you do not have to replace them. On the flip side however, they require more maintenance. Make sure to check the filter about once a month to see if it needs to be cleaned. Failing to do so will make your furnace over exert itself in order to push air through the clogged holes. This overuse can result in repairs and will certainly cause your energy bills to rise.
Although it is pretty easy to clean your filter by rinsing it off with a hose or in the bathtub, people often do not find the time to get around to it. A great tip is to keep two filters on hand. That way you can quickly change the filter when needed and you can clean the dirty one when time permits.
Those are the basics of reusable furnace filters. Choose filters made out of top materials and treated against mold, check and clean them regularly and enjoy the savings in the long run over disposable furnace filters.
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