Keeping Disposable or Washable Furnace Air Filters Clean

Howard Kingsbridge — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:32:12 +0000

Before you go about learning how to change or clean a washable furnace filter, it would be useful to take a look at what these devices are and exactly what purpose they fulfill. Furnace air filters are used in heating as well as cooling furnaces to cover the intake of air. They allow the regulation of temperature by enabling air to flow freely into the system, and most importantly, act as a trap for dust and dirt that is contained in the air.

Now that you understand what furnace air filters are and what purpose they serve, we can take a look at the importance of cleaning or replacing them on a regular basis.

With either washable furnace filters or disposable furnace filters, changing or cleaning your furnace air filter is something you can do on your own. It is a mandatory step in the proper maintenance of the furnace. Neglect in this area can cause several problems. One of these problems is system blockage. When your furnace filter is dirty, they cannot allow air to flow through freely and this can cause the furnace to seize up or stop working.

Another major consequence of dirty furnace filters is poor air quality. The air intake into the furnace will be dirty, containing all types of contaminants, and so will the output of air. This is especially harmful for people suffering from allergies or asthma and these people may consequently need to use a humidifier in the house. In terms of quality, Honeywell furnace filters are top notch.

It is useful to know that keeping your furnace air filter clean can reduce the heating bills by anywhere between 5 and 15 per cent. This becomes of even more importance if you live in a cold region, where a major portion of your monthly expenditure goes towards heating. It cannot be stressed upon any further that maintaining a clean furnace air filter is a sure-shot way to reduce energy costs, improving the quality of indoor air, and avoiding health hazards.

In short, it is important to clean your furnace filter on a regular basis to make sure that they are free of any kinds of microscopic bugs, viruses, pollen, dust, mite, etc., which could get lodged within the net of the filters. This is especially important if you live in a crowded metropolis with a lot of pollution. In such a case furnace air filters might need more frequent care. It is always advisable to clean or replace furnace air filters around once a month to maintain a good quality of indoor air, whether you suffer from any allergies or not.

Washable furnace filters will save you a lot of money over buying disposable furnace filters monthly. This is an important factor to keep in mind. All you need to do each month is remove your washable furnace filter, rinse it out and dry it and replace it. This will keep your air clean, your furnace maintained and will save you a lot of money.

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Keeping Disposable or Washable Furnace Air Filters Clean