How to Change Your Furnace Filter

If you’ve recently purchased a home for the first time or had a forced-air furnace installed in a home that did not previously use one, you might not know what types of maintenance tasks you need to regularly perform. One of the easiest things you can do to improve the operation of your furnace is to regularly change the furnace’s filter.

As a general rule, you should change the filter every few months to ensure the machine continues to run at optimal levels of efficiency. Doing so also helps you prevent pollutants from coming up through your ventilation systems and into your living spaces.

The good news is that replacing the furnace filter is one of the easiest maintenance chores you can take care of around your home. However, there are still ways you could accidentally mess the job up, such as by purchasing the wrong filter for your furnace or putting it in the wrong direction, which could result in you restricting airflow.

Here are some tips from an HVAC technician in Mabank, TX to help you get the job done correctly.

Determine the kind of filter you already have in place

Your first step should be to turn off the furnace before you remove the existing filter. Your filter will be located either inside the return air vent or inside the furnace itself. There should be an arrow on the filter that indicates the direction of the airflow. To make sure you always install the filter the correct way, draw the direction of the airflow on the outside of the furnace in permanent marker. This will make it easier for you to correctly install your new filters in the future.

Take note of the size of the filter—it should have its dimensions printed on its cardboard frame. If you have a filter with a plastic frame, this is a reusable type of frame that you should clean with water and a vacuum. Let it dry completely before you reinsert it.

Get your replacement

You’ll be able to find replacement furnace filters at most hardware stores and home centers. They will usually be an inch or two thick. There are different filter ratings that indicate their effectiveness with regard to removing smoke, dust and pollen.

Make sure any replacement filter you purchase matches the length, width and thickness of the previous filter that had been installed in your furnace.

Put it in

The cardboard frame of the new filter will have markings that indicate which side of the filter should face the furnace. Simply slide that filter back into place, and if there are any covers that go over the opening, put those back as well. Write down the date on which you replaced the filter so you know when you need to do it again, or set a recurring calendar item on your phone to help you keep track. You can dispose of the old filter in your trash.

For more information about furnace maintenance, contact Ken’s Comfort Zone Air Conditioning to speak with an experienced HVAC technician in Mabank, TX.

Categorised in: HVAC Technician

This post was written by Writer