Why Its Important To Change Your Furnace Filter

Air filters don't just help to improve the air quality in your home, they protect your heating system equipment from damage and improve its performance. It is the most important maintenance task for optimizing your heating system's energy efficiency. Energy savings, lower utility bills, and better indoor air quality are the three greatest benefits that you’ll enjoy when you replace your dirty furnace filters. An understanding of the role that air filters play helps explain why they’re so important: Airflow. Even the most energy-efficient furnace can’t keep your home snug and warm without a well-operating air distribution system. If an air filter becomes so clogged and dirty that it restricts airflow, the system will have to work harder to get conditioned air through the ductwork. Dirt can also accumulate on the coils and further restrict airflow. Heater performance. Dirty filters can cause dust, grime, and debris to build up on heater components, which can impair the efficiency of the entire heating system. Over time, the heater’s performance weakens while the energy usage steadily increases. Replacing a clogged filter can lower an HVAC system’s energy consumption by as much as 15 percent. Indoor Air Quality. Filters are rated according to the number and size of particles that they can trap. In the rating system used, the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), the higher the MERV, the better the filter’s ability to remove small particulates. There is always a trade-off between air resistance and particle size so it’s best to talk to a professional to see what filters are right for your system. Home Inspectors can play a vital role in identifying simple maintenance task like this that will not only help save you money but will furnace last for the duration of its useful life expectancy. At Inspec Homes are home inspectors are here to help.