Changing Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Written on: November 6, 2023

Is a dirty filter impacting your indoor air quality and heating system efficiency?

Winter is right around the corner, meaning you and your loved ones will spend a lot more time indoors. Did you know that (according to the Environmental Protection Agency) indoor air is regularly up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? In some circumstances, indoor air is 100 times more polluted!

We all want a healthy, comfortable home for ourselves and our families, and there are many things you can do to ensure that. But the first and most affordable step you can take to improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) is checking your furnace’s air filter regularly.

Furnace air filters are used year-round.

If the last time you checked your air filter was the end of the prior winter, you might assume that it’s just as clean as you left it. After all, you didn’t use your furnace in the summer.

Your furnace’s air filter gets plenty of use during warmer months. A central air conditioning system circulates cooled air through the same ductwork your heating equipment uses. This means your air filter is busy all year catching airborne pollutants like dust, pollen, mold and sundry debris.

When to check your furnace air filter.

Staying on top of your air filters means checking them at least once a month during peak heating and cooling seasons.

Your air filter is located either on the side of your furnace or behind a return-air vent. Check to see if it’s dirty. If it is, you can take one of two actions:

• Reusable air filters can be cleaned and returned to their slots in the furnace or return vent.
• Disposable air filters must be replaced. These products are fairly inexpensive and available at most home stores.

Issues created by dirty and clogged air filters.

You might be shocked by what a difference changing your air filters can make in your home comfort. Such a small and inexpensive item can prevent:

• Higher energy bills caused by frequent furnace cycling.
• Difficulty achieving a comfortable temperature in your living spaces.
• Sudden breakdowns caused by debris accumulation.
• Reduced IAQ, leading to worse allergy and asthma symptoms.
• Greater dust accumulation in your home.

Johnny Prescott can improve your furnace performance.

In Loudon, Penacook, Hopkinton and other New Hampshire communities, Johnny Prescott Oil & Propane has kept families warm and comfortable through more than 80 New England winters. Your well-being is our number one priority.

Before the frigid weather rolls in, contact our expert HVAC service team for annual furnace maintenance. This service is crucial to ensuring the best performance from your heating equipment. Routine maintenance improves fuel efficiency and reduces wear and tear. We’ll clean, test and calibrate your equipment to keep it running smoothly and safely in advance of winter weather.

Don’t put off having a furnace tune-up until the snow starts falling. We are available in late fall to service your equipment. Contact the Johnny Prescott team to request service.