Filter Replacement: How to Change Furnace Air Filter? | Airzey

 Furnace filters are an essential component of any HVAC system as they can help to improve indoor air quality and protect your furnace from any damage caused by dirt and debris.

When changing your furnace air filter, the process is not necessarily that straightforward, which is why Airzey is here to help! It's critical to change your furnace air filter regularly (about once every three months) to maintain the effectiveness of your HVAC system. As the air filter becomes clogged with contaminants, it becomes less effective at capturing harmful particles in the air. 

Are you interested in learning more about how to change a furnace filter? Read on to learn everything you need to change your furnace air filter.

Reasons to Change Your Furnace Filter in a Timely Manner

There are plenty of reasons why it's essential to change your furnace filter promptly. Let's go over some of these reasons below:

Improves Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

Naturally, replacing your furnace filter can significantly improve the indoor air quality in your home. When your furnace filter gets clogged, it becomes less efficient at doing its job correctly. This means it can allow more allergens and other harmful particles to pass through the air, negatively impacting your home's indoor air quality. 

By replacing your furnace filter regularly, you can ensure that these particles are trapped and removed from the air.

Improves the Efficiency of Your HVAC System

First, changing your furnace filter in a timely manner will improve your HVAC system's overall efficiency. It ensures that your HVAC system will not have to work harder than it needs to filter pollutants and contaminants in the air.

Reduces Your Energy Bills

Replacing your furnace filter on time will also keep your energy bills down, which is always a plus. Ensuring that your furnace filters are clean and changing them regularly means your utility bill will be 5-15% less expensive. 

A clogged or dirty furnace can significantly reduce airflow, decreasing your HVAC system's efficiency and causing it to work harder. The extra energy your HVAC system exerts will undoubtedly add to your energy bills; therefore, be aware of how often you are replacing your furnace filter if you want to avoid dealing with unnecessary costs.

Expands the Lifespan of Your Furnace

As already noted, a dirty air filter will not be as effective at trapping allergens and other harmful particles, contributing to poor indoor air quality. Replacing your furnace filter routinely will also extend your furnace's lifespan, so be diligent in remembering to change it. 

Neglecting to replace your furnace filter regularly could result in your HVAC system breaking down, which will likely lead to some costly repairs.

How Do You Measure the Frequency of Changing Filters?

Several factors can impact the frequency you need to change your furnace filter. One of these factors is the filter's size. Thicker filters contain more media to absorb pollutants, so a 5-inch filter typically requires fewer replacements than a 1-inch filter. 

The physical dimensions of a filter's length and width are typically preset depending on your HVAC system's ductwork. You can sometimes buy a filter with extra depth to implement additional cleaning power.

Let's go over some of the different filter thicknesses now, as well as how often you should replace your furnace filter based on thickness:

1 Inch

You should replace 1 to 2-inch furnace filters every 1 to 3 months. 

If you have pets or live in a heavily polluted area, you may need to change them more often.

4 Inch

You should replace 3 to 4-inch filters every 6 to 9 months. An example of this would be a "whole house" air filter. 

Steps to Change Your Furnace Filter

Changing your furnace filter is more simple than you might think. Follow these steps, and change your furnace filter today to ensure excellent indoor air quality.

Find and Remove Your Furnace Filter

You can usually find your furnace filter near the blower system, which should be towards the bottom of the front of your furnace. Here, you should see a metal panel on the front or top of the blower. This panel must be removed to gain access to the dirty filter.

Check The State Of The Old Filter

Before replacing your old filter with a new one, you'll want to check its condition. A furnace filter in poor condition will typically look clogged or dirty. It may have a visible build-up of contaminants like dust, dirt, and even mold spores. The surface of your old furnace filter may appear dark or discolored, which is a sure sign that you should change it as soon as possible.

Replace Your Old Furnace Filter 

Additionally, you want to ensure that your filter is the correct size for your system. so make sure to purchase a new filter that is the same size as the old one. If your system does not currently have a filter, measure the inside of the opening where a one inch furnace filter would fit. Luckily, with Airzey, we make it easy to remove your old filter with an eco friendly pick to you're able to easily remove the old filter. 

Replace the Old Furnace Filter (Or Reuse an Existing One)

When replacing your furnace filter, you should only need to install it properly one time. During installation, you'll need to ensure that the arrow points away from the return vent and toward the blower. You should now be able to turn your HVAC system back on (if you turned it off) and experience the glory of breathing clean air.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is furnace filtration?

Furnace filtration is crucial to maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Furnace filtration refers to the process of removing contaminants from the air that is circulated through a furnace or similar heating system. This is usually achieved through the implementation of a furnace air filter.

What are the best ways to keep your air filters clean?

Keeping your furnace filter clean is easy. By implementing a regular replacement routine, cleaning your furnace filter often with water and detergent (letting it dry completely, of course), and using a high-quality filter, you can keep your filter clean and increase your HVAC system's effectiveness. You should also try to keep the area around your furnace clean to reduce the amount of dirt and debris entering your HVAC system. This may involve vacuuming or dusting the area frequently.

How to Identify a Dirty Filter?

Some signs and symptoms that may indicate that your furnace filter is dirty and needs replacement include reduced airflow throughout your home, increased energy bills, poor indoor air quality, or visible dust or debris building up on the filter. You should check your furnace filter at least once a month to ensure it has not become too dirty. Candidly, you can also notice when you're air feels dirtier throughout your home and your home may have a musty feel.

How long does it usually take for a furnace filter to need changing?

How often you will need to change your furnace air filter depends on various factors. It is generally recommended to change your furnace filter every three months. However, if you suffer from allergies or have pets, you may need to change your furnace filter more often. Changing your furnace filter takes about 5 minutes, so it is worth doing as often as possible to ensure clean air in your home or office building.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality With Airzey!

Changing your furnace air filter frequently is critical to maintaining clean air in your home and the efficiency of your HVAC system. Replacing your furnace filter can help preserve optimal airflow, extend your furnace's life, and reduce energy bills.

Are you interested in learning more about air filters or purchasing a few for your HVAC system? Various types and sizes of furnace filters are available, so you should always make sure that you choose the right filter for your HVAC system. Check out Airzey's extensive selection today.