Do you know how important a furnace filter is? Would you like to find out how to replace your furnace filter?
The job of the furnace filter is to filter air that enters your furnace. This will keep allergens and other particles that might harm yours and your HVAC unit’s health away. This daily filtering will result in all sorts of dirt and grime being stuck in the filter. Therefore it is necessary to replace it on a regular basis.
Here is a complete guide on how to replace your furnace filter…
1. Replaceable Vs washable:
There are mainly two types of furnace filters replaceable ones and washable ones. You can easily find out what type of filter your furnace has by looking at reading the box it came in or checking online. If you need to you can also ask an HVAC repairman. If you have a washable one, you can just remove it, wash it and place it back inside. For replaceable ones you have to follow the below steps.
2. Figure out what suits your furnace:
Furnace filters have different kinds of features like size, depth and MERV rating. You need to find out what features suit your furnace best before purchasing a filter. For those of you who don’t know MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating is a scale that determines how well your furnace can filter things. The rating is usually between 1 and 16. The higher the rating the more efficient your filter will perform i.e. it will filter out finer particles. You can’t just select a filter with a MERV rating you want. It has to have a rating that will suit your furnace. If the rating is too high or too low to the one suggested by the company (for that model) it could end up damaging the furnace.
So take great care in finding out your furnace’s MERV rating and find a suitable filter.
The best time to buy your filters is in off season when they are cheaper. Buy a few so that you will always have one to replace. A multiple pack can help you save money too.
3. Replace:
Once you have your filter you can just open your furnace, remove the filter and place the new one. The filter can be found in the place where air enters the furnace. This is usually the cold air return duct or the entrance to the blower chamber.
This is how to replace a furnace filter. Did we forget to list anything important? Please leave your comments below.
Image Credit: MBK and paul_fujimoto