Whether you are moving into a space with a furnace, you want to have a furnace put in, or you are just genuinely curious about the ins and outs of owning or maintaining one, there are plenty of things that you should know. These facts might be something that you already are aware of, but for those who aren’t already aware will learn something that they did not previously think was important when it comes to furnace filters.
There is not a one size fits all policy when it comes to your furnace
There are plenty of furnaces in the world, and all of them are built to fit and filter air through differently sized places. Because of this fact, you can’t expect to just go to the store and pick out any random filter because you own a furnace and it should fit. You will have to make sure that you are getting the correct size, or the filter isn’t going to go into it, or it might fall right through if it is too small. In order to make sure you are getting the right size, get a measuring tape and measure out your unit before looking for a furnace.
If you are unable to get correct measurements, take out the pre-existing filter and bring it with you to the store to get a new one so you can measure the filter on site.
How thick the filter is matters more than you think
You might be thinking that if you get a small and thin filter, you will get more airflow while still allowing dust to get caught. But this is simply not the case. If you want to make sure that you are getting good airflow, you should never pick the filter that you can easily see right through. If you choose a filter that you can see through, the dust can easily get in and out of your furnace and home. This is why it is more important to get a filter that is thick and that you can’t really see through, this way your home is being filtered properly with less dust.
There are certain filters you should avoid due to the material they are made with
Much like sizing the filters properly, you should make sure that you avoid certain filters due to the materials that are used to create it. You want to make sure that you have a filter that is made with sturdy and strong material, but still something that is flexible with good airflow. Don’t choose something cheap, sometimes more expensive filters are better because they are higher in quality and will last longer.
The amount of time between filter changes and cleaning might surprise you
While you might be thinking that changing your filter is an every week process, it really isn’t like that at all. In fact, you can go about 90 days before you even have to look at your filter after you put a brand new one in. These filters last a very long time, if you get the right kind of filter that is made with the right material, and because of that, you don’t have to worry about changing it out for something new until a few months after you have already replaced it. This means that you shouldn’t need more than about 5 filters in a single year. So, you shouldn’t feel bad about spending a little extra money on the higher quality filters.
Changing out the filter doesn’t mean you get away with not properly maintaining your furnace
Finally, if you are new to owning a furnace, then you should know that changing out the filters and making sure that you have the right sizes are the least of your worries. There are plenty more steps to maintaining and taking proper care of your furnace. Changing the filter more often does not mean that you don’t have to do routine check-ups on this furnace.
Final Thoughts
These are only 5 of the most important things that you should know about having a furnace and the filters that go with it. But if you are considering getting a furnace, or if you do already own one, more research is encouraged so that you know how to take care of it and your home.
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