Furnace Filters
Cleaning your furnace filters are as important as maintaining your overall furnace. It is said to be the frontline part of furnace that helps prevent unwanted dust and dirt to circulate your home or establishment. In winter season, heaters or furnaces are often treated with regular maintenance usually done by homeowners or professional inspectors.
The furnace filters do not only rid of dust entry to its users, but they also prevent accumulation of debris and sand-like particles in the blower compartment and heating coils that will result to the growth of nasty bacteria and fungi. This will likely pose health threat to the users. Plus, performance of heaters will be affected by the high concentration of dirt leading to high energy consumption and high maintenance cost.
To prevent any further damage or adverse incidents, it is recommended to routinely switch furnace air filters with new ones once in every three to four months. Other furnaces require furnace filter replacement after two months of use. The filters installed on your heaters can be categorized into two: the disposable cardboard filters and the replaceable fiberglass filters. Different heaters require different type of filters too. But in places near highways or roads, or in cities that have high density of dusts in the air, an option of a high-grade filter must be purchased.
If you do not opt to change filters on your own, you may however leave the job to your furnace maintenance contractors. To some Americans, doing it yourself will help them economize. But even so, contractors only come once in every year to regularly check your heaters. Contractors may require the owner to have routine cleaning of the filters in between or before their visit. So it is important to know at least how to clean them before anything gets worst.
For first-time cleaners, locating the filter is essential. To it make it safer, turn off the source of electricity first. The collected dusts that hang on filters can be nasty, so wear a face mask especially for people who have allergies to dust or respiratory problems like asthma. Better yet, have somebody healthier to do the job. The filter is usually found on the return grill or the area where the cool air gets in the furnace. Most furnace filters come in slide-in-slide-out features so it is easy to uninstall them. Screw-drivers should also come in handy in case screws are present. If you cannot find the filter yourself or you are just not sure if what you are facing is the right one, contact your contractor.
Again, filters come in disposable and reusable. If it is reusable, have it washed on running water or a hose. Use a detergent in your home but not that strong as it may affect the component of the filter. Strong detergents may corrode or cause brittleness in some fiberglass-made filters. Use a brush, preferably an old toothbrush to scrub off dirt on those slim areas. Don’t soak filters in water. After brushing, rinse it well and air dry.
After maybe two to three washes, you may consider reusable furnace filters to be replaced. Bring this along in purchasing a new set of filters. Do not buy individual filters but buy by bulk usually by the dozens as it will help you cut down cost. Opting for the same brand is good, but looking for a durable filter will be better.
For disposable filters, dispose of them properly after you get the size. If you still consider replacing disposable filters, buy as many as you can. Cardboard made filters are more frequently changed than reusable ones.
As a final word on replacing furnace air filter, carefully inspect the size and durability of its component else you may end up buying the wrong filter. If you must buy the most expensive out there, make sure it is the original and bears a seal of quality assurance and authenticity. It is important to note that the more expensive a filter is, the more it is prone to pirating and fabricating.