Checking and changing furnace filters is the most important heating maintenance task a homeowner can undertake. Using a furnace with a clogged filter can lead to uneven heating or a complete system breakdown. Unfortunately, some homeowners simply don’t know how to change a furnace filter, so they just put off the task altogether.
Changing a furnace filter is pretty easy. Simply head to your mechanical room and look at your furnace. The filter should be found in the blower compartment. Carefully slide out the filter and inspect it. If you can’t see any light coming through the filter—it needs to be replaced. A helpful tip when replacing a filter is to write the date on it in marker so you’ll always know when the time comes to change it.
When replacing a filter, make sure it’s compatible with your heating system. Sometimes homeowners want to improve their air quality and try to use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, but not all heating systems are designed to work with high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) filters.
It’s also crucial that the filter is correctly installed. If you put the filter in backwards, the furnace has to work harder to move air, which can strain the system. Filters should come with arrows that point which way it should be installed. A good time to review the proper way to change an air filter is during annual maintenance. A certified heating technician can take a few minutes and show you where the filter is located, the right filter to use and the proper way to change it.
If you have any questions about the proper way to change a filter,
don’t hesitate to contact Team Harding.
Harding Heating & Air Conditioning has been proudly serving the Ottawa region with outstanding service since 1994. From furnace tune-ups to heating installations, we are committed to helping homeowners improve comfort during the colder months.
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