Everything You Need to Know About Furnace Air Filters

Your furnace needs regular maintenance to function optimally at all times. One essential maintenance requirement is to replace the furnace air filter regularly. Even though an air filter may seem like a minor component of your furnace, it is responsible for removing dust, dirt, and other debris from the air you breathe. When your filter becomes too clogged, it can cause various problems with your furnace, and the indoor air quality decreases. Here you will learn everything you need to know about furnace air filters. 

 

 

How Furnace Air Filters Work  

A furnace filter works by forcing impurities or contaminants in the air to travel through a system of filtering media (such as filament spun glass). As the airborne contaminants and small particles travel through this filtering media, they become trapped in the fibers and can't make it into your air vents.  

 

It's essential to ensure your furnace is fitted with the correct furnace filter sizes and that your filters are regularly replaced. Most experts recommend replacing your HVAC air filter at least twice per year. This will help ensure that the heated air circulating through your home is as clean and safe to breathe as possible.  

 

If you have anyone with allergies or asthma living in your home, it's vital to make sure your furnace filter is clean and effective at all times. In addition, any time asthma or allergy symptoms get worse, it's wise to inspect your furnace filter to see if it needs replacement.  

 

 

Signs Your Furnace Filter Is Clogged  

If you're not sure whether you need a furnace filter replacement, here are some indications that your HVAC filter is already clogged:  

 

• You notice a burning scent every time your heating system turns on. While this slight burning smell is expected the first time your furnace kicks on for the cold season, it's not normal to continue smelling it every time the heat turns on.  

• Your furnace takes a while to turn on and sounds like it's rumbling and stalling when it finally starts.  

• You are sick more often (which may mean contaminants have saturated your furnace filter and are being cycled through your home every time your heater turns on).  

• You notice that dust builds up quickly on all surfaces in your home.  

• Your energy bills are higher than they usually are.  

• Your home isn't heating up even though your furnace is turning on.  

 

You can also perform the "white sheet test" to determine you have a dirty air filter and it's time for a new air filter replacement. To do this test, take a clean, white sheet and hang it approximately six inches from one of the heater vents in your home. Allow the sheet to stay in place for up to two hours. If you have a dirty filter, the sheet may turn dark gray. When this happens, it's time to start looking for the best furnace filters to replace your current saturated filter. AAF Flanders air filters are an excellent option and have a wide selection of quality fiberglass filters, pleated filters, and more. 

 

 

How To choose the Right Filter for Your Furnace  

Furnace filters are rated using the MERV system; this stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The best furnace filters have higher MERV ratings than their poor-quality counterparts. The higher the furnace filter MERV rating, the more airborne particles the filter can remove from the air you breathe.  

 

That doesn't necessarily mean that you want an ac filter with the highest possible MERV rating, though. Filters with high MERV ratings allow less air to move through them. While this can be very helpful for removing all unwanted airborne particles from the air, it can also put significant strain on your furnace. Over time, having a filter with the highest MERV rating in place can cause your furnace to malfunction.  

 

For most homes, a MERV rating between 8 and 11 is ideal. Check the maximum MERV rating for your particular type of furnace to make sure you're not forcing your HVAC system to work too hard through the cold winter months.  

 

In addition to the MERV rating, you can also choose filters based on type. Pleated filters are the most popular type of furnace filter, and a disposable filter is also a regular choice. These filters are made from polyester and paper and can filter most household impurities. They also come in various sizes, which means you'll need to measure your furnace or check the size of your current filter to know what size your new filter should be. The AAF Flanders Synthetic 8 MERV Pleated Air Filter is an excellent option if it fits your furnace needs. 

 

The cheapest type of filter on the market is the disposable fiberglass kind. This type of filter is usually blue and has a spider-web appearance. Though they will remove some impurities from the air in your home, they are generally not as effective as the pleated type. They are also flimsier and need to be replaced more frequently. If you are looking for a disposable filter, the AAF Flanders Spun Fiberglass Disposable Air Filter is a great choice. 

 

 

Find Products for Your Heating and Cooling Needs  

Whether you're looking to replace an old filter, a new HVAC unit, or other heating and cooling products, you can find what you need here at Max Warehouse. From HVAC parts and accessories to high-velocity fans, check out our selection of high-quality heating and cooling products today and make your home a more comfortable place to live.  

 

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We'd recommend you shop your next supply of furnace filters with Max Subscriptions to put your furnace filters on auto-pilot! Choose how much you want + how often you want it and save 5% on every order! Cancel, modify or pause at anytime!

 

 

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