What Furnace Filter Should I Use
TORONTO – If you're like most people, you probably don't give your furnace much idea as long every bit it's keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But in order to keep information technology working to its optimal performance — and help preclude a possible malfunction — y'all need to either alter or make clean your furnace filter on a regular basis.
Sounds uncomplicated, merely in reality at that place are and so many options for furnace filters that choosing the wrong one tin do more damage to your furnace than good and could potentially cause your furnace to break down.
How a furnace works
A traditional forced-air furnace draws air in via render ducts, warms it over a rut exchanger then, with the help of a blower fan, pushes the heated air through a series of ducts that branch off into rooms throughout your domicile. The furnace runs until the temperature inside reaches your desired thermostat setting. (If you have whole home ac the process is similar with the air being cooled in the summer by an outdoor compressor unit and a serial of coils inside your furnace).
Lookout: Repair Clinic explains how a furnace works
What a furnace filter does
The main purpose of a furnace filter is to protect the blower fan from all the dust, pilus and other gunk the return duct pulls in. While it will also help the quality of your inside air (as information technology is removing contaminants from being recirculated), its job is not to actually clean your air as many people believe.
How filters are rated
Furnace filters are rated using the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). MERV ratings range from 1 to xvi. The higher the rating the more particles the filter tin remove (cheque out the infographic below — courtesy airfilterbuy.com — to get an idea of what each MERV rating can handle). Higher rated filters allow less air to flow through though and tin can strength your furnace to piece of work harder and possibly malfunction. A MERV rating betwixt eight and 11 is adequate for most homes. To be safe, you should check if your furnace manufacturer has a maximum MERV rating your model of furnace can use.
Some home improvement centres, such every bit Home Depot, use their own rating system on products sold in their stores. These ratings are similar to the MERV scale merely do vary slightly. It's all-time to ostend what their rating converts to on the MERV scale to ensure you're using a filter safe for your furnace.
Filter types
The most mutual type of furnace filter is the dispensable pleated kind. These come in a range of standard sizes and ratings. Pleated filters are constructed out of newspaper and polyester and do a proficient job at filtering most household particles and allergens. The price of these filters varies from a couple of dollars all the way into the $thirty – $40 range depending on the make, size and rating of the filter. Pleated filters should be checked monthly for blockages and replaced on average every 90 days.
Disposable fibreglass filters are the cheapest filter on the market. They have an near web appearance and are most oftentimes blue in color. They come in many standard sizes, but are generally more flimsy and have lower ratings than pleated filters. Due to their junior quality, disposable fibreglass filters should be checked and replaced more frequently than pleated filters.
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Permanent reusable filters (as well referred to as washable filters) are synthetic with either a solid aluminum or plastic frame and are more efficient than a disposable filter. These filters can be vacuumed off and cleaned with h2o. They come in a range of sizes and ratings, and while more plush to purchase, they last an average of 5 years if maintained with a proper cleaning at to the lowest degree every 90 days.
A note about electrostatic filters
Both dispensable and washable filters come up in electrostatic versions. Electrostatic filters self-charge themselves equally air passes through them. This process helps trap small particles, making them adept for homes with pets or people who fume inside. Check your furnace manual to ensure you tin can safely employ electrostatic filters.
Filter sizes
Furnace filters are sized by thickness (depth), height and length. The most common thickness is one", with four" also being a popular pick on larger systems. Tiptop and length combinations range from 10"x10" all the manner to 30"x30". The most common sizes are 14"x25", 16"x20", sixteen"x25", twenty"x25", and 25"x25". To find out what size filter your furnace uses, remove and cheque the old filter (the size should be written on the frame of the filter) or refer to your furnace manual.
Annotation: If your furnace uses a custom size filter speak with your furnace manufacturer to find out where yous can buy replacement filters.
Replacing your filter
Once you lot know what size filter you require and what MERV rating you can use, and accept chosen what filter blazon to purchase, it'south time to supervene upon the old filter.
Notation: To ensure your furnace doesn't kicking in while y'all're changing your filter information technology'south recommended yous turn your furnace off while swapping out the filter.
Open the filter compartment door (this will be between the air intake and furnace itself) and slide the former filter out and properly dispose of it (it volition be dusty and then endeavour to place information technology in a bag as chop-chop and gently as possible). If you have a permanent filter, vacuum it off earlier rinsing it thoroughly with h2o. Allow information technology to completely dry before putting it back inside your furnace.
Lookout man: Liberty Homes demonstrates how to change a furnace filter
If you haven't changed your filter in a long time and notice lots of pilus or dust around the filter opening, it's highly recommend you lot vacuum around the outside of the furnace and inside the filter opening before replacing the filter.
Whether you're using a dispensable or washable filter it volition have an pointer on it showing the direction of the airflow. The arrow needs to face the furnace side of the compartment when you slide it in. This is of import to ensure your filter is working properly.
Once you have your filter replaced plough your furnace back on. Check your filter monthly and clean your washable filter or supervene upon your dispensable filter every 90 days.
Notation: If you're not comfortable cleaning or changing your ain furnace filter contact an HVAC professional in your area for assistance.
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What Furnace Filter Should I Use,
Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/1621011/what-you-need-to-know-about-furnace-filters/
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