How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter?

Professional Services Heating, AC & Electric Repair

February 28, 2023

Your furnace is a vital component of your Port Washington, WI, home. That’s why it's crucial to change your furnace’s filter regularly to ensure that it operates optimally throughout the frigid winter season. Unfortunately, many Port Washington residents don’t know when to change their furnace filters, decreasing their furnace's efficiency, their home's indoor air quality, and more.


So, how often should you change your furnace filter? To answer this question and more, Professional Services developed a guide to teach Port Washington, WI, homeowners when to change their furnace filters.


Professional Services is Port Washington’s number-one heating and cooling company. We offer high-quality HVAC services that help your system reach its full potential so your home stays pleasant no matter the outside weather. If you want to improve your indoor air quality in Port Washington, WI, while taking your residence’s interior comfort to new heights, contact Professional Services.


The Importance of Changing Your Furnace Filter

Regularly changing your furnace filter is more important than you might think. Filters catch airborne pollutants like dust and pet dander before the furnace distributes the air throughout your home, ensuring that you have fresh, clean air year-round. However, old, dirty air filters can't eliminate impurities efficiently, significantly reducing your home’s indoor air quality.


Filters also play a critical role in your furnace’s energy consumption. Furnaces with dirty filters require more energy than ones with clean filters and can drastically increase your energy bills. Clean filters reduce the unit’s energy requirements while increasing its efficiency, keeping your energy bills affordable without diminishing your comfort.


However, the question remains: How often should you change your furnace filter?


When To Change Your Furnace Filter

Figuring out when to change your furnace filter depends on the type of filters you use. Filters come in several variations and feature different replacement frequencies. However, the most common types of filters are:


  • Fiberglass filters
  • Pleated filters


Fiberglass Filters

Fiberglass filters are the most common and the least expensive. They usually require a replacement every 30 days but can last longer depending on their quality and how often you use your furnace. That said, always check your fiberglass filter’s condition at the end of every month to ensure optimal efficiency.


Pleated Filters

Pleated filters are less common than fiberglass varieties but are much more efficient and long-lasting. These are some of the best filters available and can last up to six months before needing a replacement (depending on the furnace’s size and the filter’s quality). However, it's best to change pleated filters every 90 days to maintain pristine indoor air quality and unit performance.


When shopping for furnace filters, try finding ones with high MERV ratings. MERV ratings rank a filter's quality and effectiveness at stopping airborne pollutants. Filters with higher MERV ratings work better than variations with lower scores.


What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Furnace Filter?

Failing to change your furnace filter often leads to several issues and can even jeopardize the entire system.


Again, dirty air filters can’t catch airborne pollutants, tainting your indoor air while causing dust and debris to contaminate the system’s interior. Dust, debris, and dirt can clog valves and fan motors, causing the unit to lose efficiency and eventually break down. 


Dirty filters can also overstress the furnace, causing it to use more energy. The excess energy consumption can skyrocket your energy bills, further depleting your funds. Regularly changing the filter preserves the furnace, its efficiency, and your home’s indoor air quality, making it an essential part of your maintenance schedule.


Benefits of Regularly Changing Your Home's Furnace Filter

Changing your furnace’s filter provides more benefits than just improved efficiency and indoor air quality. It offers numerous advantages that will help your heating and cooling system be the best it can be. Below are some prevalent benefits of regularly changing your furnace filter.


Reduced Allergy Symptoms

Many Port Washington residents experience allergies that worsen with poor indoor air quality. Dirty air filters can dramatically reduce your home’s indoor air quality, enhancing the symptoms’ severity. Changing the air filter every 30 days is a great way to reduce allergy symptoms and improve your overall health.


Clean furnace filters can also reduce symptoms of COPD, asthma, and other respiratory issues, promoting your family's health and safety throughout the year. 


Elongates Lifespan

Dirty filters can take a toll on your furnace over time. They can cause numerous issues that reduce the system's longevity, requiring you to replace the unit prematurely. Regularly replacing the furnace filter will reduce the unit’s stress while preventing malfunctions, allowing you to get the most out of your furnace before upgrading to a newer model.


Reduces Energy Bills

Failing to change your furnace filter every month or so can increase your monthly energy bills. Filthy furnace filters reduce the unit’s performance while heightening its energy requirements, soaring your energy payments. You can waste hundreds or more over time if you don’t change the filter regularly.


Changing the filter will reduce the furnace’s energy consumption, making your energy bills more affordable. These cost benefits may even outweigh the initial investment of purchasing new filters. 


Increased Efficiency

Most homeowners want a highly efficient furnace that keeps them warm during chilly winter days. Replacing the unit’s filter ensures it operates at its highest efficiency level throughout the year, keeping your home comfortable throughout winter. Regularly changing the filter is one of the best ways to improve your unit’s performance without spending money on upgrades or accessories.


Contact Professional Services for High-Quality Heating and Cooling Services in Port Washington, WI

Before asking yourself, “How often should you change your furnace filter?” contact Professional Services. We will teach you everything you need to know about HVAC filter replacement while providing extraordinary customer service along the way. Our award-winning team will handle all your furnace repair, installation, and maintenance needs at a price that fits your budget.


Give Professional Services a call at (262) 218-2636 and schedule your appointment in Port Washington today!

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