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What You Need to Know About Furnace Air Filters
Posted On: February 1, 2025
Here’s an informative overview of what you need to know about furnace air filters:
What Are Furnace Air Filters?
Furnace air filters are essential components of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. They trap dust, dirt, pet dander, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating throughout your home.
Why Are Furnace Air Filters Important?
- Improved Air Quality – Filters remove allergens and pollutants, making indoor air healthier.
- Protects HVAC System – A clean filter prevents dust buildup in the furnace, which can cause overheating and damage.
- Energy Efficiency – A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder, leading to higher energy bills.
- Extends Equipment Lifespan – Regularly changing filters reduces wear and tear on your HVAC system.
Types of Furnace Air Filters
- Fiberglass Filters – Low-cost, disposable filters that provide basic filtration but need frequent replacement.
- Pleated Filters – Made of polyester or cotton, these offer better filtration and last longer.
- Electrostatic Filters – Use static electricity to capture particles, available in disposable or washable versions.
- HEPA Filters – High-efficiency filters that trap 99.97% of small particles, ideal for allergy sufferers.
- Activated Carbon Filters – Help remove odors, smoke, and chemicals in addition to dust and debris.
Choosing the Right Filter
Filters are rated using the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale (1-20):
- MERV 1-4 – Basic filtration (low-cost but ineffective for small particles).
- MERV 5-8 – Good for residential use, capturing dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander.
- MERV 9-12 – Superior filtration, effective for people with allergies or respiratory issues.
- MERV 13-20 – Used in hospitals and clean rooms, may restrict airflow in standard furnaces.
How Often Should You Change the Filter?
- Basic fiberglass filters – Every 30 days.
- Pleated and electrostatic filters – Every 60-90 days.
- HEPA and high-efficiency filters – Every 6-12 months (depending on usage).
- Homes with pets or allergies – Change filters more frequently.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace Filter
- Reduced airflow from vents
- Increased dust buildup in your home
- Higher energy bills
- Strange odors from vents
- Allergy symptoms worsening
Final Tips
- Check your filter monthly and replace it as needed.
- Choose a filter with the right MERV rating for your home and HVAC system.
- If unsure, consult your furnace manual or an HVAC professional.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Apr 10, 2019
Had new furnace installed and ran into some difficulties but the contractor responded in a timely and efficient manner - after further service calls were made, a reasonable resolution was found.
Apr 8, 2019
The work was done quickly efficiently neatly and professionally. Pleased with the service, information, product, and the company.
Apr 1, 2019
Great sales member named Dave came in told us some amazing items and how they would be priced installed an all. We couldnt believe it! The next day the ac was installed, that day one employee named Greg told us that our furnace was working way to hard and was causing us to use way too much gas. So two days later they came in an installed a new furnace!
Apr 1, 2019
Installation was done quickly and professionally. The new furnace is quiet and provides even heat.
Mar 3, 2019
They removed and discarded old furnace. Installed new furnace. Installed air intake pipe, that had never been installed by builder, no charge. Replaced loose hose on floor with hard pipe and rerouted it to drain, no charge. Almost 33% cheaper then quote from Enercare, which was the company we dealt with and had insurance with for 8 years. No yearly fee for cleaning/insurance, saves 300 a year. Courteous, professional, fast, and friendly. My wife and I have been recommending them to everyone we know and meet, and will continue to do so. Thanks for everything, Twintech!!!
Mar 4, 2019
This company was great to deal with. Our furnace went down and they installed a new furnace the next day with a lot of professionalism!
Feb 22, 2019
Finally! An honest company with highly knowledgeable and informative staff. Had a furnace service and found multiply errors in our system from an amateur installer. Very fair price to correct problems and will definitely use again.
Feb 16, 2019
Had to replace the heating & a/c unit in a condo apartment dwelling. this company recommended by the property manager and president of the condo building. found their workmanship and attention to details very good and very thorough. were able to resolve small problems and situations and happy to feel the heat in my unit. it's pricey, but happy was done by a very professional service. thank you.
Feb 13, 2019
Fantastic team. Completed the job as per the specifications and in under 3 hours. Highly recommended Twintech.
Jan 30, 2019
During the summer, I previously hired TwinTech to replace my air conditioner when it failed. They did an excellent job so when I decided to proactively replace the furnace I contacted them. The furnace I had was 22 years old and showed signs of internal leakage. It still worked but rather than wait to have it fail in cold weather, I decided to purchase a higher efficiency model before it failed and take advantage of energy efficiency rebates. TwinTech offered very useful advice on the make and model of furnace to choose including high efficiency and variable speed motor. The price was reasonable, TwinTech arrived at the allotted time, installed the new furnace (including some re-routing of exhaust lines since the existing ones were too close to other vents), removed the old furnace, tested the installation and cleaned everything up. Overall, it was a good experience, they did a great job and the new furnace is working well.
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