Furnace Air Filter - A Very Important Part Of Your Heating System
If you have a forced air heating system that you use regularly, or if you are getting ready to start your furnace up for the heating system, one of the most important things you must do is make sure you change the furnace air filters on a regular basis.
Anyone can do this quick and easy task themselves.
Furnace air filters should be changed on a regular basis. Check the manual that came with the furnace for the schedule. If you live in a particularly dusty or dirty environment, change your furnace air filter every month. Here's some tips to make sure this is a quick and easy chore.
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*Before you do anything to your furnace, turn the power off. It's a simple way to insure your safety. If you have a furnace that has a filter but is powered only by natural gas or propane, turn off the gas for the same reason.
*Carefully open the door to the furnace's blower. If you're not sure where it is, check your furnace manual.
*Once your furnace air filter is visible, slide it out, and slide the new one in. If there's a problem moving the filter in or out, troubleshoot by checking your manual.
*Visually inspect the condition of the furnace air filter. The purpose of a filter is remove dirt and dust, and keeping it out off heating system equipments. If the filter is solidly covered with dirt and dust, make a note of the last time it was changed. You might find that you need to change filters more often to avoid the furnace air filter getting so clogged that is is useless.
*Remember that not all the dirt in your furnace is stopped at the filter. Check the blower and venting system that surrounds the blower for dirt and dust. Carefully vacuum these areas.
*Make sure you use the correct filter. You cannot "make do" with filter that is wrong size. A furnace air filter that is too small will simply let dirt directly into your heating system. If it's a washable filter you have, wash and rinse it thoroughly before replacing it.
*Make sure any filter you put in is put in facing the proper direction. Filters are usually marked to show which way the air should be flowing through them. Filters are often treated on one side to improve the efficiency with which it traps dust and dirt.
*Close the door to the blower compartment carefully and securely, restore any gas or power you've turned off, check your thermostat to ensure it's set at the correct temperature.
*Make a note on your calendar so you remember the next time your furnace air filter should be changed.
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