The Twin Cities area can have extraordinarily cold days during the winter that keep your furnace running hours every day. In order to keep your utility bills lower and your furnace working efficiently, be sure to clean or replace your furnace filters at regular intervals. Experts recommend cleaning or replacing once a month if it’s been exceptionally cold. The filters trap dust, keeping it from going into the furnace, your ducts and your lungs. Clean filters are the simplest and often the most effective way to get the most from your furnace and breathe clean air.
Many options exist for choosing new furnace filters. You can stick with the standard fiberglass filters that remove the largest particles from the air or choose filters that trap small particles. Manufacturers even make filters that trap mold, viruses and pollen, good choices for families with members who have allergies or asthma.
Filters carry a MERV rating, a scale running between 1 and 16. Higher MERV ratings indicate the filter removes smaller particles. When choosing filters with the higher MERV ratings, it’s important to talk to a licensed heating and cooling specialist first. Dense filters slow the rate at which air enters the furnace and your air handler may need adjustments to use the denser filters.
Another consideration when choosing filters is whether to get disposable filters or choose filters that you can clean yourself using a vacuum or water. The advantage of disposable filters is that your furnace needs to be off only as long as it takes to switch the filter, typically just a few minutes. Reusable filters, on the other hand, cut down on household waste and can last many years.
The licensed professionals at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning can advise you on the best filters for you and your family. They also provide a system check and adjustments regardless of the kind of filters you choose to keep your furnace running at its best this winter.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!