Your forced air furnace filter plays an important role in maintaining the air quality in your home. Checking and replacing the furnace air filter is one of those chores most people know they're supposed to do, but few remember.
Usually when we do home inspections in the Ottawa area, there is a clean furnace air filter in the furnace and a very dirty one sitting next to the furnace. Hmmm ...
How often do furnace air filters need to be changed?
Depending on the quality of the filter, number of people, pets and amount of dust it could be monthly or every three months (for an average home). The general rule is "If it looks dirty, it is dirty."
Another way to determine when your furnace filter needs replacing is you could install an air filter gauge (General G-99 Air Filter Gauge Kit.). The G-99 Air Filter Gage provides a visual indication of the need to replace the air filters in forced air heating and cooling systems. The gage is installed between the furnace blower and the filter where a slight vacuum exists due to the air flow resistance of the air filter.
Why should you change the furnace air filter?
A dirty filter restricts airflow through your heating system. Reduced airflow can mean uneven heating or cooling, increased fuel bills, and possibly premature failure of your furnace due to the added stress of pulling air through the dirty filter.
How to change the furnace air filter?
CAUTION: First locate the power shutoff for the furnace and turn it off before you begin.
STEP #1 - Turn the furnace power off. Usually the switch is well marked in the stairway to the basement or near the furnace. (The Emergency Shut-off tags in the photo below are provided with every ib42 Ottawa Home Inspection)
Furnace (emergency) shut off switch |
STEP #3 - Slide the filter out and note its size. It's written on it somewhere. See the photo below.
STEP #4 - Replace it as needed, but at least every three months. The rate at which they get dirty depends on the number of people, pets and amount of dust in your home.
STEP #5 - Turn the furnace power back on.
TIPS:
- Mark airflow direction on the duct work with a marker so that it will be easier to remember the orientation of the filter the next time.
- Mark the date on the side of the filter as a reminder of the last change.
Furnace air flow, note arrow on filter is the same direction | Furnace air flow, note date on filter |
Furnace Filters Information and References
Some useful information about furnace filters from the EPA.
Furnace filters are rated by Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) and here is a chart
How to choose the right furnace filter
YouTube Video (Note: Make sure to turn the furnace power off first and then back on after!)
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PUBLICATIONS
http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/NH18-24-22E.pdf
NRCAN
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science/expert/video/1503?destination=node/6708
STATISTICS CANADA
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-002-x/16-002-x2012001-eng.pdf (stat on furnace changes)
CITY OF TORONTO
Indoor Air Fact sheet
http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/indoor_air_factsheet.pdf
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
“Air Cleaning Devices”
www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35696
ASSOCIATION OF HOME APPLIANCE MANUFACTURERS
A website on portable air filters and the ANSI / AHAM AC-1 Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) approach.
www.cadr.org
CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD
“Air Cleaner Devices for the Home: Frequently Asked Questions” An overview of considerations when purchasing a filter.
www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/aircleaners.htm
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION (CMHC)
“Your Furnace Filter”
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_008.cfm
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/pdf/61607.pdf
CONSUMER REPORTS
Objective information on the performance of specific models, as well as general advice.
www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm
FOR INFORMATION ON ASTHMA CONTROL
www.asthma.ca and www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_005.cfm
HEALTH CANADA
“Warning - Health Canada warns the public about air cleaners designed to intentionally generate ozone” This publication includes a list of affected ozone generator brands and models.
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisoriesavis/1999/1999_62_e.html
LOW-POLLUTION PRODUCTS
Healthy Indoors Partnership (HIP) will prepare a separate consumers’ guide to finding and buying low-emission products and services. In the meantime, we suggest the following helpful sites:
www.oikos.com and www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_006.cfm
NATIONAL AIR FILTRATION ASSOCIATION
Provides technical guides to MERV ratings and air filtration.
www.nafahq.org
Inspected by 42 Home Inspections - Kanata and Ottawa surrounding area
Maintaining your furnace air filter correctly will not only give you cleaner air to breath but at the same time help maintain the working condition too. Before you want to change your air filter it is recommended that you measure and order the correct size and thickness.
ReplyDeleteFurnace Filters
I liked the content on this site. Would like to visit again.
ReplyDeleteOzone Color Removal & hospital ozone disinfection
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAir ducts are cleaned and properly cared for on a regular basis, it is one important part of maintaining a clean air conditioning and heating system is making sure the filter is regularly changed.
ReplyDeleteDuct inspection Robots | Duct cleaning Robots
Such an amazing article. Knew about furnaces a lot. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHeating and Cooling Toronto
Thanks so much for sharing this! I have actually been interested in getting good heating and air conditioning in Toronto... Are you familiar with this
ReplyDeletewebsite at all
Heating and Cooling Toronto
Nice Post. 24X7 HVAC provides Furnace Repair and installation services in Canada
ReplyDeleteNice post. what you mentioned in above post that is true. I also suffered with same issue and i contacted 24X7 HVAC. these people given very good service.
ReplyDeleteLongmont Heater Restore is the one-stop Heater and Ac Repair organization about the Entrance Variety. Situated in Longmont, CO. Provide A phone nowadays!
ReplyDeleteSource: Furnace Repair Longmont
Furnace services for the North Denver and Boulder area include: regular maintenance, cleaning, repair, installation and emergencies. All of technicians are highly skilled and undergo regular training on boilers and furnaces.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this wonderful information.
ReplyDeleteIt is really impressive.
hvac repair company fort myers fl
nice information...
ReplyDeleteyou are done a great job here.
Heating and Cooling Mississauga
Very nice blog. Thank you for sharing. Keep it up
ReplyDeleteair duct cleaning services
This is a really good way to thoroughly clean out the house.
ReplyDeleteHeating and Cooling Toronto
Very nice blog. Thank you for sharing. Keep it up
ReplyDeleteFurnace Vent Cleaning Calgary
It seems from the above informations that it is important to replace furnace air filter.
ReplyDeleteThis article is nicely written. A very well written guide to take care of your furnace.
ReplyDeletecosmopolitanmechanical.ca