Heating and Cooling | October 12, 2018
How Often Should I Change My Furnace Filter?
When outside temperatures drop, we tend to move the action indoors and hibernate to escape winter’s grasp. Not only are we relying on our furnace to keep us safe and warm from the wintery elements, we also want to make sure that the near-constant movement of warm air through those vents is as free of dust and other allergy-causing particles as possible.
Changing your furnace filter regularly is the easiest DIY furnace maintenance you can do to improve the efficiency and overall function of your home’s furnace. Keep reading to learn why replacing your furnace filter is important and check out our handy guide that outlines how often to change furnace filters.
Benefits of regular furnace filter replacement
Air filter replacement is an important part of ongoing HVAC maintenance that should also include regular servicing and duct cleaning. A clean filter not only means cleaner air, but also helps keeps your furnace running efficiently for years to come. Here are some of the reasons why you should regularly change your furnace filter:
- An ineffective furnace filter makes your furnace work harder. When the filter becomes clogged with dust and grime, air struggles to flow through the system efficiently and your furnace has to cycle on more often to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. This can mean pricier energy bills and a larger carbon footprint.
- Dirty filter, dirty air. When you and your family are in full hibernation mode, the last thing you want to be worried about is potentially harmful dust, dander, or mould contaminating your home’s air. A clean air filter is your first line of defense against household air contaminants being dispersed by your furnace.
- Extend your furnace’s lifespan. When your furnace has to regularly work harder to heat your home, the tradeoff isn’t just expensive heating bills — the additional strain on your system’s blower can lead to premature HVAC failure. Regular filter changes are a super simple and inexpensive way to keep your furnace in action for as long as possible.
- Less dust means less dusting! Regular filter replacement won’t let you retire the Swiffer completely, but a clean filter does a great job of trapping lots of dust that would otherwise float around and eventually settle on surfaces like bookshelves and tables.
How often to replace furnace filter
There are a few different factors to consider when planning your furnace filter replacement schedule. These include things like the size of the filter, additional sources of airborne particles or contaminants in your home, as well as the season — furnaces get plenty of use during our Edmonton winters, so we advise customers to change furnace filters in winter more frequently.
Use this general guide to help you decide how often to change your furnace filter:
| 1-2” Filter | 4” Filter | 5” Filter | |
| No allergies or additional sources of dust or airborne particles | Replace every 3 months | Replace every 6 months | Replace every 12 months |
| Respiratory conditions or indoor air contains one or more of the following: pet dander, construction dust, smoke | Replace every 1-2 months | Replace every 4 months | Replace every 6 months |
Stay on top of furnace filter changes to enjoy cleaner air and a more efficient furnace, especially during those cold winter months when everyone is spending more time enjoying the great indoors.
Worried that filter changes won’t make the cut in an already-packed schedule? First Call takes the guesswork out of regular furnace maintenance with affordable and convenient protection plans that include discounts on things like duct cleaning and new furnace filters.
Is your furnace ready to hang up its filter for good?
We have a wide range of replacement high-efficiency gas furnaces to choose from and expert installers that make the process painless and stress free. Call us at 780.464.3337 or book an appointment online to learn more!
