When is it Time to Change Your Furnace Filter? Insights from a Glen Ellyn Heating and Cooling Company

Most people expect that their furnace should start working each winter at the press of a button. Although furnaces have evolved with technology, they still require regular maintenance. One component in particular that needs to be regularly looked after is the furnace filter. A furnace filter should be changed regularly to keep the furnace operating at optimal efficiency.

In this post, we’re going to explain how often you should change the furnace filter in your Glen Ellyn home.

Change Every Season

Changing the furnace filter in a house in Glen Ellyn, IllinoisAs the months pass by, the furnace filter accumulates dirt, dust, and hair, gradually blocking the flow of air to your furnace. This insufficient airflow can cause the furnace to overload, decreasing its efficiency. Ideally, you should change your air filter multiple times throughout the winter. At the very least, you should mark your calendar every 60 days to have your filters replaced.

Check Your Furnace Usage

If you are not using your furnace regularly, a standard two-month guideline for filter changes may be best suited for you. However, being in the Chicagoland area, a furnace may not get a break for months. This may require that you change the filter more frequently — perhaps even every month or so. Continuous usage implies more air being drawn through the filter, which will clog the filter more quickly.

How Dense is the Filter?

A MERV rating (minimum efficiency reporting value) is given to filters, and ranges from 1 to 16. For residential furnaces, this rating varies from 6 to 12. A filter with a higher rating will have smaller holes, and the density count decreases as the rating decreases. Since the higher-rated filters have smaller holes, they tend to clog more quickly compared to lower-rated filters with larger holes, and they may need to be changed more frequently. In general, a filter with a MERV rating of six to nine needs to be replaced every 60 days or so, while a filter with a rating of 10 to 12 should be checked and replaced every 45 days or so.

Flat Filters Need to Be Changed More Frequently than Pleated Ones

Flat and pleated are the two most common types of furnace filters. Flat filters tend to clog faster as compared to their pleated counterparts since they have less surface area. As for the pleated filters, the deeper the pleats, the more surface area a filter has, and the more room it has to collect airborne particles. As a result, they do not clog as quickly as a flat filter. Pleated filters require fewer changes, and they can typically be replaced every 60 days or so. However, a flat filter is designed to be replaced about every 30 days.

Change More Often for Allergy Sufferers

It is recommended that you change the filter more frequently if your home has residents that are allergy-prone, or if you have pets. To keep allergy sufferers as comfortable as possible, we recommend using a filter with a higher MERV rating. Also, as a general rule of thumb, you should change the filter every 30 to 45 days to help alleviate allergies.

Have Your Furnace Maintained by a Professional Heating and Cooling Company in Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Are you looking for a furnace service in Glen Ellyn, Illinois? If so, Hearthstone Heating & Air Conditioning is the company to call.

For over 25 years, we have served numerous customers throughout the Glen Ellyn area. Whether you need routine maintenance or a major repair, our heating and cooling experts can get it done. That is the primary reason why we are the most trusted name in DuPage County.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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