- The filter is visibly dirty. Certainly if you can't see the material of the filter itself, it should be replaced.
- The heating/cooling system is running more frequently than normal.
- You home is more dusty than normal.
- You notice strange smells, or a burning smell near you HVAC unit.
How can I tell if my furnace filter needs changing?
How Can I Tell That My Furnace Filter Needs to Be Changed?Filter is a different color. ... Energy bills are higher than usual. ... Low air flow. ... Rise in physical issues. ... Headaches. ... Allergies. ... Carbon monoxide poisoning. ... Forces HVAC systems to work harder.More items...•
How often do you really need to change your furnace filter?
In general, this is how often changing furnace filters needs to be done: For 1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, replace them every 9 to 12 months.
How do you know when it's time to change a filter?
6 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Car Air FilterA Dirty or Discolored Filter. One of the easiest ways to spot a filter that needs changing is to actually take a look at it. ... Odd Engine Noises. ... Check Engine Light. ... Poor Performance. ... Weak Fuel Economy. ... Black Smoke from the Exhaust.
Do furnace filters really last 3 months?
Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
What happens if you dont change furnace filter?
Without a new air filter, the furnace will overheat every time it starts up again. This is referred to as short cycling. Dirty furnace filters cause your furnace to work harder than it should due to a decrease in airflow. The harder your furnace works, the quicker its parts will wear out and need repairs.
How often should I change my furnace filter in the winter?
Professionals, like our team at Airco Service, Inc. say that you should change your air filter at least every three months. During the winter, when you rely on your heating system more, you want to increase that frequency. During the winter, when the system is in constant use, change it out every month.
How do I know if my air filter is dirty in my house?
One clever way to determine if the air filter is dirty is to do the "white sheet test." This involves hanging a clean white sheet approximately 5 inches away from one of the vents for at least one hour. If the sheet turns gray, you've got a filthy air filter. The grayer the sheet, the dirtier the filter.
How do I know if my air filter is bad?
8 Dirty Air Filter Symptoms: How to Know When to Clean Your Air...Air Filter Appears Dirty. ... Decreasing Gas Mileage. ... Your Engine Misses or Misfires. ... Strange Engine Noises. ... Check Engine Light Comes On. ... Reduction in Horsepower. ... Flames or Black Smoke from Exhaust Pipe. ... Strong Fuel Smell.
How dirty should a furnace air filter look?
In all cases, the furnace filter should be dirty on the side that the air comes into the furnace from. If your air filters are dirty in some other fashion, it is likely your furnace is not working properly, or the filter was installed incorrectly.
What happens when a furnace filter is dirty?
A clogged furnace air filter will negatively affect the airflow throughout your house and HVAC system. The lack of fresh air in your furnace will cause the heat exchanger to become too warm and deactivate. Dirty filters indirectly cause short cycling issues and will make it hard to keep your home warm.
Do furnace filters make a difference?
When it comes to furnace filters, the rule of thumb for many HVAC professionals is “the cheaper the better.” HVAC systems are not designed to improve air quality in the home, and filters are important to keep the furnace and air conditioner working properly.
How many filters does a furnace have?
Typically, a house will have 2 air filters in their intake vents. In some cases, there can be more or fewer depending on the square footage of the home or apartment and the number of floors that need to be supported by the central air system.
How long do furnace filters last?
Change Your Filters Regularly For example, a one inch furnace filter should be changed out every one to three months. A three to four-inch filter can last for six to nine months. If you have a thick five to six-inch filter, it can last from nine to twelve months.
Do furnace filters make a difference?
When it comes to furnace filters, the rule of thumb for many HVAC professionals is “the cheaper the better.” HVAC systems are not designed to improve air quality in the home, and filters are important to keep the furnace and air conditioner working properly.
What happens when a furnace filter is dirty?
A clogged furnace air filter will negatively affect the airflow throughout your house and HVAC system. The lack of fresh air in your furnace will cause the heat exchanger to become too warm and deactivate. Dirty filters indirectly cause short cycling issues and will make it hard to keep your home warm.
Can a dirty furnace filter make you sick?
If the filter's dirty, everything past the filter is dirty too, including the air you breathe. This pumps your home full of dust and allergens. Speaking of allergens, they can cause a number of physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, tightness in your chest, and a mess of cold symptoms you may not be able to shake.
How often should you replace your furnace filter?
The general recommendation is that furnace filters should be replaced at least once every 90 days.
How long is a furnace filter good?
A furnace filter will last as long as the medium can collect airborne contaminants. Once the medium is fully saturated it will no longer be able to...
How often should you change a 1-inch furnace filter?
A 1-inch furnace filter should be changed at least once every 1 to 3 months or every 90 days.
How often should you change a 2-inch furnace filter?
A 2-inch furnace filter needs to be changed every 1-3 months.
How often should you change a 4-inch furnace filter?
A 4-inch furnace filter should be changed sometime between six and nine months.
How often should you change a 5-inch furnace filter?
You can wait 9 to 12 months before needing to replace a 5-in furnace filter.
How often should you change a furnace filter in winter months?
During the winter when the furnace is used more often, you’ll need to replace the furnace filter more frequently. It’s not uncommon for furnace fil...
How often should you change a Honeywell furnace filter?
A Honeywell furnace filter is going to have the same filter replacement recommendations as standard filters. Just be careful not to confuse Honeywe...
How often should you change a Carrier furnace filter?
A Carrier furnace filter has similar filter replacement recommendations. Carrier’s fiberglass furnace filters should be changed every 30 days. Thei...
How often should you change an Aprilaire furnace filter?
Aprilaire furnace filters tend to last a little longer than the norm. The manufacturer recommends changing their filters every 6 to 12 months.
You Are Getting Sick
As mentioned previously, air filters are designed to remove contaminants in the air. In the case of an air filter being clogged, the contaminated air will make its way inside the house, leading to several respiratory diseases. With that said, if you notice that you are regularly getting sick and there is something unusual with the air inside.
You Notice A Burning Smell
If you come across a burning smell, it might be either due to the overheating blower motor or due to the actual filters. We have already mentioned earlier that clogged furnace filters put the components under extreme stress. This leads to overheating since the furnace requires proper airflow through the system.
Less Heat, Longer Runtime
The majority of homeowners are not aware of the fact that furnace filters are directly related to the intensity of the heat produced. If the air filters are clogged, the furnace will take longer to warm up the house.
How often should furnace filters be replaced?
The general recommendation is that furnace filters should be replaced at least once every 90 days.
What happens if you don't change your furnace filter?
If you don’t regularly change your furnace filter, you can end up with a furnace that doesn’t operate as efficiently and will likely have a shortened lifespan. This ends up costing homeowners money in the short-term since more energy is used to heat and cool the home.
What is the furnace part of?
The furnace is part of your HVAC air filtration system responsible for taking cold air in and heating it up before it’s blown throughout the rest of the home through the air handler.
Why do furnaces have filters?
The furnace filter is used to clear the air of contaminants and dust just before air is pulled into the furnace system. The air passes through the filter material where contaminants are trapped. This keeps contaminants out of the furnace and HVAC equipment that’s further down the line.
Why would a furnace stop working without a filter?
Without a filter the furnace would cease to operate rather quickly because the equipment would be too gunked up to operate properly.
How long does an air bear furnace filter last?
Some Air Bear furnace filters can last six to nine months before needing to be replaced.
How thick is a furnace filter?
Furnace filters are typically 1-, 2-, 4- and 5-inches thick. The thicker a furnace filter is, the more it can hold and the longer it will last. Below is a quick reference for filter thickness and change intervals:
How do you change a furnace filter?
Changing the filter is a fairly easy task. Again, consult your manual for proper procedure, but typically the process for how to change a furnace filter goes as follows:
How long do air filters last?
These filters, like the E-Z Flow Air Filters (available on Amazon ), are designed to be thrown away after one to two months.
What is a HEPA filter?
Note: Some filters—in both disposable and reusable varieties—are rated as “antimicrobial” or “high-efficiency particulate air” (HEPA) and are specially treated to trap microorganisms, including bacteria, mildew, fungus, mold, yeast, and algae. If someone in your family has allergies, it may be worth investing in this filter type.
What is the most expensive air filter?
The most expensive filters are reusable electrostatic filters, which are designed to trap even smoke and smaller airborne particles. Options like the 6-stage Electrostatic Air Filters (available on Amazon) are able to be rinsed clean with a garden hose as needed and reused for several years if properly maintained.
Signs your furnace filter needs changing
The filter is noticeably gray in color, and you can see dirt and dust built up on the filter media.
Why Change Your Furnace Filter
The furnace filter is a key player in home comfort and indoor air quality. Changing your furnace filter regularly offers the following benefits for homeowners:
How Often Do I Need to Change My Furnace Filter?
The frequency of filter changes needed will depend on the recommendation of the filter’s manufacturer, its efficiency, your HVAC system use, and characteristics of your household.
About Furnace Filters
A furnace filter’s job is to remove contaminants from your indoor air and keep air flowing properly through your heating and cooling system.
How Often Should I Replace My Furnace Filter?
You should change your furnace filter according to the schedule recommended by the filter’s manufacturer. In most cases, the furnace filter should be changed every three months. The need to change the filter can vary based on system usage and factors relating to your household, such as the presence of pets or smokers.
How to Find Your Furnace Filter Size
Furnace filters come in a variety of sizes, and your forced air heating and cooling system needs the proper filter size to operate correctly. Use only the appropriate filter for your system, or else airflow may be obstructed and contaminants will not be removed properly.
How to Change Your Furnace Filter
To change your furnace filter, follow these easy steps! This job can be completed in just a few minutes!
Search HVAC.com for Furnace Filter Help
HVAC.com is the leading HVAC resource site, and we have tons of information available to answer all your furnace filter questions. If you need assistance with changing your furnace filter, contact a local heating and cooling professional by using our Contractor Directory.
