How to Change Your Furnace Filter: A Guide to Clean Indoor Air

If the air quality in your home or business isn’t meeting your expectations, it’s probably time to replace the furnaces air filter. As we dive head first into winter, it’s crucial to ensure that your air quality remains top priority because after all, you’ll be spending a lot more time indoors.

By inspecting your furnace’s filter every one to two months, and regularly monitoring the air quality, you’ll keep the air in your residence or commercial building cleaner and save on maintenance costs for years to come. For healthier air flow, follow these simple steps to replace your furnace filter:

How to change a disposable filter

Before you begin, it’s crucial that you turn the furnace off. Generally, you can shut off the furnace via the cutoff switch, circuit breaker, or the switch on the fuse box.

1. Locate the filter.  It may be in a ceiling or wall filter grid, or it may be in the furnace cabinet.
2. Remove the contaminated filter from furnace or filter grid. The filter could be located inside the furnace or directly inside the return air vent. Most filters will illustrate the direction of airflow that points in the direction of airflow. To determine which way to install the new filter, mark the outside of the surface duct in coordination to the marking on the filter.
3. Locate the filter size printed on the cardboard frame. Record the size of the filter for future purchases at local hardware stores, HVAC suppliers, or home improvement centers.
4. Install new filter. On the frame of the new filter, locate the markings that indicate which side the filter should face to point in the direction of airflow. Gently slide the new filter in and reinstall the cover.

How to clean a reusable filter

Again, ensure the furnace is completely turned off.

1. Locate the filter.  It may be in a ceiling or wall filter grid, or it may be in the furnace cabinet.
2. Remove the blower door. In older furnaces, the filter may be located in the return air vent. For newer furnaces, the filter will be located inside the furnace or in a ceiling grid or wall grid.
3. Vacuum the dirty filter. To remove excess dust and dirt, use a regular vacuum and move around the entire filter to minimize substances that will contaminate the furnace.
4. Wash the filter. To ensure you don’t create more work, wash the filter outdoors using a hose to eliminate particles from the filters screen.  The direction of water flow should be opposite the direction of airflow. Before reinstalling, ensure the filter is completely dry.  This is very important.  Locate the markings on the filter that display which side of the filter must face the direction of airflow, and see if there are metal hoops that are designed to hold the filter in its proper position. Replace the blower door back on the furnace if necessary.

To ensure your furnace runs efficiently and the air quality in your residential or commercial building remains clean and healthy, replacing your furnace’s filter at least every 1 to 2 months. Depending on the number of pets or allergies in your residence, replacing the filter may be needed more frequently. 

So the air quality in your residential or commercial building remains clean, check in with The Energy Experts of Pro Energy Consulting each month for more valuable information on these crucial topics.