The average American family wastes over $100 on their energy bill every month due to lack of energy efficiency.

One of the biggest energy-wasting appliances in the American household is the furnace and a simple change of the air filter could help to cut back on all of the money you’re wasting every month!

A furnace filter replacement is a simple Do-It-Yourself project that doesn’t take any longer than 10 minutes to complete.

Furnace Filter Replacement Steps

1. Before You Replace Your Filter

To find out what size filter you need, you need to turn your HVAC system off before accessing the filter. This will protect your HVAC system from being exposed to any loose dirt or debris that could potentially harm your system.

After you’ve turned off your system, you should locate your filter cartridge, which you can find on the manual that came with your furnace. Pull the air filter out of your furnace and measure the dimensions with a tape measure (H X L X W).

2. Buying Your Filter

You can get an air filter for your furnace at a local parts provider. Before you purchase your filter, make sure that you’re buying an air filter with the same exact measurements as your old air filter.

3. Inserting Your Air Filter

Take the old air filter out and slide in your new air filter. Look at the frame of your old filter and make a mental note of the direction the arrow on the frame of the filter is pointing in.

The air filter that you’re installing was only created to filter air through one direction, so properly inserting the new air filter in the right direction will ensure that air is being properly filtrated. If not loaded correctly, dirt on the filter will start to collect and the air filter will collapse under the weight of the debris.

4. After You Replace Your Filter

Once you’ve inserted your new air filter, turn your furnace back to the ‘on’ position. Your furnace is now ready to be used again!

How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?

The frequency of your air filter changes depends on several factors, including:

  • The type of air filter that you’re using
  • The overall quality of your indoor air
  • If you have any pets and how many pets you do have
  • How many people are living in your home
  • Air pollution around your home

If you live at home alone with no pets, you should change your air filter every six to twelve months. A household with one pet should change their filter every 60 days, but if you have multiple pets, change your filter between every 20 and 30 days.

Let’s Talk About It

A furnace filter replacement can help you to save thousands of dollars every year and properly maintain the health of your HVAC system. Contact Sewell Electric Company if you need an HVAC system installed or if you have any HVAC questions!