How to Maintain Furnace Filters

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Replacing or cleaning your furnace filter really isn't that difficult. It only takes a couple of short minutes and doesn't require fancy tools or equipment. When you consider the fact a poorly maintained filter is actually a health hazard to your family you begin to realize how important this small task really is.

Everyone should fit the task of swapping their furnace air filters into their monthly routine, think of it as you do mowing the lawn, it has to be done. There are two main varieties of furnace filter, disposable and non disposable. The reusable, non disposable varieties are way cheaper and surprisingly easy to maintain. Plus, over the course of its lifetime, a single reusable furnace filter will save you a great deal of money.

The following is a short, easy to follow filter changing guide.

1 - First of all, and by far the most safety critical step is to switch the gas or electricity supply off. The last thing you want is a nasty shock.

2 - Next you need to locate the furnace filters service panel. It's possible the door is locked with a special key so you should dig out the instructions manual to check the tools you'll need.

3 - Take a look inside and find the spongy panel, this is the filter. Take it out of the unit and hold it up to a light to see if you can see through it. A light source passing through is a good indication that the filter is in good condition and doesn't require heavy cleaning. Shake it off and reinsert it in the exact same position you found it in. If it is clogged up it's going to need a good clean through so take it out in the garden and hose it down to clear out all the dust and debris. Getting rid of all the blockages is really important.

If you replace the old filter with a new one make sure to reinsert the exact same furnace air filter. If you're reinserting the old one that you cleaned through you must ensure its dried right through. If you place a wet filter in the furnace it'll attract more dust and dirt and require changing again in a fraction of the usual time. As you can see, changing a furnace filter isn't a daunting and worrying task at all. It's actually a simple and easy task that mustn't be neglected.