Is your furnace filter DIRTY? Or WORSE?

Do you know the last time you changed your air filter?  Do you even know where your furnace filter is located?

THIS IS BRIAN AND DAN LETTING YOU KNOW THAT IT IS TIME TO CHANGE YOUR DIRTY, DISGUSTING FURNACE FILTER!!

Here are three very compelling reasons you want to change your furnace filter right now (and maybe even a couple of times a year):

1: Clean Systems Last Longer

Dirt accumulates i1n filters over time, especially during summer and winter when you use your heating and cooling systems more frequently. Build up clogs your filters and then air has a harder time passing through. As a result, the system has to work harder potentially causing the system to require extra maintenance or even shortening the lifespan of the furnace.

2: Reduce Energy Consumption and Costs

When your filter is clogged and your system has to work harder, it requires more energy.  According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling make up almost half of our home utility bills. Replacing your furnace filter regularly means your system won’t have to work so hard and you won’t be spending money using extra energy unnecessarily.

3: Cleaner, Healthier Air

Poor air quality can cause symptoms such as irritated eyes, sneezing and respiratory problems. People who suffer from asthma and allergies are significantly affected by poor indoor air quality. Homes with pets often have extra dirt and dander in the air. Changing your air filter regularly can prevent dust, dirt, mold spores, soot, smoke, bacteria and allergens from building up in the inside of your home.

Before you run out to purchase new air filters, you’ll want to know a little something about what differentiates one filter from another.  

In addition to purchasing the correct size (this is paramount), you’ll want to take note of the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of the filter you purchase.  

MERV ratings are on a scale of one to 20 depending on the minimum size of the particles a filter can be expected to capture.

To give you an idea of what types of particles each MERV rating can be expected to filter, we searched the internet and found this graphic that we painstakingly copied and pasted for your benefit:

Higher and highest MERV ratings are not necessarily better for every situation. The range in this graphic is likely good enough for residential use. And, of course, bear in mind that the higher the MERV rating, the more expensive the filter.

You may also want to look at online furnace filter resellers like FilterBuy.com or FiltersFast.com or DiscountFilters.com. Some of these sites will let you set up regular deliveries so you receive new filters at the frequency you desire (how often you like to replace your filter). If you set up an ongoing order, air filters just show up on your doorstep every 3 or 6 or 12 months – just like magic!

Your health, the health of your family and the health of your house are important to Brian and Dan.  We love our clients and feel it is our duty as real estate professionals to do everything we can to keep you safe, healthy and happy.

Feel free to offer comments below or contact us if you want to say “hello” or have any questions. 

We’d love to hear from you!