Your furnace has trouble heating your home when the filter is dirty.
Don Fugler, a researcher with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp., said we stir up dust in our homes whenever we walk, sit or do any other activity. The most efficient way to clean the air is to use a high efficiency particulate absorbing or HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner, but there are other ways to filter contaminants. One common method is by equipping the furnace with an air filter and changing it regularly.
Purpose
Furnace filters improve home air quality by filtering contaminants out of the air, while the heating system is running. The dirt gets trapped while the fan is running. Over time, the filter gets visibly clogged with dust, mold spores, animal dander and other particles. It must be replaced or it can cause problems instead of improving the environment.
Types
Jeanne Huber of "The Washington Post" explains there are two main types of furnace filters. Less expensive filters are basically fiberglass pads with a lot of room between the fibers. Deluxe filters are more expensive and look like pleated felt. They have an electrostatic charge that improves their ability to catch dirt.
Effects
Fiberglass filters let larger particles pass through than the pleated kind. Huber states laboratory research showed pleated filters catch up to 90 percent of pet dander and mold spores from the air. The electrostatic charge helps them catch particles below three mircrons. These smaller air contaminants are particularly dangerous because they can lodge themselves deep in lung tissue.
The Allergies at Home allergy information website warns dirty filters no longer do their job. They may even hurt air quality because mold or bacteria may grown on an especially filthy filter.
Time Frame
Manufacturers typically recommend changing pleated furnace filters every three months. Alan Veeck, executive director of the trade group the National Air Filtration Association, explains this is very important because dirty pleated filters severely restrict air flow to your furnace. It will run longer because it cannot move air properly. This causes a higher electric or gas bill.
The effect is different for fiberglass filters, which many people replace monthly. They often become more efficient as they get dirty because larger dirt particles start to trap smaller ones. They can often be left in place longer than a month without negatively affecting furnace efficiency or air quality.
Warning
Manufacturers' suggested time frames for furnace filter replacement do not work for everyone. For example, your filters may get dirty much faster if you have numerous pets or there are several heavy smokers in the house. Inspect the filter visually every month and replace it if is obviously dark and clogged with filth, recommends Robert Moffitt, American Lung Association spokesman. This will significantly improve your home's air quality.
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