Furnace filters and problems associated with furnace filters.

Furnace filters: Many service calls we are called out on are related to dirty furnace filters. Furnace filters that are restricted due to dirt build causes many furnace related problems.

The furnace manufactures recommend changing your furnace filter monthly, however we know that many homeowners neglect that task. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life overlooking the furnace filters is not hard.

Pleated three month furnace filters.

The general consumer who purchases the pleated furnace filters assumes that because the wrapping says three months, that they don’t have to change the filter for three months. Beep -beep, wrong answer Alice! The furnace wrapping states “may be used up to three months. What that means if you have a low dust or dirt problem in your home or business and you check the furnace filter monthly and its relatively clean you may continue using that filter.

Furnace filters restriction test

If you use a pleated furnace filter and have a easy way to change your filter, try this TEST. While the furnace is running pay attention to the blower motor sound. While listening to the wind noise of the blower motor slowly remove the furnace filter. What you will hear is a higher wind noise when the filter is removed. The higher wind noise is good!

Reverse the steps with the furnace still running; slowly insert the furnace filter and listen to the reduction or restriction noises of the blower motor. What this tells you is that the pleated filter stresses your blower motor. This in fact shortens the life of the blower motor as well as shortening the life of the furnace.

Beware!

Some heating and air conditioning guys will tell you that the pleated filters are the greatest. Of course they will, they are hoping you never change the filter so they can come back on a service call. Two things they will tell you are; your furnace filter was clogged due lack of changing, and then the second thing they will tell you is the furnace repair cost for your mistake…

Truth..

At Around the Town Heating and Cooling we always tell our customers to purchase the cheaper blue furnace filter and change them monthly regardless of the condition. Look at it this way, a standard pleated furnace filter cost about $8.00 for one. The average cost of a furnace repair due to a dirty pleated filter is about $200.00 all the way to a new furnace because of a cracked heat exchanger.

Now the cheaper bulb filters cost about $ 24.00 for twelve. Answer me this” what’s cheaper? $24.00 and changing your furnace filter monthly or $200.00 up to a new furnace installation?

HISTORY OF THE FURNACE FILTERS.
FURNACE FILTERS HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE BLOWER MOTOR OF THE OLDER STYLE FURNACES BACK IN THE DAY.  WHEN AIR CONDITIONING BECAME AFFORDABLE TO THE GENERAL CONSUMER THE FURNACE FILTER PROVIDED TWO PURPOSES PROTECTING THE BLOWER MOTOR AND PROTECTING THE EVAPORATOR COIL FROM BECOMMING CLOGGED UP.  OVER THE YEARS THE MANUFATURES OF THE HVAC EQUIPMENT SUGGESTS THE FURNACE FILTERS ARE FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY. THAT TOO IS NOW A FACT!

Big Ed

$50 OFF COUPON

Schedule HVAC Service

Call or email to talk to a technician. Landlords & Tenants, please fill out this form to request HVAC work on tenant properties.