How Do I Change My Furnace Filter?

Posted: November 4, 2024

Some Filters Just Need to Be Cleaned

With proper maintenance, the average heating oil or propane gas furnace can last 15 years or longer. One way to make sure your system reaches its life span and runs efficiently is to perform an easy, do-it-yourself maintenance task. This involves the simple task of either changing or cleaning your furnace’s air filter.

How often do you need to change or clean your filter? It varies according to its size. A small two-inch filter should be generally checked about once every 1-3 months. Larger filters can go about every 6-9 months until you need to inspect them.

Changing Your Furnace Air Filter

If you see that the filter’s surface is gray and covered in dust buildup, you should go ahead and change/clean it. Another sign of a dirty filter is seeing more dust circulating around your home when the furnace is running. Here is what you should know.

Filters are found either inside the furnace or inside the return air vent.
Many filter models are made to be discarded and replaced with a new one.
If your filter has a plastic frame, however, it can be cleaned and reused.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and be sure to shut the furnace off before taking out the filter.
Slide out the air filter and either clean it or replace it with a new one.
Slide the new or cleaned filter back into the filter compartment. Be sure to follow the printed arrow on the frame that shows the direction of the airflow.

Problems Caused by a Clogged Air Filter

When your furnace has a dirty air filter, there is less room for air to flow through your system and home. Your furnace will need to work harder to circulate air, which will result in an increase in your heating bills. Your home will become less comfortable, and the indoor air quality will degrade.
An extremely dirty air filter can make your furnace work so hard that it can cause premature wear and tear on parts. This can lead to a total breakdown and an expensive repair.
A dirty air filter can cause cooling problems too. Lack of airflow in your central A/C can result in the cooling coil freezing inside your air conditioner because it’s working so hard just to cool the air inside your home. A frozen coil can be a very costly repair.

If you’re not sure how to change the filter yourself but would like to, ask our technician the next time he is in your home for a service call. We always start you off with clean filter when we perform a furnace tune-up.

Repair Leaky Ducts

Besides making sure your furnace air filter is not dirty, another way to improve home energy efficiency is to get your ductwork sealed to prevent air leaks. If parts of your ductwork are leaking air, this could increase your annual energy costs by as much as 30%. Your home will also not feel as comfortable as it should be. The quality of your indoor air will also deteriorate.

We have a proven method to repair leaky ductwork. The Aeroseal process we use is designed to seal the leaks in your duct system—even the ones hidden behind walls and under your home’s insulation. These hidden areas account for about 90% of your total ductwork.

Aeroseal has been used in thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and government installations throughout the country and the world. The process usually takes less than one day, and we will provide you with a “Certificate of Completion” that illustrates the before and after results.

Gas & Oil Furnace Service in Broomhall PA and Beyond

Wilson Oil & Propane is the company that people in the Delaware Valley region of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey can depend on when they need HVAC maintenance or HVAC repair of their heating systems. Our service area includes the town of Broomhall, PA, along with many other communities in the Delaware Valley.

We have a talented crew of professional technicians who can manage all types of HVAC service, from annual maintenance to emergency heating system repairs to top-notch heating equipment replacement.

Become a Wilson Oil and Propane customer and start meeting The People You Can Trust.