A furnace filter is an important part of your heating and cooling system. Typically located in your furnace somewhere between the air intake and the fan is a removable filter that needs special attention from the home owner. All heating and air conditioning filters need to be changed out, replaced or washed throughout the life of your system. Failing to do this will not only shorten the life of your system but it will also cause you to have unnecessary maintenance and repair costs. A dirty furnace filter will increase the cost of your utilities by restricting the amount of air it can push through the heating and air ducts causing your furnace to work harder and longer to heat or cool your home.

Designed originally to protect the motor and other internal components of your system the furnace filter can serve other purposes as well. In addition to stopping dust and other particles that could potentially damage the motor the it can also improve the airflow and efficiency of the system. Without an air conditioner filter your system would quickly clog with dust and burn up the motor due to lack of airflow. A cheap fiberglass filter will accomplish this as long as it is changed out every thirty days.

Though air conditioner filters were originally made to protect the inner components of the furnace system, a growing concern for the environment and air quality in general has caused filters to be redesigned to increase air quality in homes. These modern air filters accomplish everything that the fiberglass filter did but also catches more finite particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, viruses and other pollutants.

A good furnace system can replace the air in your home as many as 20 to 24 times in one day, giving your new furnace filter that many times to clean your air. As the quality and efficiency of a filter increases so does the price. Homes that use higher rated filters tend to stay healthy longer and the kids tend to have less allergies. These air filters are rated on what is called a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) Rating. In general the higher the number the better it is.