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We can all breathe a sigh of relief that the cold weather finally gave way to spring. Hopefully, a comfortable, carefree summer is not far away.
There’s even a chance you’ve powered down your furnace for the season. But have you checked its air filter lately? If not, you should do so now since your furnace has been running overtime through a northern Connecticut winter. During the heating season, you should ideally check your filter monthly.
But having a dirty, clogged air filter can also affect your home in the warmer months.
Why is it so important to check your furnace’s air filter, especially when it isn’t the heating season? Here are three problems that a dirty filter can cause:
Dirty filters restrict airflow. This makes your HVAC system work harder to heat and cool your home. You’ll be less comfortable, and your energy bills will go up.
Dirt and dust will get into your heating equipment. This buildup isn’t good for your system. Over time, it will lead to expensive repairs.
It will negatively affect your indoor air quality. Dirty, clogged filters lead to dust, mold, and allergens circulating through your home. You might experience dry, itchy skin and worsened allergies as a result.
Luckily, checking your air filter is extremely simple, and replacing it, if necessary, is affordable.
Your furnace’s air filter can generally be found in a rack at the return or the entrance to the blower compartment. You can confirm its location with your furnace owner’s manual. Sometimes instructions are printed on the furnace itself.
Turn off your furnace and slide the filter out. Then, hold it up to the light. If you can’t see the light shining through, it’s dirty and needs to be cleaned or replaced.
An air filter with a metal or plastic frame can likely be washed. Disposable filters have cardboard frames. You can buy a replacement filter at almost any home store. It won’t cost much to replace, but the benefits of having a clean filter for your furnace are priceless!
Homestead Comfort is northern Connecticut’s most trusted provider of heating oil and HVAC services.
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