How Important is the Gas Furnace Air Filter?
Winter’s chill makes us rely on our gas furnaces more than any other season. In fact, your Georgia gas furnace is truly essential to your winter comfort. Yet it’s easy to forget a simple but crucial maintenance step: changing your furnace air filter. The gas furnace air filter affects more than just the air you breathe. The filter also ties directly to furnace efficiency and how much you spend on natural gas in Georgia. So, let’s warm up to the idea of changing your gas furnace air filter this winter.
Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly
It may not look the part, but the air filter is a key component of your natural gas furnace and HVAC system. It’s true: that little filter has a big job to do. Let’s get into some specifics.
Firstly, the air filter is an important line of defense for your natural gas furnace. All the dirt, dust, and other particles it stops don’t get into your furnace and gunk up the works.
Secondly, everything the filter catches, including airborne allergens like pet dander, don’t end up in the air you breathe. So, a well-maintained air filter for your natural gas furnace is critical for indoor air quality.
Finally, your air filter is a main player in furnace efficiency. A dirty filter restricts airflow and makes the furnace run longer to push air through when warming up the house. The longer your furnace runs, the higher your natural gas bill will be.
So, to make sure the filter is doing its job, how often do you need to change it? Specifics vary for each type of filter. But a good rule of thumb is to check your filter once a month and change the filter every three months, according to Energy Star.
Use the Right Kind of Air Filter
Now, when you change your air filter, not just any one will do. But how do you choose? You can’t go wrong if you simplify your options down to the MERV rating.
A lower MERV rating, 1-4, will have great air flow but lets through too much debris that can damage your furnace. On the other hand, if you go too high, your furnace will have to run much longer trying to push air through the filter. So, unless you have a system equipped for a higher rating, mid-range filters, around MERV 8-11, are the right fit for most homes.
You can also refer to your furnace’s manual or an HVAC technician to learn the correct filter type and replacement.
Air Filter Maintenance Saves Money
Now that you know the importance of changing your natural gas furnace air filter, set up a monthly reminder to check your filter. Many smart thermostat include filter reminders, making it so much easier. Remember that this little maintenance hack saves money by extending your furnace life and maximizing efficiency.
You can save even more money on heating costs by getting a cheap fixed rate natural gas plan. Shop and compare the best natural gas plans in Georgia at https://www.georgiagassavings.com.