How to Clean or Replace a Furnace Filter

Has it been more than a month since you ventured into your furnace's filter area? Then it's probably time to clean or replace this dust and dirt catcher to prevent you from sneezing your way into winter mornings. A clean filter maximizes your furnace's efficiency and longevity-- and minimizes your energy bills.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden Hose
• New Furnace Filter
• Vacuum Or Broom

1. If the floor or area near the furnace is a dust-bunny breeding area, vacuum or sweep prior to replacing the filter.

2. Locate the service panel, usually on the furnace's lower front or side.

3. Turn off the furnace, then gently pop open or pull down the panel door with your hands; tools usually aren't needed.

4. Locate the filter--a framed-mesh rectangular screen inserted either horizontally or vertically near the intake-outtake blower.

5. 

   Slide the filter screen out (see A).

6. Check for brown, dusty buildup on the mesh screen (or a screen you're unable to see through).

7. 

   If you have a reusable plastic-frame or metal-frame filter, use a hose to rinse away the dust particles on the screen in the backyard or driveway (see B). Let it dry, then return it to the furnace.

8. If you have a disposable cardboard-frame filter, write down the size, then throw it away. Buy a new furnace filter of the same size (available at hardware and home supply stores).

Tips & Warnings

• If someone in your home has allergies, you may want to consider an allergenic reduction filter.
• To keep the air in your home healthy, replace your furnace filter monthly during chilly months and at least once a season.
• Be sure you turn off the furnace before opening the front panel.
• Do not use the furnace until a clean filter is installed.

[furnace-filters]

on 11/12/2009 Just remember this when ordering.

All filters have a nominal size
(14x20) and actual size (13.5x19.5). That's why when ordering a filter you should always match up your needed size with the actual size of the filter.
http://www.filters-now.com/

[jf1003]

on 2/22/2009 Check the actual size of the filter you are replacing, I have found a big difference and have bought a filter that had the same nominal 20" size but didn't fit since the actual size of the original was only 19 3/8 " and the replacement was 19 3/4 " while they both had the 20" nominal size. The opening was only 19 1/2"

[schwager]

on 5/31/2007 I found a great website that makes it easy to remember to change your furnace filter, it is called rememberthefilter.com they have great deals! I signed up for a service plan and get a MERV rated pleated filter every 90 days for only 4.99, check it out my filter showed up in three days. It's much better then going to the hardware store in search of your size.

on 11/22/2005 Once you find out the filter size in your furnace, replace them once a month (if they're the cheap filter). Pleated filters are better, if your filter is in the ceiling register. Also, have your A/C unit serviced by a professional HVAC tech 1 to 2 times a year. Doing these two things will help prolong the life of your A/C, and help cut down on your energy costs. On long or short vacation trips or when no one is home, set your thermostat anywhere from 78 to 85 degrees in summer months. Setting it to 80 will keep the house cool enough throughout the day without having the A/C turn on and off every 15-20 minutes, when the thermostat is set below 78 degrees.

To maintain a cool house, buy a 5-7 day programmable thermostat and have your A/C tech install it for you. He will show you how to use it, so you never have to mess with changing the temperature setting all the time. The programmable thermostat controls the coolness of the house, so you don't have to.