How to Clean a Furnace Filter
Cleaning your furnace filter is an important home maintenance task. If your filter is dirty and clogged, the furnace will have to use more energy in order to take in and blow out warm air. This means you will have an even higher energy bill. Plus, with a dirty furnace filter, you are more likely to have problems with your furnace since it has to work twice as hard. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Reusable furnace filter
- De-greaser such as Simple Green
- Newspapers
- Garden hose with sprayer nozzle
Instructions
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1
Turn off the furnace. You can use the power switch on the unit itself or by disconnecting power to the furnace. Remove the panel on or near the furnace that covers the filter.
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2
Remove the filter from the furnace, noting which direction the air flows through it. Look for an arrow on the border of the filter; this shows the airflow direction. You will need to remember this when replacing the filter.
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3
Take the filter outside or in your garage. Place several layers of old newspapers on the ground, then set the filter on top of the papers.
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4
Spray the filter with de-greaser. Concentrate the spray on areas that are particularly dirty. Leave the filter on the papers, allowing the de-greaser to soak into it. Leave the degreaser on for 5 to 10 minutes if the filter is mildly dirty. Leave it on for up to one hour for an extremely dirty filter.
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5
Spray the filter with the garden hose in the opposite direction of airflow. Make sure to spray it thoroughly, removing as much dirt and de-greaser as possible. Allow the filter to dry completely and replace it into the furnace unit.
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Tips & Warnings
Only clean special, reusable furnace filters that have a metal surround. Cardboard filters should be replaced and thrown away.
