HEATING SEASON – QUICK TIP #1

Change your furnace air filter regularly! Doing so improves indoor air quality and extends the life of your HVAC equipment.

How do I know if I have a furnace or boiler?

A boiler uses hot water to heat the living space. The boiler uses a combustion chamber to pump steam into your radiators, sometimes called baseboards. Since boilers aren’t moving any air, they don’t need a filter.

A furnace uses warm air to heat your home. A furnace pushes the air through vents and registers throughout your home. Since the system is circulating air, all furnaces use air filters.

Why is it important to have a clean furnace air filter?

A dirty filter restricts the air flow into your HVAC system’s air handler. This restricted air flow places additional strain on the air handler, as well as the fan motor. Not only does this decrease efficiency by as much as 25%, but, over time, it can burn out the motor and cause your system to overheat or fail completely.

Keeping your furnace air filter clean will:

Prolong the life of your HVAC System
Increase the energy efficiency of your system
Improve indoor air quality
Lower the frequency of repairs

How Often Should I Change My Furnace Filter?

Your furnace air filter should be changed or cleaned every 90 days.

However, make it a habit to check the filter every 30 days.

Whether you need to change the filters every 3 months, or every month will depend on the conditions in your home.

Why you might need to change the filter more often:

Dust — If your indoor air is exceptionally dusty, perhaps due to construction or home improvement projects, your filter will get dirty faster.

Pets — They may be one of the family, but most pets shed fur and dander. Even if you vacuum often, a good amount of the hair and dander eventually ends up in your furnace filter.

Allergies and Asthma — Do any family members living in your home suffer from allergies or asthma? Clean, fresh air is especially important for anyone with breathing difficulties. Changing your furnace filter more often will help improve the overall indoor air quality for everyone.

How To Change (Or Clean) The Furnace Air Filter

Always turn off your furnace first.
Filters are located either inside the furnace or inside the return air vent.
Use a good quality air filter. A pleated air filter rated 8-12 on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale will not only keep your equipment cleaner but will also improve the indoor air quality.
Disposable filters are designed to be discarded and replaced with a new one. Before removing the dirty filter, pay attention to the position it is in before you take it out so you can easily replace it. Usually, there are arrows on the filter that indicate which direction to insert it in the furnace.
To clean a permanent filter, which typically has a plastic frame, gently vacuum off the debris. Then wipe it with a wet cloth. Dry thoroughly before putting it back into the furnace air vent. Always follow manufacturers cleaning instructions.

Trust Your Comfort to Levco

Whether it’s a furnace air filter, or other heating or cooling equipment, Levco technicians are among the elite in the industry and are ready to help you service or maintain your system for optimum performance.

For more than 40 years, Levco has earned the trust of homeowners and businesses in the community for being the most reliable source for fuel oil delivery, HVAC equipment maintenance, and energy solutions. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all your home or business HVAC service needs. Get in touch with a member of our team by calling (203) 533-8249 or filling out this form.

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LEVCO’s MISSION

TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, OFTEN BEFORE THEY EVEN KNOW THEY HAVE THEM – YOU CAN LEAN ON US!

Levco is the premier provider of heating & cooling service as well as fuel oil and propane delivery in Fairfield County, CT.

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CT Lic. 303607
HOD 194 / DOT 663660

55 Merritt Blvd, Trumbull, CT 06611

Phone: (203) 533-8249

Email: service@levcooil.com

Heating Season Quick Tip – Change your Furnace Air Filter